Agenda item

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

Charlotte Matthews, Public Health Specialty Registrar addressed the Select Committee. A copy of the update can be found on their Minute Book and as an online appendix to these minutes, a summary of the update is set out below.

Sugar Smart Collaborative

One in five reception aged children and one in three 10-11 year olds in B&NES weighs more than is healthy.  Over half of adults in B&NES are likely to be overweight or obese too. 

We have set up a Sugar Smart collaborative to tackle this.  We will be working in partnership with the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation and Sustain (an alliance for better food and farming) to run a year-long campaign to help people spot hidden sugars in food and drink.

Domestic Abuse

It is estimated that 5,936 women aged between 16-59 in B&NES have been a victim of domestic abuse in the past year.  There were 1,110 domestic abuse crimes recorded by the police in 2015/16, an increase of 25% compared to 2014/15.

The B&NES Domestic Abuse Partnership is preparing a bid to the Home Office transformation fund for a range of domestic abuse support including an independent domestic violence advisor for people with complex needs including substance misuse and/or mental ill health.

Smoking

12 Sports Clubs were successful in applying for the first round of our Smoke Free Sports Club grant.  Football, rugby and cricket clubs across the area have received £500 to implement a smoke-free touchline policy for their youth sports with signage and training for staff.  We intend to allocate a further 8 grants by the end of the financial year. 

Our Healthy Lifestyles service is launching an E-cigarette campaign to encourage smokers to switch to e-cigarettes or to help those who are smoking and vaping to get support with quitting tobacco completely. The ‘Time to Switch’ campaign is a new approach to reaching out to vapers (who are predominantly smokers trying to quit) and has been shown to increase uptake of support services in other areas of the country.

Dementia Alliance

After discussion at the Health and Wellbeing Board, B&NES Council, CCG and Healthwatch all agreed to become members of the B&NES dementia action alliance, giving their commitment as organisations to help make B&NES an easier place for people with dementia and their carers to live well in their communities.

HIV Advice and Support

The Public Health team are pleased to have supported the Eddystone Trust to secure funding from St John’s Hospital Trust for a service supporting people living with HIV in B&NES. The Eddystone Trust was commissioned by public health and adult social care to deliver a support service for people in B&NES living with HIV/AIDS, but as part of the budget prioritisation this service is ending in March 2017.  It was a difficult decision to make and public health worked with the Trust to find alternative funding.  The Trust has now been awarded a grant to deliver a two year service to reduce isolation and increase support for communities living with HIV.

Councillor Lin Patterson asked if she could be provided with an update on any recent studies by Public Health relating to air pollution.

Charlotte Matthews replied that she would seek an update on this matter.

Councillor Dine Romero asked if as part of the Sugar Smart Collaborative work they had considered approaching private gyms or leisure facilities.

Charlotte Matthews replied that work was in its early stages and that they had begun some targeted work with some schools. She added that those groups mentioned were on their radar.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson commented that she was concerned over the reduction in the budget for sexual health education. She added that she was pleased to see the work regarding Domestic Abuse, but urged for provision for male victims to be sought.

Councillor Geoff Ward said that he sees the role of Public Health at the very heart of the Council. He asked if they took part in any joined up work with officers within Environmental Health and Development Management.

Charlotte Matthews replied that they do have a number of strategic groups in place.

Councillor Paul May asked if any long term funding was available in relation to domestic abuse.

The Inclusive Communities Manager commented that funding is received from the Police & Crime Commissioner and that a three year grant is currently in place. She added that this allows advisers to carry out work at both the RUH and Southside. She stated that there was a dangerous level of referrals currently.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson asked if the Select Committee could have a breakdown of the overall figures regarding domestic abuse for female victims and male.

Charlotte Matthews replied that Public Health would be happy to share available information.

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