Agenda and minutes

Councillor Donna Jones, Leader of the City Council explained that she was standing in for Councillor Luke Stubbs as he had a meeting with the Secretary of State for Health that day.

No interests were declared.

Purpose.

To note that the Director of Public Health is publishing his statutory annual report for 2016.  The topic of this year's report is 'The stories behind the statistics', looking at the situations, attitudes and experiences associated with health among particular groups.

The Public Health Annual Report summarises key findings about the health of Portsmouth's residents, considers implication for action and makes recommendations.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care note the report.

Dr Jason Horsley, Director of Public Health for Southampton City Council and Portsmouth City Council introduced the report and in response to questions, clarified the following points:

The reported rates of self-harm in Portsmouth are higher than other comparable cities.  This may be because Portsmouth's rate is genuinely higher or it could be because the hospital is better at recording it.  He is putting self-harm and suicide prevention together because although suicide is very rare, those who self-harm are at a higher risk of committing suicide.

It is hoped that the sugar tax that is due to be introduced nationally in 2018 will have a positive effect. 

In Portsmouth houses used to be crowded around the port.  In the 1950s people moved away from this area and now in terms of affluence there seems to be a tale of two cities.  The southern side of Elm Grove is very affluent but the northern side is one of the most deprived areas in the city.

The responsibility for screening programmes moved from the Primary Care Trust to NHS England with input from Public Health England.  It is a very difficult brief as they are now responsible for screening and immunisation at a time when new screening and immunisation programmes are being introduced, old ones need to be maintained, and resources are constrained.

Flu vaccinations have been introduced in schools. 

Bowel cancer screening rates should improve as a new method is being introduced which is less invasive.

Councillor Jones read out a statement from Councillor Stubbs explaining that he did not feel that the introduction of a minimum price for high strength alcohol would reduce alcohol misuse.

Councillor Jones was pleased to note that the take up of the MMR vaccination was high; new developments must provide a proportion of affordable housing which has a positive impact health and wellbeing; the Wightlink operators have assured the council that their new ferry will be better for the environment; ferries now emit fewer pollutants and HGVs leaving the port are now directed on a route that avoids housing areas.

She also noted that it is important to encourage more people to visit urban green spaces including Victoria Park.

Councillor Vernon-Jackson noted that it is important to work on reducing harmful emissions from HGVs as these are the biggest contributor to air pollution in the city.  He also expressed concern that Portsmouth's self-harm rates are 33% higher than the national average and it was a shame that Off the Record which offered free, confidential counselling had shut.

Councillor Jones responded that Off the Record is open and has an office in Havant. 

DECISION

The report was noted.

Purpose

As requested by the Cabinet Member of Health and Social Care, the purpose of this report is to provide an update on the performance of the assessment function for those parts of Adult Social Care that were within the scope of the service's systems thinking intervention, which began in October 2015.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care note the report.

Dave Adams, Lead Interventionist introduced the report and in response to questions explained the following:

The time taken for Adult Social Care service users to have their needs met have significantly reduced and savings have been made.  Feedback is very positive.

A lot of work has been carried out with care commissioners (Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council) and providers (Solent NHS Trust and Southern Health).  Portsmouth's discharge team is performing better than those in other Local Authorities.

Clients now receive a more personalised service which is better suited to their needs. 

The work with the Learning Disabilities team is not yet completed.

The focus is now on strengthening the care market to ensure that a wide range of options is available.

Social Workers have been empowered to make better use of the resources in the market.

Communication with staff had been a key part of the process.

Councillor Vernon-Jackson reported that the parents of someone with a LD had informed him that they felt there was now less choice for day care.

Councillor Jones noted that:

The average waiting time for a learning disability service had reduced from 280 to 40.

Direct payment system has empowered service users about the care they receive and has saved the council money. 

The feedback had been excellent regarding the time taken for the delivery of care packages.

DECISION

The report was noted.