The Director of Public Health will submit Document “G” which provides an overview of local performance based on the Public Health Outcomes Framework, highlighting how indicators compare with England.

The report also provides additional focus on a number of indicators which are high profile; where the Committee has asked for more detail; or where there have been noteworthy changes in performance.

Recommended –

That the content of the report be acknowledged and the Director of Public Health be requested to provide a further performance report on Public Health Outcome Framework indicators in 2019. 

(Jonathan Stansbie – 01274 436031)

The Director of Public Health submitted Document “G” which provided an overview of local performance based on the Public Health Outcomes Framework and highlighted how indicators compared nationally.

The report also provided additional focus on a number of indicators which were high profile; where the Committee had asked for more detail; or where there had been noteworthy changes in performance.

Document “G” revealed that the PHOF was introduced by the Department of Health (DH) in April 2013 as part of health and social care reforms which gave local authorities statutory responsibilities for the health of their population.  The PHOF examined indicators that helped to understand trends in public health and how well public health was being improved and protected.  The framework was broken down into a set of overarching indicators which related to life expectancy; reducing inequalities in life expectancy, and healthy life expectancy between communities.  The remaining indicators were grouped into four different domains:

-       Wider determinants of health

-       Health improvement

-       Health protection

-       Healthcare and premature mortality

The PHOF data for all local authorities was presented for each indicator.  Figures were generally based on annual information or an aggregate of years where numbers were small.   Figures for each local authority were compared against the average for England and demonstrated if an indicator was ‘significantly worse’, ‘not significantly different’ or ‘significantly better’ than the England average.

A full list of all indicators and sub indicators along with their current figures were appended to Document “G” and showed current values and provided an indication of trends.

It was explained that of the 131 indicators and sub indicators where significance against the England average had been tested, 51 were significantly worse, 54 were not significantly different and 26 were significantly better.  A breakdown of that information by domain was provided.

The health improvement indicators included child excess weight and a Member reported her concern that whilst visiting an authority run swimming pool she had witnessed children purchasing high sugar energy drinks for sale at the pool.  The Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Healthy People and Places agreed to take up the matter with officers immediately.

Whilst acknowledging the complexity of the indicators under discussion, and the variety of determinants which could influence those figures, a Member requested that subsequent reports provide a more detailed explanation of indicators which had worsened and what had affected that outcome.

In response to questions about the year on year reduction in incidents of tuberculosis it was explained that this was likely to be in part due to changes in migrant screening undertaken before people moved to the UK. 

Members requested information on a potential north/south divide or between ethnic groups for the indicators provided. It was explained that there was a clear link between deprivation and lower life expectancy.  Figures were not recorded on ethnicity. 

Following discussions on screening for prostate cancer it was reported that a decision had been made nationally not to screen for that type of cancer.  That decision was based on advice provided by the National Screening Committee.  For any screening test to be introduced there must be clear evidence that people would not be harmed; accordingly having an accurate screening test was key to that.  Members were advised that such evidence and developments were regularly reviewed by the National Screening Committee and Members would be informed if any changes to the advice were made

A Member raised the issue of breastfeeding and statistics demonstrating the health benefits of breastfeeding.  It was explained that the evidence was overwhelming supporting the  health benefits of breastfeeding and that there were numerous programmes and initiatives to encourage women to breastfeed in the District.

The work undertaken to increase the uptake of the MMR vaccine was welcomed.  The measures taken to protect people from domestic violence and violent crime were questioned and in response it was explained that the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee were investigating that issue.  Members were also advised that the Health and Wellbeing Board had been expanded to include Members of the Police and the comments made at the meeting about domestic violence and crime would be taken on board.

Resolved –

That the content of the report be acknowledged and a further progress report be presented on the Public Health Outcomes Framework Indicators in 2019.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Health and Wellbeing