Agenda item

The Panel was provided with a presentation and presented with a report on the annual health protection assurance in Doncaster for the period 2017/18.  It was noted that through effective health protection governance structures and service plans sustained progress had been made.

The Presentation to the Panel covered the following areas:

·         Progress from last year – good news stories;

·         Tobacco Control in Doncaster;

·         Smoking indicators;

·         Immunisation indicators;

·         Screening indicators;

·         Other health protection indicators;  and

·         Recommendations for 2019/20.

Dr Kirkby, Public Health and NHS England wished to highlight to the Panel that Doncaster had an excellent system of working in partnership, a strong established means of working, good links into communities and gave a warm endorsement to the work recommended for the future year.

The Panel addressed the following issues in more detail:

The links between mental health and smoking – it was noted that smoking was common for people who suffered with mental health issues and was an area that required more detailed work being undertaken.

Smoke Free Doncaster – in response to a query relating to the illicit sale of tobacco, it was noted that Public Health worked closely with the Enforcement Team ensuring the problem was addressed.  The work undertaken by Trading Standards was intelligence driven, so any information, no matter how small, always helped to build a case.

It was reported than an initiative to reduce smoking was promoted at the Christmas Lights event with simultaneous consultation being undertaken on the issue, encouraging smoke free homes, town centres and parks.  The initiative received broad support therefore it was an area that required further work to translate into practice.  With regard to timeframes, the proposals would require consideration by the Health and Well-being Board before taking forward its implementation.

With regard to reversing the trend of women who continued to smoke during pregnancy, the Panel was informed that a pathway for improvement to be undertaken by health visitors and hospitals was being developed.  This was a commissioning priority with a joint support approach being undertaken with a full pathway for pregnant ladies from GP’s through to hospital support.

Through a contract with SWIFT (mental health foundation for South and West Yorkshire) the provision of a smoking cessation service was being delivered.  The contract was currently in year 1 of a 4 year period.  It was recognised that the Borough comprised of many cultures, where smoking was possibly accepted as the “norm”, therefore many groups would be targeted through the network of clinics across the Borough.

Cannabis use – Following a Member reporting that roots from home grown cannabis were regularly found at the side of the road in rural communities, it was noted that cannabis continued to be an issue for the drug using community for Doncaster, particularly a drug of choice for younger people.  It was stressed that preventative programmes were delivered across the borough to reduce the use and prevent serious addiction. 

Pregnancies – A Member outlined that anecdotal information seemed to show that mothers were not presenting themselves to a doctor when they became pregnant and it was noted that the CCG was addressing this issues through a “Better Births” initiative over the next few years. 

Flu immunisation – In response to concern expressed about the low numbers of people receiving the flu immunisation, it was stressed that it was a myth that the vaccination would make you ill.  The Panel noted that the vaccination had been made available for Council Staff on site rather than having to visit their GP or pharmacy, with uptake improving.  Provision of the immunisation programme had also been rolled out to care homes.

Clean Air Day – staff were congratulated for work that had been undertaken.

Late stage of HIV – concern was expressed that people were presenting themselves to GPs with the illness at a late stage.  It was explained that the challenge was identification of the condition, to ensure correct support and treatment was available.  It was discussed that the illness still had a stigma, however, outreach clubs had been established through the community to ensure successful visits to nurses and GP’s were being undertaken to increase diagnosis.

RESOLVED that:-

i.              the report, be supported;

ii.            the Action Plan for a Smoke Free Doncaster be added to the Panel’s work programme for 2019/20;  and

iii.           the CCG be asked to consider building into quality contracts that the flu vaccination be recommended for staff or all organisations.