Agenda item

The Director of Public Health submits a report that updates the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Commission on the performance of Leicester City Council’s Public Health Services (funded through the ring-fenced public health grant) in 2017/18.

The Commission is asked to note current performance achievements and issues with Public Health Services in 2017/18.

Ruth Tennant, the Director of Public Health submitted a report that updated the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Commission on the performance of the Leicester City Council’s public health services (funded through the ring-fenced public health grant) in 2017/18. The Director introduced the report and invited questions and comments from Members.  During the ensuing discussion, comments and queries raised included the following:

·      In relation to breast feeding, a member noted that 58% of babies, being seen by a health visitor, were still being breast fed at 6-8 weeks which was above the national average of 44%. A Member said that there were multiple benefits from breastfeeding and questioned whether anything could be done to raise the figures even higher. The Director responded that as part of their Healthy Child Programme, specific funding was allocated to local community groups to provide peer support for breastfeeding. Members heard that breastfeeding was promoted, by health visitors and also midwives during pregnancy and in the first weeks and months. Good online advice and chat rooms were also available.

·      The Vice Chair referred to the Performance Report Summary and expressed concern that 10% of children in their Reception Year were obese. He noted that children were only weighed twice in primary schools and questioned whether they could be weighed more, which might help to bring that figure down. The Director explained that a considerable amount of work was taking place including food growing and cook and eat programmes, healthy eating and the daily mile scheme. The issue of obesity was difficult as parents had the overall responsibility and some parents did not believe that their child was obese.

·      Reference was made to the 1000 Tweaks initiative in which people were encouraged to look at very simple things they could do or small changes they could make, to lead to a healthier lifestyle. For example, this might include eating smaller portions of food or walking a bit more.

·      Comments were made that education was crucial as children then put pressure on their parent / carers. While it was noted that healthy eating was being promoted generally, concern was raised that healthy food was often not offered in secondary schools. 

·      Reference was made to the opportunities that were available for children in Eyres Monsell to grow food. The Deputy City Mayor for the Environment, Public Health and Health Integration commented that he chaired the Food Plan Board and they looked at food growing opportunities. Representatives from the food banks, retailers and Fareshare all had a place on that board and there was a strong focus on food growing.  One of the issues that were looking at were the possibility of collections from allotments where there was a glut of produce.

·      In relation to the city’s oral health programme, it was noted that 25% of primary schools had signed up to the programme. The Chair commented that the Commission had previously requested the Strategic Director of Children’s Services to write to schools to encourage a higher take up of the programme.  The Director of Public Health was unable to confirm whether this letter had been sent but confirmed that they would be contacting schools about this and the 1000 tweaks initiative. A Member suggested that it would be more effective to put this information in a colourful newsletter rather than a standard letter.

·      The Director referred to the Sexual Health Services and said that the service would be moving into the Haymarket in January 2019. They would be looking at numbers visiting the new premises and trying to ensure that people were not falling through the net. Efforts would be made to raise awareness that the service was moving to a more central location and what the service would be offering.

AGREED:

1)    that the report and comments of the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Commission be noted; and

2)    that the Commission recommend that a colourful newsletter be sent out to schools providing information on the oral health programme and 1000 Tweaks.