To provide the Board with an update on the progress of the draft implementation plans for ‘Best Start in Life’ (BSiL) and ‘Good Mental Health’ (GMH) and to receive feedback and approval from the Board for the aforementioned plans.

Lindsay MacHardy (Public Health Principal) presented a brief update of the Best Start in Life and Good Mental Health implementation plans.

The Chair referred to the Healthy Tots programme and toolkits that are provided and asked how many Tots groups exist that are set up in villages and communities.

Lindsay MacHardy responded that a lot of Tots groups are not on the Talk Community directory. One of the things identified in the action plan is working with parish councils and the local communities in a different way to identify some of those groups.

The Chair also asked how parish councils are going to be communicated with to ask them about their Tots groups.

Lindsay MacHardy noted that there are going to be launch events with a series of launches to encourage others to come forward and have a wider variety of settings and interest groups as possible.

The Chair asked if progress on improving the health of children’s teeth in Herefordshire is being made.

Lindsay MacHardy acknowledged that progress is slow, but that fluoride varnishing was being looked at as a possibility to help improve children’s oral hygiene. There are also two practices that are starting in the new year which will cover about 30,000 people and it has been requested that they identify a number of places for young children.

Susan Harris (Director of Strategy and Partnerships) added that there is a mental health collaborative which sits across both Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The Better Mental Health Partnership sits under the One Herefordshire Partnership with a dedicated focus on mental health and wellbeing. It is a work in progress but aims to focus on the delivery of the strategy.

Hilary Hall (Corporate Director for Community Wellbeing) asked when we can expect to see the outcomes dashboard populated and agreed.

The Director of Public Health responded that on the outcomes dashboard, an item can be brought to the next HWB meeting.

David Mehaffey noted that there is a strong link between obesity and deprivation where obesity is highest in the most deprived communities. It was asked if it was known why childhood obesity levels are as high as they are.

The Director of Public Health responded that the answer was not known to why childhood obesity levels are as high as they are. It was noted that it is similar to oral health where oral health is not correlated with deprivation in Herefordshire whilst in some parts of the country it is.

Lindsay MacHardy added that some mapping is being done to map where oral health needs are showing for five-year olds with decayed or missing teeth. Other data is being looked at locally to see if other sophisticated mapping can be done with schools.

The Director of Public Health noted that work was being done on oral health, which had been brought to the last board meeting, and this could be brought back to the board at the next meeting.

The Chair agreed that obesity is linked to areas of deprivation but queried whether the link now is as great as it was. The Chair noted that she represents an area which is not particularly deprived but there is a significant number of young children who are overweight.

The Director of Public Health suggested a short briefing on childhood obesity could be brought to the next meeting alongside the Best Start in Life update in March.

Christine Price asked if there is a detailed piece around rurality and its impact.

The Director of Public Health suggested an item be brought to the board on rural deprivation at a following meeting.

David Mehaffey noted that money has been allocated on dental services, however, finding dentists to provide NHS services is difficult. It is a workforce challenge as opposed to a financial challenge.

The report recommendations were proposed, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Resolved that:

a)    That the Board consider the reports and note their progress.

b)    That the Board consider its response to the draft plans and suggest modifications for consideration as appropriate.

Action(s):

1.     To bring twice yearly updates to the board on progress against each implementation plan on Best Start in Life and Good Mental Health.

2.     To bring a short briefing on childhood obesity alongside the Best Start in Life update at the next HWB meeting in March.

3.     To bring an item on the outcomes dashboard at a following HWB meeting.

4.     To bring an item back to update the board on oral health at a following HWB meeting.

5.     To bring an item on rural deprivation at a following HWB meeting.