Issue - meetings

PUBLIC HEALTH ANNUAL REPORT 2019 – CREATIVE COMMUNITIES

Meeting: 19/11/2019 - Adult Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Item 32)

32 Public Health Annual Report 2019 – Creative Communities pdf icon PDF 137 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Julie Webster, Director for Health and Wellbeing introduced the Public Health Annual Report (PHAR) 2019, an independent annual report, and a statutory requirement. The PHAR had been considered by Cabinet at its meeting held on 30 September 2019 (minute 32 refers) and by Council at its meeting held on 14 October 2019 (minute 71 refers). The report informed that engaging with cultural activities had several positive benefits; it helped people to recover from illness, both physical and mental and helped preventing illness and keeping people well.

 

The 2019 Report, Creative Communities, explored the role of culture as a means of improving health and wellbeing, presented local examples of those bene?ts and called for everyone in Wirral to be part of a Borough of Culture legacy that left people happier and healthier.

 

The Adult care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted that the PHAR was an important vehicle to identify key issues, flag up problems, report progress and inform local inter agency action. The purpose of the PHAR was to draw attention to local issues of importance which had an impact on population health. Since the Council took back responsibility for Public Health in 2013 it had published five reports on:

 

  • Social isolation
  • Healthy schools and children
  • Domestic violence
  • The roles of the Council and NHS in promoting health and wellbeing
  • Problem gambling

 

The Committee was informed that these reports had led to action in the reduction of people smoking in the Borough to levels below the national average; increased support for people who were feeling socially isolated plus significant activity across a range of partners to highlight and reduce the damage caused to local communities from alcohol abuse and gambling.

 

The 2019 Report sought to influence the developing narrative around social prescribing and how the Council engaged and worked with local people to support them to live healthier lives.

 

The Director for Health and Wellbeing informed Members of the strong relationship held between the Council and grass root organisations such as Age UK and Open Door and explained how Wirral’s tenure as ‘Borough of Culture’ had played a significant role as part of, and integral to, healthcare of residents.

 

A Member commented that in terms of public health she had been surprised that engagement in cultural activities had been the focus of this year’s annual report, and felt there should be more focus on poverty, housing, and age/health inequalities – all of which were significant issues that needed to be addressed and reported.

 

The Chair highlighted that there didn’t appear to be any reference to fuel / food poverty, and although not dismissing report, because there were benefits evident, she felt the annual report needed to report on and address such key issues as a priority.

 

A short discussion took place, with Members expressing views on such matters as a more ‘back to basics’ public health report – covering obesity, alcohol, housing, dental care, and vaccinations – with supporting data to be provided. Other issues raised by Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32


Meeting: 14/10/2019 - Council (Item 71)

71 Public Health Annual Report 2019 – Creative Communities pdf icon PDF 62 KB

With reference to the Cabinet, 30 September 2019 (Minute 31 refers).The Council be recommended to agree to the following:

 

That the recommendations of the Public Health Annual Report 2019 be endorsed and its publication be supported.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council considered a report of the Cabinet from its meeting held on 30 September 2019 concerning the Public Health Annual Report (PHAR) 2019, an independent annual report of the Director of Public Health and a statutory requirement.

 

Resolved (unanimously) - that the recommendations of the Public Health Annual Report 2019 be endorsed and its publication be supported.


Meeting: 30/09/2019 - Cabinet (Item 32)

32 Public Health Annual Report 2019 – Creative Communities pdf icon PDF 139 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Health and Wellbeing introduced the Public Health Annual Report (PHAR) 2019, an independent annual report of the Director of Public Health and a statutory requirement.

 

It was reported that engaging with cultural activities was good for everyone; it helped people to recover from illness, both physical and mental and protected against it; preventing illness and keeping people well no matter how young or old they were.

 

The 2019 Report, Creative Communities, explored the role of culture as a means of improving health and wellbeing, presented local examples of those bene?ts and called for everyone in Wirral to be part of a Borough of Culture legacy that left people happier and healthier.

 

The Cabinet noted that the PHAR was an important vehicle to identify key issues, flag up problems, report progress and inform local inter agency action. The purpose of the PHAR was to draw attention to local issues of importance which had an impact on population health. Since the Council took back responsibility for Public Health in 2013 it had published five reports on:

 

·  Social isolation

·  Healthy schools and children

·  Domestic violence

·  The roles of the Council and NHS in promoting health and wellbeing

·  Problem gambling

 

The Cabinet was informed that these reports had led to action in the reduction of people smoking in the Borough to levels below the national average; increased support for people who were feeling socially isolated plus significant activity across a range of partners to highlight and reduce the damage caused to local communities from alcohol abuse and gambling.

 

The 2019 Report sought to influence the developing narrative around social prescribing and how the Council engaged and worked with local people to support them to live healthier lives.

 

This matter was not a key decision but did affect all the Wards within the Borough.

 

Councillor Chris Jones thanked the Interim Director for Health and Wellbeing and her staff for the hard work they had put into the report.  She informed that the Council wanted to see a legacy from the Borough of Culture which would impact on health and wellbeing going forward.  The case studies in the report had showed the impact the cultural activities had.  The Borough of Culture had been fantastic and had brought a number of people together.

 

Councillor Jones informed that one thousand residents participated in the sofa session talking about culture and creativity and their own health and wellbeing.  The report would hopefully inspire and energise individuals and encourage increased collaboration between different disciplines and organisations.  The third sector had had a fantastic impact on this work.

 

Councillor Chris Spriggs emphasised the importance of the health and wellbeing aspects of the work that had been done.  Arts and creativity had provided a positive impact on individuals and on communities for a whole range of reasons. People were much more knowledgeable now and there were many ways creativity was used to help people with their mental health and with social isolation connecting better and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32