Agenda item

The Select Committee are asked to consider the information presented within the report and note the key issues described.

Denice Burton, Assistant Director Health Improvement 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.

Mental Health Time to Change Pledge

Bath & North East Somerset Council is calling all employers to sign the Mental Health Time to Change Pledge. The Council has joined a growing number of companies nationally who have signed the pledge, demonstrating their commitment to taking action to improve attitudes towards mental health – overcoming the stigma surrounding mental health issues and offering more support in the workplace.

NHS diabetes programme bulletin

NHS England is launching a new bi-monthly bulletin to keep up to date all partners, stakeholders and providers involved in the delivery of the NHS Diabetes Programme. The bulletin will include updates from across all streams of the Programme (NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, Treatment and Care and Digital), share knowledge between delivery sites, help to build and maintain local engagement in the Programme and share reports, results and impact. The first bulletin is due to go out in November.

New guidance for professionals working with children and young people who self-harm

Over the past year a working party made of up of professionals from a range of B&NES services and young people from our CAMHS Participation Group have come together to review current guidance for professionals working with young people who self-harm.  It has been unanimously agreed that B&NES will adopt the information and guidance on the HarmLESS website developed by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and this content will replace all previous guidance.

Workplace Health Needs Assessment

Public Health England have published the Workplace Health Needs Assessment, a tool developed with Healthy Working Futures to help employers of all types and sizes to carry out workplace health needs assessments and provide practical workplace health advice. These resources add to existing materials for employers and local areas, including: employer toolkits developed with Business in the Community and others regarding mental health, musculoskeletal health, suicide prevention and suicide postvention; and a set of health and work infographics

Maternity services transformation

The local Maternity system (LMS) across B&NES, Wiltshire Swindon (STP footprint) has co-developed a transformation plan, in response to the national Better Birth Recommendations and the NHS Five Year Forward View. This is an exciting time for our maternity services and for women and families in B&NES, Wiltshire and Swindon. Service user representatives have been centrally involved in developing our local transformation plan, working alongside key stakeholders, sharing information, considering needs, identifying gaps and shaping services that have women and their families at the centre

The vision is that: “All women have a safe and positive birth and maternity experience, and be prepared to approach parenting with confidence.”

A full Engagement Plan is being developed, which will build on the work commenced by the Royal United Hospital in Bath in relation to place of birth. The MTP plan will be finalised by the end of November. The STP wide Maternity Strategy and Liaison Committee (MSLC) undertook a place of birth survey earlier this year with more than 800 responses. This feedback was used during the development of the plan and will form the basis of the Engagement Strategy.

Briefing for Councillors on Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) from the South West Regional Sexual Health Office

From September 2019 all schools will have to make provision for RSE and this briefing has been prepared for councillors across the region.

This briefing sets out the rationale for providing comprehensive Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in schools and the opportunities that statutory RSE offers to local authorities in safeguarding young people and improving their public health outcomes.

From September 2019:

·  In all secondary schools ‘relationships and sex education’ will become statutory – looking at what constitutes healthy relationships as well as the dangers of sexting, online pornography and sexual harassment

·  In primary schools ‘relationships education’ will become statutory - focusing on building healthy relationships and staying safe

·  Lessons will be delivered at an age-appropriate level using appropriate language, topics and activities

·  The parental right of withdrawal from sex education will be maintained

·  There will be flexibility for schools in their approach, including for faith schools to teach within the tenets of their faith

·  RSE will help all schools to fulfil their statutory duties in regards to safeguarding, wellbeing and equality

This change represents an opportunity for public health and local authorities who commission sexual health and children and young people’s services to help shape RSE.

Elected members can:

·  Be local champions for quality RSE in schools and across council services

·  Ensure local input into the national consultation on the content of RE, RSE and PSHE during the autumn of 2017

·  Ensure information about supporting RSE is included in the JSNA, Health and Wellbeing strategy and local children’s plans

·  Visit or talk to head teachers, teachers, PSHE leads and Healthy Schools Coordinators about delivering good quality RSE, following best practice guidance and support schools in sharing good practice with each other

·  Communicate positive messages and the benefits of high quality, age appropriate, se-positive RSE with fellow Members and school governors

·  Ensure that commissioners and providers are seeking the views of children and young people to inform what is provided and how it is delivered in schools

·  LAs need to provide strong leadership at this important time and support schools to make the necessary changes

Councillor Bryan Organ commented that the Mental Health Pledge in his view was vitally important. He added that focus should also be given to older people in the workforce who may need help with retaining concentration.

Denice Burton agreed that support will be required as we see a rise in workers with long term conditions.

Councillor Bryan Organ asked if she had any thoughts on the announcement that transgender children will be allowed to join Rainbows, Brownies and Girl Guides.

Denice Burton replied that she thought it was an enlightening approach, inclusive and forward thinking.

Councillor Geoff Ward commented that he believed that a growing number of people were becoming scared at the thought of retirement. He suggested that a promotion of activities available within the local community be embarked upon.

Denice Burton replied that it was important for people approaching retirement age to be happy, connected and active. She added that B&NES has invested in the Wellness Service that provides a holistic assessment of people’s needs.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson said that in support of people staying active, both physically and mentally, Radstock in Bloom were now receiving referrals.

Councillor Lin Patterson asked if there was locally a central volunteering register.

Denice Burton replied that Developing Health & Independence (DHI) has a volunteer recruitment programme and that work was being done to establish a volunteering network across the sector.

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