Agenda item

Members are asked to consider the information presented within the report and note the key issues described.

Becky Reynolds addressed the Select Committee, a summary of the update is set out below.

Smoking at time of delivery

There was a significant drop in the numbers of women smoking at time of delivery in B&NES during 15/16. Of the 1735 maternities in B&NES 7.2% were smoking at time of delivery compared to 10% during 14/15. This is better than the national and commissioning region (South Central) averages of 10.6% and 8.4% respectively. The introduction in 15/16 of the Saving Babies Lives: NHS Care Bundle to reduce stillbirths has given additional emphasis in maternity services to smoking in pregnancy. This has led to a noticeable increase in B&NES pregnant women who smoke engaging with support services.

Admissions for self-harm

This was an indicator where we have scored high in the past. It is difficult to be sure whether this reflects a poor situation locally, or whether it relates to how our health services respond to self-harm. Whatever the reasons, there has been a significant fall to a lowest rate since before 2010.  This is counter to the South West regional trend.

We cannot be sure whether it’s just down to statistical variability or something we’re doing or a bit of both.  We may only be able to tell if the figures remain low and also once AWP can give us recent enough data through the register to compare re-attendance rates before and after the postcards/information packs work began. In the meantime, we carry on our good local work with AWP, CAMHS, Samaritans, schools, etc.

The Sustainability and Transformation Plan

Work on this plan continues apace. It may be covered in other reports to the meeting, but it is worth mentioning that a joint bid is to be made for funding for the National Diabetes Prevention Programme which will provide lifestyle related support to people at high risk of type 2 diabetes.

The annual Director of Public Health report - “Get Fresh”

The annual Director of Public Health Report has now been published and all Councillors will receive a copy if they haven’t already done so. The aim of this year’s report is to provide a concise and readable account of the main priority areas for public health action which are encapsulated in the acronym FRESH which is explained in the report. The report also highlights this year’s emphasis on inequalities, and gives a basic snapshot of health in B&NES. Of course much more information about health indicators and local strategies and actions is available on the council’s website but browsing this document will give a quick overview.

Keep the date:  12^th January 2017

The LGA has offered us its workshop for Councillors entitled “Prevention Matters: How elected members can improve the health of their communities”. After assessing that there was initial interest from members in B&NES we asked them to do this workshop here and the date has been set. The meeting will be in the Guildhall. A formal invitation will come out soon and please encourage all members to attend as it is relevant to everyone and not just those with a specific health interest.

Councillor Lin Patterson acknowledged the reduction in the numbers regarding self-harm, but said that she still found it distressing. She asked if the numbers could be broken down into males or females.

Becky Reynolds replied that she did not have that data available but would try to source it.

Following the meeting this response was provided; Admissions to hospital for self-harm have been falling over the last 3 years.  The reasons are unclear but may be due to a mix of service changes at the hospital, a self-harm improvement project funded by public health and the CCG, and of course the possibility of chance variation over time.

We don’t have a breakdown of these overall admissions by gender.  However, by far the highest admission numbers are amongst people aged under 24 years.  For this cohort, we do have a breakdown by gender.  It shows that for young males aged 10-17 and 18-24 years of age their rates of admission have fallen over time.  For the youngest women, aged 10-17 years, their admission rates have increased over the last 5 years.  Amongst the 18-24 year age females, their admission rates have slightly increased over time but remain relatively level compared to the youngest females. 

We continue to work closely with schools, the emergency department, mental health services and other colleagues to improve our approach to supporting people who self-harm.  This is coordinated by a suicide prevention strategy partnership and a dedicated self-harm working group. 

Councillor Eleanor Jackson asked what work was taking place with the universities regarding mental well-being and self-harm.

Becky Reynolds replied that the University of Bath represent higher education on the B&NES Suicide Prevention Strategy Group and self-harm subgroup.  There is a specific action on the 2016 – 2019 action plan re development of a brief intervention training schedule for university staff including security guards, tutors, housing mentors etc on how to support young people with suicidal ideation, following episodes of self-harm. She added that they are also exploring the development of resources to accompany this.  Both Universities also of course have their own student support service activities which include supporting students with mental health issues, promoting positive mental health and liaising with partners re services and support.

Councillor Geoff Ward asked when the Public Health statement relating to E-cigarettes would be finalised.

Becky Reynolds replied that final changes were being made to the policy and that it would be finalised and distributed very soon.

Councillor Paul May asked how the public could become involved in the national Diabetes Prevention Programme, should B&NES be successful in its application.

Becky Reynolds replied that members of the public were being advised of the programme following their NHS Health Checks and a blood / glucose level of a certain threshold identifying that they had pre-diabetes. She added that surgeries would be able to be referred to the programme if routine blood tests identified that they had pre-diabetes. She also said that if B&NES was successful in its application to be part of the next part of the programme, then some awareness-raising about the programme would take place.

The Chair thanked her for the update on behalf of the Select Committee.