Agenda item

This report describes both the mandatory and non-mandatory public health responsibilities, functions and services delivered in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.

The Committee received a report on public health responsibilities, functions and services delivered in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.

Councillor Carlebach queried:  the relationship with the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA); the absence of paediatrics or oral health as a key work area; the choice of a key indicator for tooth decay in children age 5, when there was significant tooth decay in children under this age, many of whom had teeth removed under general anaesthetic; and the conflicting advice from Public Health and the CCG in respect of school absences, whereby schools required a note from GPs and the CCG advised parents not to take their children to a GP.

Mr Lines responded that the requirement to produce a JSNA had been placed on  the NHS and local authorities some seven years previously. The JSNA was led by Public Health, which also undertook the main analysis and presentation. Post the transfer of funding to local authorities, there remained a leadership post in the Public Health team for the JSNA. The JSNA informs commissioning.

The Public Health Children & Families team led on a range of work, including child oral health. The indicators were national ones, and not from the Public Health Outcomes Framework.

Mr Lines noted that decayed, missing or filled teeth (DMFT) in children might be indicators of other diseases and poor diet.

In respect of the conflicting advice from Public Health and the CCG, it was noted that the issue had been raised with Andrew Christie and that he would be able to provide an update in respect to the messages being given to parents by schools.

The Chair proposed and it was agreed by the Committee that the guillotine be extended to 10.10pm.

Mr Lines was unable to respond to specific queries on key work areas such as NHS Health Checks and children and families issues, and offered to bring more detailed reports about the Public Health programmes to future meetings.

Councillor Vaughan referred to the issues in respect of administration and promotion of the flu vaccination, and whether there were any other issues about which the PAC needed to be aware. Mr Lines responded that preventative health was reflected in the forthcoming public health strategy. Screening, particularly cancer screening uptake was another issue, and this was partially covered in the strategy. There was shared responsibility between Public Health England and NHS England, and a need to work across the system to ensure good uptake.

Councillor Carlebach noted the absence in the strategy of muscular skeletal conditions and the need to focus on prevention and the wider determinants of health. Mr Lines responded that Public Health would support the preventative aspects of the Care Act, which were likely to be most relevant, and could bring a report to a future meeting.

RESOLVED THAT:

The committee recommended that:

1.    Tooth decay in all children, not just age five, should be a key indicator.

2.    Public health advice in respect of children off school should be in line with the advice given by schools.

3.    PHE should work with NHSE in respect of immunisation and screening.

4.    A more detailed report in respect of key work areas be added to the work programme.