Agenda and minutes

Ruby Bhattal – Michelle Lawson attended as a substitute

Alison Challenger – David Johns attended as a substitute

Carolyn Kus  

None

To confirm the Minutes of the public part of the meeting held on 22 February 2021.

The Board approved the minutes of the public section of the meeting held on 22 February 2021 as an accurate record.

David Johns, Consultant in Public Health, gave an update on Nottingham’s Outbreak Control Plan, highlighting the following information:

a)  There have been 304 cases in the last seven days, which is a rate of 91.3% per 100,000 population. 

b)  This is an improving position, with a 42% reduction in the rate compared with the rate for the preceding seven days which was 157.4%.

c)  The rate in Nottingham remains higher than the England average but the gap continues to narrow. 

d)  The number of cases amongst those aged 60 years or over has significantly reduced.

e)  Two additional asymptomatic testing sites have opened, at the Portland Leisure Centre and the Clifton Community Centre.  The opening days and times for these sites vary but booking is not required.  The sites are open to everyone but households/ bubbles with children at school and those who have to leave their home to work are particularly encouraged to attend.

f)  In accordance with the ‘roadmap’ set out by Government, schools reopened face to face to all pupils from 8 March but there is still a ‘stay at home’ instruction in place.  If Government tests are met, then non-essential retail outlets, outdoor attractions, indoor leisure facilities and personal care services will be able to reopen from 12 April.  It is important that as restrictions are eased, people continue to follow the guidance fully.  

Vanessa MacGregor, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control Public Health England - Midlands, spoke to the Board about issues relating to virus mutation.  She highlighted the following information:

g)  All viruses mutate over time and this is happening with the Covid-19 virus, and this can result in new variants that can be passed on.  Most changes are very small with little impact on the virus or the people who get the disease, and the prevention measures remain the same.  However, some changes can enable the virus to spread more easily and this can become a cause of concern.

h)  The Government is monitoring changes in the virus to identify any ‘variants of concern’.  The Covid-19 Genomics UK Consortium looks at a proportion of all Covid cases and this allows new variants to be picked up in the community.  Variants are also identified through targeted testing e.g. testing all those entering the UK from southern Africa.

i)  There are a number of variants currently in circulation and details of these can be found on the Gov.UK website.  Some are designated as ‘variants of concern’ and some are ‘variants under investigation’.  Variants of concern are subject to more intensive investigation.

j)  Variant VOC-202012/01, commonly known as the ‘Kent Variant’, is the most dominant variant present in the UK and accounts for 98% of all the samples that are sequenced.  There is a variant originating in South Africa that, as of 8 March, had 310 confirmed cases in the UK and all entrants to the UK from southern Africa are tested for that variant.  There are two variants originating in Brazil.  There are two other  ...  view the full minutes text for item 203.

a)  Nottinghamshire Police

b)  Environmental Health

c)  NHS

d)  Education

Steven Cooper, Nottinghamshire Police, gave an update on the work of the Police in the City since the last Board meeting.  He highlighted the following information:

a)  During the previous week over 100 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued, mainly for gatherings and parties of over 15 people in residential settings.  There were also a few fines relating to commercial premises.

b)  Some gatherings in public places have also been seen, although these have mostly been households out together.  Additional officers have been deployed to engage and give advice and guidance about dispersing.  If people do not comply then a fixed penalty notice will be issued as a last resort.

c)  The Police continue to work jointly with Environmental Health to advise business premises but most now understand how to ensure their arrangements are Covid-secure and there is generally good compliance.

d)  The Police are working with the two universities as student start to return and this includes joint patrols and a joint letter to those living in university halls.  There has largely been a good level of compliance.

e)  People can continue to report issues to the 101 number or online and these will be responded to accordingly.

f)  From 29 March it is anticipated that two households or up to six people from different households will be able to meet outdoors. There are plans to adapt the policing response as the ‘roadmap’ progresses.

g)  It is anticipated that there will be challenging times ahead and lessons from the previous lockdown easing are being taken on board.  The existence of the ‘roadmap’ gives some certainty and therefore helps to plan resourcing.  There are a number of events planned for the summer e.g. Splendour that will need to be managed.

