Agenda item

Councillor Steven Kelly, Cabinet Member for Individuals, introduced the report

The report before Cabinet sought approval to enter into the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the provision of public health advice to the Havering Clinical Commissioning Group (HCCG). It was reported that the MOU would come into force from 1 April 2013 and underpin the Council’s responsibility to provide public health advice to NHS commissioners, which, in Havering, is the HCCG.

It was noted that the Council was also obliged to accept the transfer of relevant staff and public health assets from North East London and City cluster of Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), due to the statutory transfer of responsibilities under the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

Finally, the report provided a general update on the progress made to support the successful transfer of public health into the Council, as part of the changes introduced through the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

Reasons for the decision:

The provision of public health advice to health commissioners is a mandated service, so it must be provided and underpinned by an appropriate agreement.

Other options considered:

There is a statutory obligation to provide the service and the departmental guidance recommends a compact or Memorandum of Understanding with the CCG. This is consistent with the spirit of collaborative partnership working the Council is keen to further develop with HCCG.

Cabinet:

1.    Agreed that a MOU (drafted on the basis of Department of Health guidance) be entered into by the Director of Public Health for the provision of public health advice to HCCG in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, subject to annual review and, in the event of statutory changes, termination.

2.    Noted the transfer of relevant staff and public health assets from North East London and City cluster of PCTs, as mandated by the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

3.    Authorised the acting Assistant Chief Executive to accept the novation from the PCT of contracts relating to smoking cessation, the healthy child programme and sexual health services insofar as they relate to Havering.

4.    Noted the Council’s current position of readiness for the transfer of the public health function from 1 April 2013.