Issue - meetings

(To receive a report from the Director of Public Health which presents the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report 2021)

1.    That the Annual Report of the Director of Public Health be received;

2.    That arrangements be made for the report’s publication.

The Director of Public Health presented his annual report entitled The Impact of Covid-19 on children and young people in Lincolnshire, which focused on the health of children and young people in Lincolnshire, and the impact of Covid-19 on this population.  It was highlighted that this was a joint report co-authored with the Executive Director of Children’s Services.  This was an innovative approach to a DPH annual report and reinforced the importance of a system wide strategic approach to protecting and improving children’s health.

The report made reference to child health in Lincolnshire – the burden of disease; Covid-19; early years; schools and education; children with SEND; social care and support; and mental health and emotional wellbeing.

It was highlighted that in terms of Covid-19, whilst the effects of the disease were generally mild in children and young people, it was important to recognise the other impacts of factors such as school closures and self-isolation on this population.

The Executive Director for Children’s Services commented that this was a very useful report and had welcomed the opportunity to work with the Director of Public Health on it and highlight the needs of children and young people.  It was also pleasing that the Council had services that were considered to be outstanding.

The Director of Public Health thanked the Executive Director for Children’s Services and her team for their work with this report.  He noted that he had written two previous annual reports, and requested whether an update on the recommendations set out in the report on the Global Burden of Disease could be published alongside this.  It was also highlighted that next year an update on the recommendations set out in this report would be brought back to Executive to update on progress.

During discussion by the Executive, the following was noted:

·       The report was welcomed by the Executive, and it was noted that the format made the report very clear.

·       Reference was made to life expectancy data, and that there was a clear issue along the east coast.  It was noted that this data was shared with schools, as prevention was the best approach for many of the issues.  It was also highlighted that it was a requirement from Ofsted that schools tailor their curriculums to the population that they served.

·       It was clarified what processes were put in place to mitigate the risks to children and young people during the lockdown, which included continuing home visits, and ensuring that frontline staff had access to PPE.  Capacity for taking safeguarding calls was strengthened, and risk was classified differently during this time. 

·       It was noted that this report would be going to Adults and Community Wellbeing and Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee’s in January 2022.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Annual Report of the Director of Public Health be received;

2.    That arrangements be made for the report’s publication.