Paul Dales, Chief Environmental Health Officer Nottingham City Council, gave an update on the Environmental Health Team’s engagement with businesses.  He highlighted the following information:

h)  The Environmental Health Team is working with the Police, Community Protection Officers and Trading Standards in both the City and County to ensure a consistent and joined up approach to planning for businesses reopening in line with the ‘roadmap’.

i)  There will be a focus on the highest risk areas through both a proactive and reactive approach.

j)  Initial liaison has taken place with City Centre businesses through groups such as PubWatch, the Business Improvement District and City Centre Managers to look at ensuring safety for both customers and employees. 

k)  Businesses appear to be more informed than previously and it is intended to build on this with an expectation of immediate compliance. 

l)  There are powers enabling formal enforcement action to be taken if necessary.

Amanda Sullivan, Chief Officer Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group, gave an update from a health perspective.  She highlighted the following information:

m)  There continue to be reductions in the number of hospital admissions, beds occupied and deaths associated with Covid-19.  For the first time since October there are fewer people in hospital than at the peak in April.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 204.

Michelle Tilling, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group, gave an overview of the Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) Vaccinations Co-ordination Group.  She highlighted the following information:

a)  The Group is looking at how to maximise uptake of the vaccine and deal with any blockages in the system.

b)  One of the objectives is to increase vaccination confidence, especially amongst ethnic minority communities.  This will be done by identifying what the issues are and where; listening to relevant communities; co-producing a solution; and co-delivering that solution.

c)  There is focused work taking place to increase uptake amongst the Muslim population.  As part of this work, the Team has listened to groups including GP leaders, Nottingham Council of Mosques, Imams, Community Cohesion Team etc and through this co-produced tailored messages from trusted sources and delivered through community channels.  Vaccinations are being delivered in trusted settings such as pop-up vaccination clinics, supported by local GP practices, in mosques (Fiveway Islamic Centre and Mosque and Karimia Institute) and mosques are also able to book individuals’ vaccination appointments.

d)  There is also work underway to increase uptake amongst the black Afro-Caribbean community.  The Team has listened to GP leaders, the ICP Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Project Lead, Majority Black Led Churches, Councillors and the Community Cohesion Team.  This work has also resulted in co-production of messaging and vaccination delivery in trusted settings.  Feedback has included that it would be helpful if vaccination teams could be reflective of the population they are serving.

e)  The Council’s Community Cohesion Team has been very useful in engaging particular communities.

f)  The ICP Severe Multiple Disadvantage Programme Lead, Framework and the Nottingham City GP Alliance are working together to deliver vaccines to the homeless population.

g)  In wards with lower levels of uptake e.g. Radford and Hyson Green, GP practices are working hard to encourage take up.

h)  Compared with other vaccines, uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine in the City is really good and there are lessons to be learnt for improving vaccine uptake in the longer term.

Amanda Sullivan, Chief Officer Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group, gave an update on the Covid-19 Vaccination Plan.  She highlighted the following information:

a)  There are currently 13 vaccination sites open across the City and County and two new pharmacy sites, including Riverside Pharmacy in Bulwell, should be open on 13March.

b)  Rapid progress is being made with the vaccination programme.  So far in Nottingham City, 88% of over 80s have been vaccinated; 96% of over 75s; 93% of over 70s; 83% of over 65s; and 62% of over 60s.  Anyone in these age groups that has not received their vaccination should come forward as soon as possible.  Booking is now open to those aged 55 years and over and communities with lower levels of uptake are being targeted e.g. by GPs contacting eligible residents.

c)  As a result of targeted work, take up rates in groups such as the homeless, specific geographic areas and ethnic minority communities are starting to improve.  In particular, progress is being made in reducing inequalities between ethnic minority groups and performance is amongst the best in the country on this.

d)  It is anticipated that there will be a good supply of the vaccine in coming weeks.

The Board agreed to exclude the public to move into the confidential section of the meeting.

See Confidential Minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the confidential section of the meeting held on 22 February 2021

See Confidential Minutes

See Confidential Minutes

See Confidential Minutes

See Confidential Minutes