Agenda item

(A period not exceeding 15 minutes for questions from members of the public.)

Mrs Angela Curtis asked the following question in relation to Air Pollution in Doncaster.

“Doncaster Council is responsible for a number of Public Health functions as highlighted in The Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2016. 

In “Where are we now” it states:

The Wellbeing of Doncaster people is improving in a number of key areas.  However, it states it is not improving as fast as it is in the rest of the country.  It further states diseases such as Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Respiratory Diseases, Liver Disease, account for between 80% & 90% of all preventable deaths in Doncaster.  It further states actions need to be put in place to improve Health & Wellbeing - I would like to know what actions!

Health and Wellbeing in Doncaster will not improve as fast as other parts of the country when the amount of Air Pollution in Doncaster is among the highest in the country.

Public Health England state 160 people in Doncaster this year will die premature deaths due to poor air quality, the largest pollutant being PM_2.5particulate emissions from diesel  vehicles.

It has been scientifically established beyond any doubt that poor air quality affects people’s lives on a daily basis.  There is a proven link to Cancer, Dementia, Respiratory disease, Cardiovascular disease, all aspects of poor health which YOU are committed to improve.

So I ask this question:

If you are committed to improve the lives of Doncaster People, why is there not one reference to any strategy or priority given to address the detrimental effect of air pollution on all lives in Doncaster from the new-born babies through every stage of life to our oldest residents?

Doncaster people deserve better.”

In response, Dr Rupert Suckling advised that there were a number of local air quality management schemes operating in the Borough.  He also referred to a new requirement to establish partnership/steering groups, the membership of which would include members of the public, to consider air pollution related matters and confirmed that the Council was in the process of forming such a group. 

Dr Suckling concluded by informing Mrs Curtis that a full written response to her question would be sent to her within the next 10 days.

Councillor Cynthia Ransome added that the Council’s Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel would be looking at the issue of air pollution in more detail as part of its future Work Plan.

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Beatrice Botomani gave a brief presentation to the Board on the work of the HARP project.  A briefing note on the project was also tabled for Members’ information.  Beatrice explained that HARP was a project within the Refugee Council and was funded by the Health Social Care Volunteering Fund until December 2017. 

HARP aimed to work closely with refugees and asylum seekers, health providers, third sector organisations and commissioners to:

•           improve health outcomes and health services for all new migrants;

•           decrease inequalities,

•           improve access of health services; and

•           give this group of clients a voice that directly influenced the planning of services.

It was reported that people seeking asylum were not only disproportionately suffering from ill-health, they were also disproportionately affected by the social determinants of ill-health (including poverty, social isolation, literacy, language, education, low self-esteem, as well as fear, abuse, bullying, ASBOS, etc).  The HARP project took a holistic approach to improving the health outcomes of the client group and encouraged peer support, advocacy and befriending to reduce inequalities and address public health concerns for this client group.

During subsequent discussion, various Board members offered to link up with Beatrice in order to assist the HARP project in its work, as follows:-

•           Dr David Crichton explained that the DCCG’s health ambassador for asylum seekers, Julia Burne, would be happy to link up with the HARP project to assist in co-ordinating activities.

•           Dr Rupert Suckling offered to put Beatrice in touch with his colleague Susan Hampshire who was involved with the Doncaster Conversation Club.

•           Steve Shore confirmed that Healthwatch Doncaster would be happy to link up with the HARP project in relation to providing services for asylum seekers and refugees.

•           Chief Inspector Thomas advised Beatrice that Bill Hodgkiss (DMBC) would be a useful contact for the HARP project.  He added that South Yorkshire Police were currently setting up an advisory group on police services and would be happy to invite the HARP organisation to sit on that body.