Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Director of Public Health concerning Outcome 3 of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy: Health inequalities are reducing. Dr Stephen Horsley, Director of Public Health presented the report, which set out progress over the past year and things the Health and Wellbeing Board could do to ensure that progress continued.

Outcome 3 was concerned with people and communities who experienced the poorest health and wellbeing and the need to address those communities who experience the worst health and wellbeing inequalities. The report set out performance relative to the relevant outcome indicators, which comprised the slope index of inequality in life expectancy (Men); the slope index of inequality in life expectancy (Women); excess winter deaths; and excess premature mortality in people with a serious mental illness.

A programme of health needs assessments were being undertaken for a number of communities of interest in recognition that further evidence was required in relation to other drivers of health inequalities and the results would form supplements to the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment. The report included a summary of progress, action by action, under each outcome in the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Members of the Board asked questions and commented on the issues raised by the report, as summarised below:

Although there was much activity taking place with regards reducing health inequalities and a considerable amount of work would be done with communities over the next ten years, the outcome measures were not improving and it was considered that there might be opportunities to approach matters differently. Comparative data showed that other Core Cities were making some advances. It was important that Sheffield challenged itself to make progress and tackle gaps. Whilst large scale initiatives had taken place,  such as the Decent Homes programme, certain elements of the programme may not have been fully developed to bring about wider improvements to health and wellbeing, for example to reduce fuel poverty and there was scope to review such programmes and to support innovation. The Best Start Programme was a good example from which to learn.

Life expectancy indicators for Sheffield were not improving and child poverty was increasing, in relation to which the impact of welfare reforms had to be taken into account. Potential opportunities for research funding might be explored.

In relation to new arrivals, resources which previously formed the Migrant Impact Fund were within the Social Fund and ways needed to be considered of making sure that the necessary funds were available to the City.

It was likely to take a considerable amount of time to change the outcomes as measured by the outcome indicators as there was much impetus behind them. With regards to life expectancy, consideration should also be given as to the quality of life for people with chronic health conditions. 

The Council’s Corporate Plan referred to a priority for the Council to be an organisation which was ‘in-touch’, responsive and flexible and one that could change and adapt and the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy also needed to take such principles into account. Consideration also had to be given the effect of changes, such as those regarding accessibility of funds directed to the impact of migration.

Resolved: That the Board:

1.    Actively supports the recommendations made under each action in the report of the Director of Public Health now submitted.

2.    Supports the ongoing programme of needs assessment.

3.    Requests a further update on this outcome in June 2016.

(At this point in the proceedings, Councillor Mary Lea took the Chair, Councillor Julie Dore having vacated the Chair and left the meeting.)