Agenda item

The Acting Director, Public Health submits a report that provides background information on the scope and impact of diabetes in Leicester City and the current action being taken within the public health division to address the increasing levels of diabetes within the local population.  Members will receive a power-point presentation to support the report, a copy of which is included in the agenda.

The Leicester City Clinical Commissioning Group (LCCCG) also submits a report that explains how they are addressing the diabetes challenge and proactively managing the health of people living with diabetes.

The Commission received a report and a power-point presentation on Diabetes in Leicester, from Ivan Browne, Acting Director of Public Health. This was followed by a report from the Leicester City Clinical Commissioning Group (LCCCG) which set out how the LCCCG were addressing the diabetes challenge and pro-actively managing the health of people living with diabetes.

Members heard that diabetes was not a minor condition but one that could lead to significant morbidity and early mortality. It was estimated that there were 940k people in England with undiagnosed diabetes.  Approximately 90% of people with diagnosed diabetes were Type 2 which was the preventable form of diabetes. Members also heard that diagnosed diabetes prevalence in Leicester was significantly higher than in England as a whole.  Preventative work and interventions around diabetes was a significant area of work, and in addition, a considerable amount of work was taking place to ensure that diabetes was well managed. The LCCCG were investing in their primary care workforce and funding was being given to GPs to provide a diabetes service.

During the ensuing discussion, questions and comments were raised which included the following:

·      Concerns were raised that an obese child could become an obese adult and develop Type 2 diabetes and it was questioned what preventative work took place in schools. The Deputy City Mayor with responsibility for the Environment, Public Health and Health Integration explained that preventative work was a partnership issue, but a considerable amount of work was taking place in schools and as part of this they were trying to encourage children to walk or run a daily mile.

Professor Farooqi, Chair and Diabetes Clinical Lead, LCCCG commented that a national plan was needed but the concerns regarding obesity and subsequent health issues were starting to be recognised and for example the sugar tax had now been introduced.

·      A member questioned whether work stress was a contributory factor towards Type 2 diabetes and Members head that stress might not directly be a cause of diabetes but could impact on a person’s lifestyle which might subsequently lead to diabetes.

·      Members heard that Leicester was the first City in the UK to be part of an international programme called ‘Cities Changing Diabetes’. This initiative looked at the health challenges and issues that might arise from living in cities, and what cities could do to help. The Deputy City Mayor commented that he was proud that Leicester had been chosen to be part of this global programme.

·      Members also heard that Leicester would be the first City in the UK to establish a Diabetes Village. This was an international initiative where different competencies relating to treating people with diabetes, would be brought together under one roof. Work was currently being undertaken to establish a suitable location.

·      Concerns were expressed that fresh food as part of a healthy eating regime could be expensive and children might not want to eat what was being offered. The Acting Director of Public Health acknowledged that healthy eating was an issue, when as an alternative, people could buy takeaway food that was inexpensive but unhealthy. Schools were trying to re-educate children to understand where food came from and what healthy food looked like. This had to be achieved in a way that the food promoted would be something that people would enjoy as well as being healthy.  However, it was a challenge to combat the power of advertising. 

·      A Member asked what specific activities were being provided for women and heard that the Council offered activities that were not necessarily gender specific, but a lot of work, for example, was being undertaken to encourage women into cycling.    

·      In response to a question, the meeting heard that Spirit Healthcare provided a programme for people newly diagnosed with diabetes and approximately 1500 people went through the programme every year. Work was being undertaken to make the programme more appealing to young people. The programme was being offered in different languages and there was also a programme aimed for women who were thinking about becoming pregnant.

·      A Member praised the work being undertaken by both Public Health and the LCCCG. She said that she had visited two schools in Eyres Monsell at lunchtime where both schools were promoting healthy eating which the children loved.

·      In response to a question, the commission heard that the LCCCG aimed for all GPs to provide an enhanced diabetes service within the next year. This would mean that patients would have their diabetes managed by GPs, rather than the hospital, where all the risk factors such as blood pressure and cholesterol would be monitored. Practices would be trained to deliver that enhanced service which had been shown to result in better outcomes for the patient as well as being more accessible.

The Chair drew the discussion to a close and said that the Commission would like to hear more about the Diabetes Village at a future meeting. Officers were thanked for the reports and the work that was being carried out.

AGREED:

                   that the reports and presentation be noted.

Councillor Sangster left the meeting during the discussion on this item of business.