Agenda item

This paper presents the annual report of the Director of Public Health 2015-16 for consideration by Health, Adult Social Care and Social Inclusion Policy and Accountability Committee and was previously considered by the Health and Wellbeing Board, at it’s meeting held on 7^th September 2016

The Chair welcomed Cynthia Folarin, Deputy Director of Public Health, RBKCand Colin Brodie, Public Health Knowledge Manager, who jointly presented the Annual Public Health Report, 2015-16, from the Director of Public Health covering the three boroughs.  The report, “Sitting is the new Smoking” was a statutory requirement and focused on three key messages: physical activity is good for mental health; any physical activity was better than none; and everybody active, everyday.  The report focussed on the importance of physical activity, to those segments of the population that are physically inactive. The report particularly contributed to improving the health and well-being of the local population and highlights health inequalities.

Bryan Naylor, Co-optee, expressed concern about the repetitive nature of the report and that it only addressed one part of the overall subject.  He referred briefly to the loss of funding for a variety of activities within the borough, several of which were recommended in the report.  Colin Brodie responded that the intention had been to produce a document with a short, focussed message that would be easily accessible by the public, to highlight the dangers of physical inactivity.  Councillor Vivienne Lukey added that the Director of Public Health had selected this as the theme for the report and was in addition to other, more detailed public health reports focusing on LBHF, which she suggested be circulated to members.   It was accepted that the aim of the report was to provide a brief, clear message but Mr Naylor also asserted that the report failed to convey it’s intended message with sufficient depth. 

Councillor Natalia Perez referred to the increasingly sedentary lifestyle resulting from the amount of time spent using smart technology.  Referring to the activities highlighted in the report such as cycling, walking and swimming she enquired if any of the recommendations had been informed by the provision of subsidised services at a local level, observing that privately-run gyms were expensive.  Colin Brodie affirmed that the recommendations demonstrated a case for longer term investment in activities to save on the possible cost of future healthcare needs.  Opportunities for health benefits resulting from low cost physical activities such as gardening and housework could form part of a daily routine, as set out in the get going campaign, signposting no cost and low cost activities.  Councillor Lukey added that the Council was in the process of refreshing its sports and leisure strategy, in addition to a physical exercise strategy. 

Councillor Lukey also referred to a free event in Normand Park being organised in partnership with Queens Park Rangers Football Club.  It was acknowledged that whilst there might exist an association between the use of smart technology and less physical activity, the evidence to refute this required further analysis.   Colin Brodie continued, observing that activities requiring physical exertion were being filtered out of our daily lives, by for example, multiple car ownership or not walking to school.  It was acknowledged that it was difficult to obtain local empirical evidence to support this link, which was only available at a national level.

Patrick McVeigh, Co-optee, welcomed the report and briefly referenced his personal experiences and subsequent cardiovascular rehabilitation treatment.  He suggested that more could be done to raise awareness of the way in which blood pressure indicated changes in health and that better education would be helpful in identifying possible ill-health earlier.  He referred to page 78 of the report, indicator 30, Under 75 mortality rate: cardiovascular, and, indicator 9, Obese children (Y6), both of which were higher than RBKC and WCC.  He enquired if it was possible to initiate a programme to capture data about levels of physical activity in schools and suggested that this could be used to engage with children about what it means to be healthy. 

Colin Brodie responded that data was not routinely collected from schools and that latest available data was from 2009/10.  He understood that there was currently work being undertaken as part of the Healthy Schools Partnership and explained that they had planned to meet with sports and leisure colleagues to explore how the key messages could be embedded within existing campaigns.  He added that the slightly poorer performance figures may be due to several factors but could warrant further exploration.

Councillor Joe Carlebach acknowledged that physical activity improved mental health but commented on the life expectancy of people with physical and learning disabilities and asked how this could be addressed and enquired about the lack of reference to mental health champions.  Colin Brodie referenced a list at the back of the report giving useful contact links.  He acknowledged that in trying to keep the document short, the positive message about physical activity and good mental health had not come through.  Whilst it did much to raise the profile generally, it could go further.  To illustrate, they were aware of the health inequalities affecting black and ethnic minorities or people with long term health issues, and the link to deprived areas.

Councillor Brown commented that he appreciated frustrations inherent in trying to make small changes in public behaviour, to effect bigger changes, referencing the Mayor’s bike scheme which he hoped to see further extended across London boroughs.  He also expressed the view Public Health needed to be more revolutionary and that Public Health was about affecting changes in behaviour. Councillor Fennimore informed the meeting that Councillor Lukey had recently attended a second meeting of the Disability Commission, and anticipated that they would cover several of the issues raised by Members, which could be reported back to the Committee.   

Councillor Vaughan welcomed the report and commented that whilst it had focussed well on one issue, it would have benefitted from having more local and recent data, particularly the data around schools, although acknowledging the difficulties in obtaining the latter.  He went on to say that the report succeeded in being a readable and accessible, public document and supported the short, focussed approach taken.  In response to a final question, Colin Brodie explained that there were several local events and activities being undertaken across the borough, broadly supporting the key messages in the report.  He commented that they did not want to duplicate local campaigns that were also conduits for promoting health messages and welcomed further input as to how such messages might be promoted. 

Councillor Vaughan concluded by enquiring how the Council could assist Public Health in obtaining the data required and what work was required.  Councillor Fennimore observed that positive impacts on health resulting in, for example, lower levels of heart disease, would not result in immediate changes but would have long term impact.

RESOLVED

1.    That the planned work on the sports and leisure strategy, in addition to physical activity, be considered by Health, Adult Social Care and Social Inclusion Policy and Accountability Committee and included in the Work Programme; and

2.    That the report be noted.