Dr Brink praises relationship with third sector partners

Saturday 12 August 2023

Commissioned services are working well for the health and care sector, according to the senior leader within Guernsey’s Public Health department.

It comes as the Policy & Resources Committee announced it is possibly delaying a major debate on funding and key infrastructure project from September to October.

Its preliminary policy paper, debated in July, noted that to reduce the cost of public services effective changes such as commissioning should be investigated wherever possible.

Dr Nicola Brink, Medical Officer of Health, was full of praise for the work of commissioned services in healthcare which she labelled a close working relationship that public health looks forward to continuing.

“The Health Improvement Commission is a very valuable partner of Public Health, and we work extremely closely with [HIC] on several initiatives. That includes the combined substance use strategy and the healthy weight strategy."

When asked if there are any concerns about a change in relationship or modified funding for commissioned services, Dr Brink said it’s a question for “the wider political field” and not Public Health.

“What I can say from my perspective, I'm very encouraged with our relationship with the Health Improvement Commission. For example, during the pandemic, they pivoted a lot of their activities to the eat a rainbow activity, exercise at home… they've been a very flexible partner.”

But the praise didn’t stop at the Commission, as health and care services rely on a network of third sector and charity organisations to deliver necessary and effective programmes across the Bailiwick.

“We have a number of third sector partners which we have very good relationships with who are delivering excellent services for us,” Dr Brink said.

Pictured: The Commission has been running for five years.

The Health Improvement Commission was launched in 2018 to take over operational delivery of various workstreams.

It also delivers initiatives, funds community-led projects and services, develops and implements campaigns, develops resources, provides education and advocates for health.

Some of the things it has achieved so far include the development of a refined substance use service for prisoners, enhancing stop smoking programmes, raise awareness on safe alcohol consumption, and approval to regulate e-cigarettes.

During covid the Commission also assisted with contact tracing and developing messaging for the public on staying well in the circumstances.

In 2020 it undertook research to gauge the levels of physical activity in children, with concerning results found for girls with only one in three meeting the national recommendations for daily exercise and activity.

This area was noted in the latest Medical Officer of Health report to be an area that requires “continued focus”. Dr Brink herself said the work done so far is encouraging and there are “positive” moves to promote activity for girls and young women.

A public and political storm erupted when the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture tentatively proposed reducing the levels of funding given to the Guernsey Sports Commission. It has since said any decision is still up in the air with further consultation underway.

Nothing will be clear to the public until P&R publish its ‘Funding & Investment Plan’ in September.