The Strategic Director of Health and Wellbeing will submit a report (Document “X”) which seeks to inform Bradford South Area Committee of data and activities relating to the health and wellbeing of the population of Bradford South constituency.

Recommended –

It is recommended that option 9.2 set out on Document “X” is adopted in order to support the overall health and well-being of the residents of Bradford South.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Health & Social Care

(Angela Hutton - 01274 437345)

The Strategic Director of Health and Wellbeing submitted a report (Document “X”) which sought to inform Bradford South Area Committee of data and activities relating to the health and wellbeing of the population of the Bradford South constituency.

The report outlined some of the work and activities of teams within Public Health and work with partners, as well as the key heath indicators around life expectancy, Infant mortality, respiratory health and obesity levels, with the general trend showing poor outcomes across the majority of health outcomes both within an overall Bradford and national context.

During the discussion Members expressed a number of concerns around the health outcomes affecting Bradford South and that it portrayed a grim picture.

With the majority of the outcomes showing red and amber, a Member stated that air pollution in Tong was a major contributory factor to poor health outcomes, with levels showing some of the highest concentrations in the country.  This coupled with poor social housing, with damp being a particular concern, should be a particular area of focus.  In response it was stated that more work with housing standards, as well as the social housing provider was needed to tackle these issues.

The lack of adequate primary care facilities in the Great Horton Ward was cited as a particular issue and residents inability to access them was no doubt contributing to the poor health outcomes in the ward.  It was stated that this matter would be raised with the Public Health Intelligence Team.

The current cost of living crisis was cited as another area of concern and that the fear of debt would have a profound impact on peoples mental health across the district, and their inability to heat their homes would no doubt have an impact on their physical health.  In response it was stated that this piece of work was already being looked at in conjunction with Partners and the existing work around poverty.

A Member expressed concerns that the report failed to highlight any tangible outcomes as well as what preventative work was being undertaken to address health inequalities.  In response it was stated that a number of preventative programmes had yielded some good results, including the exercise referral programme, and although they were aimed at addressing existing long term health issues, they did have an impact in improving general health.

The issue of childhood obesity was also cited as a particular area of concern and that the figures were still showing an upward trajectory.  In response it was stated that that the sedentary lifestyle of many children was of particular concern both at a local and national level.

A Member suggested that any initiatives to tackle health inequalities had to be ward specific as issues differed from ward to ward and that effective engagement and signposting with communities was crucial.

A Member suggested that other Council and outside Services need to analyse and look at this data more closely so that services can be better tailored.  In response it was stressed that the intention of public health coming into the Council was to address this very issue and ensure better coordination of services.

The poor help services around mental health was also highlighted and in particular the inadequate provision within schools, where there had been a noticeable rise in numbers.

It was suggested that a further report should be submitted around efforts to tackle obesity and mental health and that when the 2021/22 figures become available, a report should be brought to this Committee, and it was therefore:

Resolved –

(1)       That option 9.2 set out on Document “X” be adopted, in order to          support the overall health and well-being of the residents of     Bradford South.

(2)       That a further reported be submitted to this Area Committee on efforts to tackle obesity and mental health issues in the Bradford South area.

(3)       That once the 2021/2022 health data become available, a further report is brought to this Area Committee early in the new Municipal Year.

ACTION: Strategic Director of Health

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Health & Social Care