Corporate report

UKHSA Advisory Board: 29 September 2022 meeting minutes

Updated 16 November 2022

Date: Thursday 29 September 2022

Present at the meeting were:

• Ian Peters – Chair
• Jon Friedland – non-executive member
• Dame Jenny Harries – Chief Executive
• Graham Hart – non-executive member
• Susan Hopkins – Chief Medical Advisor
• Mark Lloyd – non-executive member
• Raj Long – associate non-executive member
• Scott McPherson – Director General, Strategy, Policy and Programmes
• Isabel Oliver – Chief Scientific Officer (interim)
• Andrew Sanderson – Director General, Finance, Commercial and Corporate Services
• Thom Waite – Deputy Chief Medical Officer

Observers at the meeting were:

• Sir Frank Atherton – Chief Medical Officer Wales
• Jac Gardner – Chief People Officer
• Sir Michael McBride – Chief Medical Officer Northern Ireland
• Steven Riley – Director General, Data, Analytics and Surveillance
• Sir Gregor Smith – Chief Medical Officer Scotland
• Clara Swinson – Director General, Global Public Health (Senior Departmental Sponsor)

In attendence were:

• Lee Bailey – Director of Communications
• Katherine Beesley – Business and Governance Senior Officer
• Andrea Clapton – Governance and Business Manager
• Caryn Cox – Consultant in Health Protection
• Hannah Frude – Board Secretary (minutes)
• Caroline Middlecote – Director of Strategy
• Emma O’Brien – Senior Communications Manager
• Rachel Scott – Deputy Director, Governance, Risk and Assurance
• Katie Spence – Regional Deputy Director Health Protection, West Midlands

Apologies from:

• Simon Blagden – associate non-executive member
• Jennifer Dixon – non-executive member
• Marie Gabriel – associate non-executive member
• Sir Gordon Messenger – non-executive member

Announcements, apologies and declarations of interest

22/001 The Chair welcomed participants to the first meeting of the UKHSA Advisory Board held in public. It was noted that the meeting was postponed due to the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Apologies were noted from members and the Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty.

22/002 The Chair noted that the format of meetings may change over time with further understanding on dynamics and levels of interest from the public. The Advisory Board aimed to ensure a balance of transparency, engagement and efficiency in meetings.

22/003 The standard declarations of Board members’ interests were noted and would be published on GOV.UK following the meeting.

Terms of reference and meetings in public

22/004 The Advisory Board agreed the terms of reference for the Advisory Board (enclosure AB/22/001) which would be published on GOV.UK following the meeting.

22/005 The Advisory Board noted the principles for the UKHSA Advisory Board meeting in public, with understanding that the format of meetings may evolve over time.

Chief Executive’s update

22/006 The Advisory Board noted the update from the Chief Executive (enclosure AB/22/002). The Chief Executive noted the context of UKHSA as a new organisation, giving opportunity to contribute to security, to UKHSA as a science and technology superpower, and to work closely with partners across the local, national and global landscape. UKHSA’s remit letter for 2022 to 2023 was confirmed with recognition of the demands in forming the organisation, including management of the Omicron response. It confirmed the transfer of the Vaccine Taskforce into UKSHA from 1 October which would support closer relation with industry and horizon scanning.

22/007 An overview was provided on key incident responses at UKHSA. This included:

• the London Bridge plan during the period of national mourning
• monekypox
• coronavirus (COVID-19)
• polio in London wastewater
• hepatitis of unknown cause in children
• avian flu
• the Ukraine response

It was noted that UKHSA’s first scientific conference would occur on 18 and 19 October.

22/008 Terms of reference for COVID-19 public inquiry were confirmed and preparation was underway in UKHSA to respond, which was expected to take significant time and resource.

22/009 The Advisory Board showed interest in capacity of the organisation for future responses, relationships with partners, staff resourcing pressure across government and work on future health threats. Progress was occurring on strengthening partnerships across the wider health system, including with devolved administrations and informal networks. The New Variant Assessment Programme and World Health Organization Berlin Hub for pandemic and epidemic intelligence were noted as key opportunities to strengthen global surveillance.

22/010 Alongside pandemic and incident response, UKHSA continued looking ahead to future threats such as antimicrobial resistance. Investment in data and technology were seen as critical to the organisation and enabled proactive surveillance across international networks. It was noted that planning was underway on levels of surge capacity in the event of rising COVID-19 cases; this included a set of tools to be deployed based on public health advice of different scenarios.

Financial report

22/011 The Advisory Board noted the financial update (enclosure AB/22/003). The Director General, Finance, Commercial and Corporate Services provided an overview of the UKHSA budget, split into components of core funding, COVID-19 and the ring-fenced budget for vaccines and countermeasures.

22/012 It was noted that the main financial priority in 2022 had been scaling down the COVID-19 response which was ahead of plan. Thanks were noted to UKHSA for meeting this challenge in a complex environment.

22/013 The focus on core funding would be to establish core capabilities realised through the pandemic and turn to challenges of staffing and delivery of services. There was an anticipated trend of underspending, pressures faced by inflation and the need for efficiency across public spending.

22/014 A modified audit opinion was expected which related to inherited COVID-19 budgets. It was seen as a transitional issue as UKHSA returned to standard governmental controls which were eased across many government departments throughout the pandemic.

22/015 Discussion occurred on the pressure of inflation on budgets which as faced by all government departments and agencies. It was expected to be modest within the current financial year and helped by stronger commercial frameworks to set long term pricing. It was noted that efficiencies could be realised without impairing frontline service delivery as UKHSA moved away from the transitional phase.

UKHSA strategy

22/016 The Advisory Board noted the update on UKHSA strategy (enclosure AB/22/004) presented by the Director of Strategy. UKHSA had considered earlier feedback from the Advisory Board to group priorities under overarching goals. Informal feedback was received from many stakeholders and valuable insight from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Chief Medical Officer. UKHSA would continue working closely with DHSC on timelines for final agreement of the strategy by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

22/017 The Advisory Board welcomed progress on the strategy in a short timeframe and valuable insights from non-executive members. Discussion followed on the importance of reflecting UKHSA’s role within the strategy on preparedness and incident response which would be a marker of UKHSA’s success. Additionally, it was noted that profile could be given to UKHSA’s position within economic security and stimulating economic growth through partnership opportunities. UKSHA strategy colleagues had incorporated this feedback within longer the version of the document and would review the narrative on these 2 points in the final version. (Scott McPherson)

People

22/018 The Advisory Board noted the Chief People Officer’s update on the emerging people strategy (enclosure AB/22/005). UKHSA had been through a period of significant change with workforce numbers stabilising, but had a continued reliance on contractors in the interim. The period of transitioning from reliance on contractors to a stabilised workforce composition would place substantial burden on the People Group to complete recruitment campaigns.

22/019 As UKHSA moved from a transition phase and the maturity realised in delivery since establishment, it was focused on core flexibility to enable response resilience as needed. The Chief People Officer would provide a subsequent update to the Advisory Board on how to deliver priorities in the people space. (Jac Gardner)

22/020 The Advisory Board showed strong interest in establishing career pathways through UKHSA and attracting individuals with skillsets required by the organisation. It was noted that people was a key enabler within the corporate strategy and the exciting mission communicated from the corporate strategy should be used as a tool within the recruitment space. Additionally, leadership programmes were a key aspect of enabling UKHSA to grow as an organisation. Leadership would form part of the agenda for a future Advisory Board meeting in addition to discussions on delivery activities. (Jac Gardner)

22/021 Discussion followed on the state of staff morale and engagement. It was considered that UKHSA was moving from a transitional phase into a time of increased certainty. The Advisory Board encouraged UKHSA to take the opportunity of new employees starting in the organisation to cement a strong culture.

Commonwealth Games public health response

22/022 The Advisory Board congratulated UKHSA for the outstanding work in preparing for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham (enclosure AB/22/006). The Advisory Board noted the achievements of the West Midlands region, supported by pan-UKHSA, in identifying, preparing for and mitigating the risks of a mass gathering of 1.5 million people. Early engagement, support, advice and cross-government collaboration has been regarded as exemplary with surveillance data indicating no outbreaks linked to the games.

22/023 The event was an opportunity to demonstrate the work of UKHSA and showcase the breadth of hazards involved in mass gathering events (for example health protection activities, cyber security). It presented the opportunity to develop and cement key relationships with wider partners.

22/024 Discussion noted a key reflection across the wider health and event system that public health resource must be factored into funding and planning for mass gathering events. The Advisory Board encouraged UKHSA to frame the success of working on such events as a key achievement by preventing public health incidents. Formal thanks were noted from DHSC, the Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Chief Medical Officer on the work of UKHSA for the Commonwealth Games and for London Bridge plan during the period of national mourning.

22/025 The Advisory Board noted the contribution to the worldwide body of knowledge for planning and delivering mass gatherings (sporting or otherwise). UKHSA maintained a close link with the Games Organising Committee to provide suitable guidance. This included a general handbook and tailored advice on specific issuing, recognising the needs of individual countries and athletes.

Advisory Board Committees

Audit and Risk Committee

22/026 It was noted the first meeting of the Audit and Risk Committee on 11 July 2022 and discussed the finance run rate, rightsizing of the organisation, approved internal audit plan and progress of accounts. A permanent Chair of the Committee was expected by the end of the year.

22/027 The Advisory Board endorsed the terms of reference for the Audit and Risk Committee (enclosure AB/22/007).

People and Culture Committee

22/028 The first meeting of the People and Culture Committee was expected on 3 October to agree terms of reference and discuss workforce, leadership, and engagement and values.

Equalities, Ethics and Communities Committee

22/029 The first meeting of the Equalities, Ethics and Communities Committee was expected on 6 October 2022. Terms of reference were drafted to be agreed at the meeting. The Committee would ensure a focus on reducing health inequality, aligning with the mission of UKHSA. A key feature would be to invite perspective of lived experience. The first deep dive of the Committee would review the monkeypox outbreak.

Science and Research Committee

22/030 The first meeting of the Science and Research Committee was expected on 30 September 2022. Terms of reference had been drafted to agree at the meeting. Discussion was expected to cover the science strategy and the vaccine development centre. The Committee would include external experts with specific knowledge and observers as required.

Questions from members of the public

22/031 No written questions were received from members of the public in advance.

22/032 A question was asked in the room whether there was pressure on UKHSA to find savings based on current government pressures and health spending priorities.

22/033 UKSHA remained focused on ensuring appropriate budget to maintain delivery of core services. It was noted UKSHA worked closely with DHSC to review any savings in the wider health budget, particularly for key strategic partners such as the NHS. There was no pressure on the current budget which was fixed. Inflation was expected to cause some pressure on future budgets, as was anticipated across other government agencies.

Forward look

22/034 The Advisory Board noted the topics for future meetings (enclosure AB/22/008).

22/035 Science strategy and data strategy were seen as key enabling elements of the organisation and would form focus of the next meeting.

22/036 It was observed that meetings would move to other locations within the country.

Any other business and close

22/037 Thanks were noted to the Secretariat and technology colleagues for preparation of the meeting.

22/038 There being no other business, the meeting closed at 3:57pm.

Hannah Frude
Board Secretary
September 2022