Decision details

That the Cabinet Member for Health and Communities:

Notes the findings from the public consultation exercise and Equalities Impact Assessment on the proposed changes to the Infant and Toddler Nutrition Service.

Approves the implementation of the proposed changes to the Infant and Toddler Nutrition Service delivery model as part of the process to transfer this service and the Oral Health Promotion Service into the 0-19 years Section 75 Partnership Agreement with Derbyshire Community Health Service NHS Foundation Trust with effect from 1 April 2023.

On 18 November 2021 Cabinet approved the decision to delegate authority to the Director of Public Health and Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, to take any further decisions required to complete the transfer of both services into the current Section 75 Partnership Agreement. It is for this reason why this report asks the Cabinet Member for Health and Communities to consider the findings of the public consultation exercise and EIA completed on the proposed changes to the Infant and Toddler Nutrition Service, and seeks Cabinet Member approval to proceed with the proposed changes as part of the transfer of the Infant and Toddler Nutrition Service into the Section 75 Partnership Agreement.  

Alternative option 1. Lift and shift current service specification into the Section 75 Partnership Agreement. One option available is to retain the current service delivery model of the Infant and Toddler Nutrition Service once this service transfers into the Section 75 Partnership Agreement on 1 April 2023. The service is maintaining the same annual budget once this transfers into the Section 75 Partnership Agreement which does present challenges to the service due to inflationary costs that have accumulated over recent years. Therefore, the two changes proposed to the current service delivery model have been developed following an engagement event with staff and have been modelled to help ensure the service both continues to develop and reduce breastfeeding inequalities, whilst at the same time effectively manages the current challenges with the resources available. It is for these reasons that maintaining the current service delivery model is not the preferred option.

Alternative option 2. Proceed with proposals to offer a more flexible approach to breastfeeding support based on need, however, maintain the delivery of weaning groups within the new service delivery model. The feedback from the consultation did not support the proposed changes to stop delivering weaning groups. Therefore, one option is to continue to proceed with the proposal to offer a more flexible approach to breastfeeding support based on need, but not proceed with the second proposal to stop delivering weaning groups. However, if the Infant and Toddler Nutrition Service was to continue delivering weaning groups, then this would impact on the service’s ability to offer adequate levels of support to all those clients identified as needing additional support as part of a flexible approach to breastfeeding support. In turn, this may impact the service’s ability to reduce inequalities in breastfeeding. It is for this reason why this is not the preferred option, but subject to approval to continue with these proposals, Public Health will explore potential options to offer weaning information, advice, and support via existing services, as this is a topic that many who completed the online survey felt was extremely important.