Issue - meetings

Anna Brett/Amy McCullough

Anna Brett, Health Protection Manager and Amy McCullough, Consultant in Public Health gave a presentation on the Health Protection Board annual report as summarised below:

What is Health Protection?

Protecting the health of the population by improving the prevention and control of communicable diseases and other environmental threats:

·  communicable diseases

·  chemicals, poisons and radiation

·  environmental hazards

·  emergency planning, preparedness and response

Which specialist areas does the Health Protection Board cover?

1.  Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI)
Key Performance Indicators (KPI): MRSA, C.difficile & Ecoli bacteraemia

2.  Communicable Disease Control & Environmental Hazards
KPI: Private Water Supplies & Air Quality Management Areas

3.  Health Emergency Planning
KPI: Civil Contingencies Act requirements

4.  Sexual Health
KPI: HIV & under 18 conceptions

5.  Substance Misuse
KPI: Hep B vaccination, Hep C testing, Opiates & Non-Opiates & Alcohol

6.  Screening & Immunisation
KPI: National screening programmes & uptake of universal immunisation programmes

Priorities the Board agreed for 2018-19 that were implemented in 2019-20 and beyond and RAG rated GREEN:

1.  Assurance: continue to monitor the performance of specialist areas, identify risks, ensure mitigation is in place and escalate as necessary.

2.  Continue to actively participate in the prevention, preparedness and management of outbreaks and incidents with partner agencies to slow down and prevent the spread of communicable disease and manage environmental hazards.

3.  Continue to ensure that the public are informed about emerging threats to health.

4.  Support the development and implementation of all the Air Quality Action Plans in B&NES.

2018-19 priorities that were RAG rated AMBER

1. Improve the uptake of flu vaccinations in identified eligible groups and maintain high rates of childhood vaccinations.

The Covid-19 pandemic had an impact on flu vaccination coverage. For most population groups vaccination coverage increased, as vulnerability and the importance of vaccination against infectious disease was highlighted during the pandemic.  Reductions in uptake were seen in pregnant women and children, this reduction was also seen nationally.

2. Continue to reduce health inequalities in bowel screening.

There would be a B&NES wide multimedia campaign to raise awareness.  This had been delayed due to the Covid pandemic and was due to be launched in the Autumn.  This would be supplemented with a primary care arm which would include both awareness raising training for local health and social care professionals, as well as a targeted, personalised approach to addressing specific sections of the target audience.

The following 8 priorities have been identified for 2022-23:

1.  Assurance: continue to monitor performance of specialist areas, identify risks, ensure mitigation is in place and escalate as necessary.

2.  Continue to actively participate in the prevention, preparedness and management of outbreaks and incidents with partner agencies to slow down and prevent the spread of communicable disease and manage environmental hazards.

3.  Continue to ensure that the public are informed about emerging threats to health.

4.  Support the development and implementation of clean air projects and plans in B&NES.

5.  Ensure the delivery of the B&NES Living Safely and Fairly with Covid-19 Plan 2022-24, and associated actions, and informed by the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21