Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Meeting.  No Apologies had been received.

None.

Members of the public wishing to take part should notify the Democratic Governance and Scrutiny Manager in writing or by email indicating the nature and content of their proposed participation no later than 9.00am on the working day before the meeting (in this case Friday 10 November 2023). Enquiries can be made through the telephone number/email listed in this agenda and on the website.

None.

Previously circulated

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 October 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The HOSC Chairman welcomed the Cabinet Member with Responsibility (CMR) for Health and Well being, the Director of Public Health and Senior Public Health Officers to the meeting. 

Key points from the Agenda Report were referred to, especially that Public Health was entwined with the wider determinants of health and prevention was a priority.

The Worcestershire Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022-2032 had been agreed in September 2022 and the 12 month review had already been able to demonstrate progress, for example:

·       a strong health visiting service with rates of child development at 2½ years significantly better than the national average

·       a large rise in young people who meet physical activity recommendations, with Worcestershire having 4 of the 6 most active areas in the West Midlands

·       work on youth vaping had been featured in national news and Trading Standards had seized over 12,000 illegal vapes.  Research and preventative work in schools was ongoing

·       The Home Office had rated the County’s Prevent Programme as ‘strong’ recognising the work to prevent radicalisation and terrorism

·       One of the lowest rates of loneliness in the country, which was highlighted in national media

·       Public facing promotion and social media campaigns on topics such as bowel screening and preventing suicide in men.

Looking forward to the next 12 months, the Director referred to the ongoing community development approach to Public Health, where projects were developed and delivered with local people, rather than imposed on them.  In addition, it was vital that although the health and care system understood the benefits of Public Health, it was not just the responsibility of the Council’s Team.  A recurring key message was that all organisations needed to be investing in prevention.

The Chairman invited questions and in the ensuing discussion the following key points were made:

·       The Public Health Team, working with West Midlands Ambulance Service, had undertaken an audit and found that there were around 870 Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) in Worcestershire, however, no single organisation had oversight.  Officers were working to review and improve community access, advising that AEDs were registered with the British Heart Foundation (The Circuit National Defibrillator Network).  In addition, there were programmes for CPR training and AED installation at all Police Stations.  Grant funding was also available for additional AEDs across the County.  There was lots of information on the Council’s website for residents and organisations.  Members were concerned that there was no lead organisation for AEDs.  Officers advised that, while they were working to fill any gaps in provision of AEDs and the accuracy of data, they agreed that the Council had to be careful not to take on sole responsibility and needed support from partners

·       A Member suggested it would have been helpful if the Worcestershire Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy Outcomes Framework data set (Appendix 2) had included more narrative, including the direction of travel.  The Director agreed to provide this in future reports to the HOSC

·       It was generally agreed that programmes of work were only as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1167.

The Work Programme was considered and no additional Items were added.