Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Director of Public Health concerning the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), which set out the main findings of a review of the Sheffield JSNA conducted earlier in 2016 based on stakeholder interviews and literature. The report outlined actions, a timeline and resources required to develop an up to date JSNA by October 2016.

It was proposed to combine production of an up to date JSNA summary report with that of the 2016 Director of Public Health report, focused on the key actions and interventions that would improve outcomes and reduce health inequalities. The full redesign of the JSNA would then be developed as a phased programme of work starting later in the year.

Greg Fell, the Director of Public Health, stated that the JSNA had been defined differently by different local authorities. It was important that the document was both joint and focussed on need, rather than demand. There was also a duty to produce a Director of Public Health Annual Report. Public Health England produced data packs and ward and neighbourhood profiles which would help to inform this work. During the review, stakeholders had expressed concerns regarding organisations working in silos between organisations and within them and in relation to age groups. There was also a desire to increase emphasis on prevention.

The Board was asked to consider the following questions:

·         Is the proposal to combine the JSNA with this year’s DPH report acceptable?

·         Is the timescale of April to October 2016 acceptable?

·         Are there any nominations for the editorial group?

·         Is the broad approach to the report (i.e. based on starting well; living well; ageing well) acceptable?

·         Are there any specific questions the report should seek to answer?

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

Changes in the health of the population were gradual and it was accepted that for this year, an interim summary JSNA could be combined with the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report. The timescale of April to October 2016 was agreed. The interim Director of Public Health had engaged with stakeholders as part of the JSNA review. An editorial group would be established to oversee this work.  It was important to consider how data could be used to inform decisions on spending to bring about health improvement.  

There were other issues which should also be considered in the report relating to all age mental and emotional health and wellbeing and young people’s health. It was clarified that the Director of Public Report would continue to be produced annually.

RESOLVED: That the Health and Wellbeing Board:

1.      Agrees the approach to developing a combined report as set out in section 4 of the report submitted;

2.      Agrees the key actions and timescale set out in section 4 of the report; and

3.      Requests the final report for approval in October 2016.