Agenda item

Presentation on the Role of the Director of Public Health

(To receive a presentation from Derek Ward (Director of Public Health) on the role of the Director of Public Health)

Minutes:

The Committee received a presentation from the Director of Public Health which provided members with an overview of the role of public health and particularly focused on the following areas:

·         What is Public Health?

·         3 Core aspects to Public Health

·         Money

·         Wat do we do with it?

·         Role of Scrutiny

 

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the Director of Public Health in relation to the information contained within the presentation, and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         It was suggested that in terms of sexual health, there was a need for more emphasis on the importance of the emotional aspects and consent.

·         In relation to bus passes and rural bus routes, it was commented that if those rural routes were better subsidised, this would interconnect with the general health of the older population.  It was thought this could have a positive impact on their health as well as helping to reduce isolation.  It was suggested that bus passes should be part of the health service.

·         The benefits of volunteering on a person's mental health could be amazing, and these sorts of activities should not be underestimated in the way that they could transform people's lives, and it was thought that schemes which encourage this should be encouraged throughout the country.

·         It was acknowledged that there was a lot that could be done without spending a lot of money.  Models and systems where people could be connected with existing community groups could be established.  It was noted that the challenge was when finances got tighter how the benefits of these models could be quantified.

·         It was commented that there was no reason why councillors could not help to facilitate these sorts of connections at a local level, and it was queried whether members were aware of every activity taking place within their division.  It was noted that assisting in this way did not cost any money, but it did take time.

·         It was queried what impact it was thought the Director of Public Health could have with the NHS and CCG's in terms of the STP, as not a lot of progress was being made with the NHS locally through the Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire.  It was queried how the County Council could get the message through the NHS.  Members were informed that the NHS Lincolnshire had agreed to invest £500,000 into the integrated lifestyle project.

·         Public health was part of the NHS from 1974 – 2013.  Consultants were employed by Public Health that were recognised by the NHS and so there was the opportunity to influence.  It was about finding those areas which could be influenced at an officer to officer level.

·         The BCF was one way to get some engagement, and the Executive Director for Adult Care was starting work into delayed discharges.

·         The UK was the 4th most obese nation in the world.

·         Some districts had recently agreed to employ health trainers who would work with either families or individuals.  Evidence has shown that this type of work can be effective.

·         It was queried whether it was thought that Public Health had lost its image, and there was a need to get back to its real purpose, getting people to be healthier, and for the service to be inspirational and an innovator.

·         It was commented that this was time to challenge, as the NHS had no economic incentive to change, and there was currently a cultural incentive for it to stay the 'national sickness service'.

·         It was important to look at what factors could be measured, as there only seemed to be value on what could be measured.  However, there were so many other factors which were important to people's health which could not be measured.  It was queried whether there was a need for an increase to the risk appetite to enable the Service to try new and innovative ideas.

·         There was a need to prove the benefits so that funding levels would be maintained.

 

RESOLVED

 

            That the presentation and comments made be noted.

 

 

 

(NOTE: Councillor C E H Marfleet left the meeting at 12.05pm)

 

Councillor Mrs E J Sneath in the Chair

 

 
 
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