To publish the statutory annual report of the Director of Public Health on the health of people of Herefordshire, as required by the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

The Cabinet Member, Health and Wellbeing, introduced the third annual Public Health report. This year, the report focuses on children and young people and provides an overview of recommendations from the last report.

The Interim Director of Public Health described how the focus on children and young people recognises that although Herefordshire is a healthy county, sitting within the top 20% of counties for quality of health, there needs to be more focus on the younger section of the community. A range of partners are working together to recognise the link between poor health and social factors and the importance of access to services which impact on community resilience.

Dental public health has been identified as an area for further improvement, with links to diet, sugary foods and obesity.  Herefordshire has also been identified as a pilot site for a diabetes prevention programme. The style of the report is intended to encourage greater public engagement.

The Chair of the General Overview and Scrutiny Committee expressed concern about dental issues and the fluoridation of the water supply as a contributing factor in good dental health in children.  It was explained that fluoridation in Herefordshire is complex for a number of reasons. The cost effectiveness of fluoridation needs to be scoped and in the meantime, there are other measures such as engaging parents in the use of fluoride toothpaste at the same time as addressing the matter of over-consumption of sugary drinks and foods. Access to free dental healthcare is also an important factor, along with effective health promotion from professionals.

The leader of the Green Group emphasised the importance of Herefordshire’s geography as the natural environment is known to bring health benefits. Access to greenspace was acknowledged as an important factor in health and wellbeing across all age groups, and is supported by conservation organisations through such concepts as the green gym. The environment plays an important role in the transport plan, giving people the opportunity to cycle and walk safely and feel encouraged to be more physically active. 

The Cabinet Member for Children and young People responded to the earlier comment regarding dental health, explaining that health promotion work is in place with health visitors targeting 3 and 4 year-olds. 

The leader of It’s Our County welcomed the report and its focus on children and young people, noting prevention work as a key public health action. However, there was concern about there being sufficient resources to address these issues effectively.  The Interim Director of Public Health explained that Public Health England had recognised that rural counties were not receiving sufficient finance in funding allocations in order to provide the level of service required. There is always more that can be done around both primary and secondary prevention and ensuring that adults too are healthy and active in order to minimise health problems and reliance on complex health packages.

A typographical error was noted in the report’s recommendations and it was confirmed that the recommendations were to be addressed to Cabinet rather than Council.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received by Cabinet and published as required by the Health and social Care Act 2012.