Agenda item

The annual report documents the progress made by the Health Protection Board on the priorities and recommendations made in the 2014-15 report; highlights the key areas of work that have taken place in 2015-16 and identifies priorities for the next 12 months.

The Board considered a report by the Health Protection Manager giving an update on progress made by the Health Protection Board on the priorities and recommendations made in the 2015-16 report, highlighting the key areas of work that has taken place in 2015-16 and identifying priorities for the next 12 months.  A copy of the presentation is attached as Appendix 3 to these minutes.

It was noted that on page 7 of the report the total number of cases of clostridium difficile infection was 83 and not 237 as printed.

The Health Protection Board had been set up to ensure that local partners have the relevant plans in place.  Members of the Board plan and identify public protection risks, provide mutual challenge and are able to build relationships with partner organisations.

There were three amber rated priorities in 2014-15 as follows:

·  Fully operationalise health protection plans in B&NES – it was noted that a plan is in place but still needs to be tested.

·  Help to ensure resilience of health emergency planning in B&NES.

·  Improve uptake in all childhood immunisation programmes.

There was one red rated priority regarding improving the uptake of flu vaccination in target groups.  This had still not improved although more vaccinations had taken place there had been an increase in the number of people in each target group category.

The following areas of work were highlighted:

·  Work was being carried out in schools to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance by the use of antibiotics.  A poster competition was being run for Year 3 pupils in all B&NES schools. 

·  Work was being carried out to raise awareness of ticks and lyme disease among the public and frontline healthcare staff.  Posters and leaflets have been produced.

·  Projects to address inequalities in health screening were underway.

The Board welcomed the work being carried out and thanked officers for the very clear and comprehensive report.  There was a clear link to the work of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

It was noted that a national advertising strategy for the flu vaccine would begin today.  This would include radio, TV and magazine advertising.  Flu vaccinations are now available at local pharmacies as well as GP surgeries.

The Board also welcomed the work being carried out to address inequalities in health screening, in particular for those people with learning difficulties.  Healthwatch would be keen to help to disseminate any information around this issue as required.

The Chair stressed the importance of antibiotic guardians and was keen to publicise this area of work.

RESOLVED: To note the B&NES Health Protection Annual Report 2015-16 and the following priorities for the Health and Wellbeing Board for 2016/17:

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

(2)  To support the B&NES Antimicrobial Resistance Strategic Collaborative.

(3)  To continue to ensure that the public are informed about emerging threats to health.

(4)  To support the review of the Bath Air Quality Action Plan and support the implementation of the actions in the Saltford and Keynsham Air Quality Action Plans.

(5)  To increase the uptake of MMR vaccination in B&NES.

(6)  To improve the uptake of flu vaccinations in at risk groups, pregnant women, children and health care workers and support the STP work-stream to run collective campaigns for the influenza and pneumococcal vaccine.

(7)  To continue to reduce health inequalities in screening programmes.