Agenda item

Item for Decision

The three priorities in the Health and Well-being Strategy represented the three biggest contributors to the load on the health and well-being system. All partners on the Board needed to be committed to take these issues back to their organisations and ensure the plans were being supported.

The Board knew the areas which needed to show change and what was wanted from the plans. It would be necessary to nudge people's behaviour towards being more health, as well as being prescriptive in certain areas.

Good Mental Health and Well-being Throughout Live

·       Certain projects were being put in place in the community which were helping people through the tiers described in the 5 ways to well-being such as the dementia checkouts being set up at a Tesco store

·       It was important to have early intervention with policies such as the Mental health pathway

Being Active at Every Age

·       It was important that people start their lives being active and continue to be so throughout their lives

·       The focus was now on being active which was a positive message rather than the negative message of tackling obesity

·       Being active also helped to tackle the clustering of unhealthy behaviour and improving mental health and well-being

·       Local Councils could help by encouraging and enabling a healthy environment such as encouraging cycling

·       The graphs included in the agenda and information collected regarding physical activity were gained from a telephone survey.  The figures may not be fully comprehensive but were all that were currently available.

Reducing Harm from Alcohol

·       The biggest area of concern was among middle aged and elderly people. Self- help was being promoted but work was also being done in areas such as licensing

·       Evidence showed that the numbers of people drinking at home had increased dramatically. Alcohol was available cheaply and easily from supermarkets and consumption by older people was the main concern

·       It was expected that the government would put more effort into introducing a minimum price for alcohol after the election

·       Alcohol did not just affect the health of an individual but affected the well-being of children and family members

·       More consideration should be given to licensing issues before new premises or extensions to opening hours were agreed

·       It was suggested that the police should be more closely involved, especially with District Councils as licensing authorities to support efforts to reduce alcohol consumption

·       Following general discussion about action being taken locally and nationally to reduce alcohol consumption, it was suggested that the Board could pick this up as a specific topic later in the year.

It was suggested that a seminar be held on these 3 topics for new councillors after the election. 

RESOLVED that the Health and Well-being Board:

a)     Agree the three Action Plans:-

1.               Good Mental Health and Well-being Throughout Life

2.               Being Active at Every Age

3.               Reducing Harm from Alcohol

b)    Should ensure that each organisation represented by the Board play an active part in the delivery of the three plans and fully participates in providing the necessary updates and information for the reporting of progress against the plans.