The Strategic Director Health and Wellbeing will submit a report (Document “AL”) which informs the Area Committee about the work of the

Public Health Department, and in particular how the work contributes to the Health andWellbeing of the population of the Bradford South Area.

Recommended –

It is recommended that the report be welcomed by Bradford South Area Committee and that the views and comments of the Bradford South Area Committee be recorded and included in future recommendations.

Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee

The Strategic Director Health and Wellbeing submitted a report (Document “AL”) which informed the Area Committee about the work of the Public Health Department, and in particular how the work contributed to the Health and Wellbeing of the population of the Bradford South Area.

The Senior Public Health Manager along with a number of colleagues was present at the meeting to give an overview and respond to Members’ questions.  It was highlighted that the main health issues affecting the area was infant mortality, mortality due to cancer and cardiovascular disease for under 75 year olds and excess weight/obesity amongst children aged 4-5 and 10-11 years old.

She added that most of these condition/ diseases were linked to lifestyle and diet.  A major area of concern was cardiovascular disease and a number of initiatives such as the Bradford Healthy Hearts Programme were on going to tackle the issue, with the aim of adopting an approach to reduce cholesterol levels with the use of statins and other preventative measures.

The work around reducing blood pressure and reduce smoking was also alluded to and the support being provided to enable people to quit.

During the discussion,  a Member stated that many of the diseases affecting older people in South Bradford were linked to the industries in which they worked in previously, such as textiles and asbestos.  In addition poor air quality was another pertinent factor with busy congested main roads in close vicinity to schools and the pollution impact on children.

The Senior Public Health Manager acknowledged the work that needed to be done to tackle a number of these health problems, particularly in challenging the issue of air quality in and around the main arterial routes of the city. 

In addition she stated that the issue of healthy weight and childhood obesity was being looked at in detail, stressing that this was a long term issue with no quick fixes.

A Member stated that the NHS was not as proactive in dealing with preventing disease in the first place, and that more emphasis needed to be placed on this aspect of its work.

In response to a question on the success of the quit smoking programme, it was suggested that breakdown of the figures by ward would be provided to Members in due course.

A Member ascertained how the different health initiatives were being communicated to people for whom English was not their mother tongue.  In response it was explained that GP surgeries were aware of this and ensuring messages were communicated through appropriate channels.

A Member suggested that given the high incidence of cancer that improved cancer screening should be looked at.

A Member drew attention to much of the data contained in the report being some years old.  In response It was explained that gathering health information took a long time, however if more up to date figures were available they would be circulated to Members.

A Member drew attention to the growing problem of food poverty and although there was some excellent work being done in this area, more work was clearly needed.  The Senior Public Health Manager  acknowledged that a number of initiatives were on going to tackle food poverty, including the expansion of breakfast clubs, holiday hunger and a number of projects around food waste.

Resolved –

That the report be welcomed and that the views and comments of the Bradford South Area Committee be recorded and included in future recommendations.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Health and Wellbeing

Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee