Agenda item

To receive the 2017-18 annual report of the Director of Public Health, Dr Lincoln Sargeant. Dr Sargeant will be in attendance at the meeting to present his report to Members.

The Chair welcomed Dr Lincoln Sargeant, Director of Public Health for North Yorkshire to the meeting to present the annual report of the Director of Public Health for North Yorkshire.

Dr Sargeant gave a presentation to the Committee on the report and the following points were highlighted:

·         The Committee was shown the areas of depravation in North Yorkshire with the former wards of Selby East and Selby West being highlighted as areas affected in Selby.

·         It was noted that the trend was demonstrating an ageing population across the country. The Director of Public Health highlighted statistics on the life expectancy of males and females including the healthy life expectancy of those in North Yorkshire. Additionally, the Committee was presented with the contribution to the life expectancy gap between the most and least deprived quintiles in North Yorkshire.

·         The Committee was presented with statistics regarding the life expectancy and healthy life expectancy for the highest and lowest areas in Selby.

·         With regard to children living in poverty, the Committee was informed that the latest estimates showed more than 21,000 children were living in poverty after housing costs in North Yorkshire.

·         In terms of engagement for future priorities for public health, the Director of Public Health explained that consultation had taken place with a number of stakeholders and the public. The key themes arising from the consultation exercise were health inequality, mental health, obesity and our ageing population.

·         With regard to inequalities, the Director of Public Health explained that there was inequality between in communities in North Yorkshire and that it was further complication by rurality, housing affordability and fuel poverty.

·         In respect of mental health, the Committee was informed that there had been a steep increase in people experiencing mental illness, mental distress and difficulties for these people to access appropriate services. It was also noted that people with mental health problems, also experienced worse physical health when compared to the general population.

·         The Director of Public Health explained that the three key recommendations arising out of the engagement would be reduce inequalities, improve public mental health and embed public health. The Director of Public Health outlined to the Committee how he would action the recommendations and this included:

o   In respect of reducing inequalities, improving the understanding of the experience of people who had poorer health outcomes to guide delivery and the planning of services.

o   In respect of mental health, work in partnerships with communities and other agencies to implement initiatives that both promote positive mental health and prevent mental ill health.

o   In respect of embedding a public health approach, ensuring greater joint working between sectors to co-ordinate and maximise use of resources to address population health.

The following discussion took place by the Committee:

·         Discussion took place about the budget pressures faced by North Yorkshire County Council and how this was affecting the services provided for young and older people. The Director of Public Health explained that the Council did face budget pressures however had invested £1m into the Stronger Communities programme which had created opportunities for healthy changes in areas of North Yorkshire.

·         Concern was raised at the loneliness and isolation faced by some people and it was felt that the removal of some bus services in rural locations had not helped this issue. The Director of Public Health stated that it was important to invest in local community groups such as those similar to the Big Local which could assist in this issue.

The Chair thanked Dr Sargeant for his attendance.

RESOLVED:

To note the report and the comments made by the Committee.