Agenda item

(To receive a report from Derek Ward, Director of Public Health, Lincolnshire County Council, which invites the Committee to note the contents of the Annual Report by the Director of Public Health – Adding Life to Years)

Consideration was given to a report from the Director of Public Health, which invited the Committee to note the contents of the Annual Report by the Director of Public Health – Adding Life to Years. 

The Committee noted that the Director of Public Health had a statutory duty to produce an annual report and that the County Council had a statutory duty to publish the said report.  A copy of the annual report was attached at Appendix A to the report presented for members of the Committee to consider.

The Chairman invited the Director of Public Health, Lincolnshire County Council to present the item to the Committee.

The Committee noted that this year’s report was a joint report between the Director of Public Health and Glen Garrod Executive Director of Adult Care and Community Wellbeing who was due to retire in April 2024.

It was highlighted that the annual report described how the World Health Organisation (WHO) Age Friendly Cities Framework could be applied to the older population of Lincolnshire.  It was noted that as part of the strategic partnership with the Centre for Ageing Better, the Committee was advised that this year the Director of Public Health’s report was focused on Ageing Better in Lincolnshire.  It was noted that the report described the key determinants of healthy ageing and what could be done to support and improve the well-being of older residents, particularly those living in rural and coastal areas. Figure one on page 27 of the report pack provided a diagram of the key elements for ageing better in the form of a flower with eight petals, the Committee noted that each of the areas (petals) were connected which was vital for each element to be taken forward.

The report highlighted that Lincolnshire had an ageing population and that projections were that the over 65 population in the next twenty years would increase by more than 40%; and that the over 85 population would double in its projection.  There was recognition that people were now living loner and as a result there was a need to change services, to support individuals to age well and to be as healthy as they could.

In conclusion, the Committee were advised of the five recommendations of the report, these were shown on pages 53 and 54 of the report pack.  The Director of Public Health advised that he would be having conversations with all stakeholders to ensure that these were taken forward.

During consideration of the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report – Adding Life to Years document, the following comments were noted:

·       That further consideration was needed to target younger age groups, particularly with regard to preventative measures, for example, avoiding trips and falls, healthy diet, keeping fit and healthy etc.  There was recognition that there was more to be done to encourage younger age groups to improve their balance and core strength, and that by removing environmental factors to avoid trips and falls, such as having proper slippers, not having rugs etc.  The Director of Public Health advised that there were resources available for individuals to seek help online, and that the Council’s integrated lifestyle service ‘One You Lincolnshire’ was the provider of the falls response.  The Director of Public Health agreed to look into providing advice to town and parish councils.  One member suggested the process of sharing information could be developed further with community groups identified by officer/members.  The Committee noted that NHS online was a useful website, as was the Lincolnshire Connect to Support website;

·       It was suggested that the elements on bereavement needed to be widened  to include the wider family.  There was recognition, that due to societal change, people were living longer and were experiencing loss of friends, and family members.  The Committee noted that at the moment the Well-being Service was focusing on the death of a spouse/partner, as there was lots of evidence to say that these individuals were most at risk;

·       Reassurance was provided that despite NHS capabilities, what was planned to improve the health and well-being of the older population would be delivered.  It was recognised that life expectancy had improved since World War Two, but had stalled recently, and now needed reinvigorating.  The Committee noted that health and care needed to be redesigned to take account of what was now required.  It was noted further that the next item on the agenda would highlight what was now needed and how things would be done differently;

·       There was understanding that in some cases an individual’s life could be more fulfilling if they chose to stop taking some medication or by stopping some treatment to enable them to have a better quality of life.  The Committee noted that there was strong evidence that some people would consider this.  It was however highlighted that health and care systems were not set up to have conversations about what would be a good quality life to some people, rather than a good clinical outcome;

·       It was highlighted that communication with people was vital, and that more consideration needed to be given to the patient being able to choose their preferred method of communication, as not all individuals were able to gain access to the relevant IT, and some conditions warranted a face-to-face appointment.  There was realisation that the health and care system needed to be more responsive to an individual’s needs.  The Committee noted that approximately £2,000 million was spent in Lincolnshire on health and social care services and if more was needed the question would be how that could be funded.  This in turn, highlighted the need for a different system.  The Committee was advised that the priorities set out in the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the Integrated Care Strategy would help prevent some of the issues raised with regard to digital technology, personalisation and health inequalities;

·       The problems Lincolnshire had regarding funding, being a rural/coastal county, with the National Health funding being based on population. The Committee noted that there was now an index of rural multiple deprivation that took into account delivering services in a large rural, dispersed communities, but this had not yet been adopted by the government, however it was noted that representations were continuing to be made to this effect;

·       Some concern was raised regarding housing issues, and the impact this had on an individual’s mental health issues.  The Committee noted that housing was a key priority for the Joint Health and Wellbeing Delivery Group, which brought together all relevant partners;

·       That the third sector role was invaluable and was fundamental to what was being achieved by the Integrated Care System; 

·       The importance of remaining active and the positive impact that had on an individual’s life;

·       Confirmation was given that the figures contained on page 51 of the report were the most up to date figures available at that time that were in the public domain; and

·       That the recommendation concerning the promotion of subsidised hospital transport and the expansion of the voluntary care scheme (on page 53 of the agenda pack) would be looked at by the system, and that this would be picked up more through the Integrated Care Strategy.

RESOLVED

1.      That the annual report of the Director of Public Health – Adding Life to Years be welcomed and that support be extended to the five recommendations as detailed on pages 53 and 54 of the report pack.

2.      That the recommendation on promoting subsided hospital transport and the expansion of the voluntary car schemes be strongly supported by the Committee.