Proposed by Councillor Leah Fraser

Seconded by Councillor Geoffrey Watt

(1) Council welcomes the work of charities, voluntary organisations and the public sector in Wirral to tackle issues related to public health, including activities around World Aids Day on December 1st.

(2) Council is therefore concerned to note that the number of public health

consultants and registrars has been reduced.

(3) Council also notes there has been no significant public health campaign to warn of the dangers of HIV among younger people and high-risk groups since the 1980s.

(4) Council therefore calls on the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Health and the Chief Executive of the NHS to express these concerns and request urgent attention.

AMENDMENT

Proposed by Councillor Moira McLaughlin

Seconded by Councillor Phil Davies

Delete everything after paragraph 1 and insert the following:

(2) Council notes the difficulties currently being experienced at national level in recruiting Directors of Public Health, but welcomes the fact that the more recently formed Public Health Teams which are multi-disciplinary, and made up of highly qualified health professionals, are working effectively to tackle public health issues across the spectrum.

(3) Further, though Council is pleased to note that the incidence of HIV / Aids is low and reducing in Wirral, there is a continued need to educate young people in the dangers of harmful and risky sexual behaviour, which could result in unwanted conceptions and the contracting of sexually transmitted diseases, and therefore welcomes the work of front line staff in the Children and Young People’s Department and the PCTs Health Services in Schools to promote a responsible approach to sexual health by delivering the "Under 19`s Sexual Health Policy."

The amendment was put and carried (37:22)

AMENDMENT

Proposed by Councillor Jean Quinn

Seconded by Councillor Ann Bridson

Delete paragraph (2) and replace with:

(2) In addition, Council welcomes the increase in the number of public health

consultants in Wirral in the last 12 months

After paragraph (3) insert new paragraph:

(4) Council believes that the education of young people should include sensible advice on family planning, safe sexual practice and contraception within heterosexual and homosexual relationships.

Re-number paragraph (4) as (5) and add to end of that paragraph:

“, asks the Director of Children and Young People’s Service to ensure the education of young people in these areas is appropriately delivered and requests that the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee seek a report on HIV in Wirral and what measures are being taken to address the issues raised.”

The amendment was put and carried (37:22)

Resolved – That the motion, as now amended and set out below, be approved.

(1) Council welcomes the work of charities, voluntary organisations and the public sector in Wirral to tackle issues related to public health, including activities around World Aids Day on December 1st.

(2) Council notes the difficulties currently being experienced at national level in recruiting Directors of Public Health, but welcomes the fact that the more recently formed Public Health Teams which are multi-disciplinary, and made up of highly qualified health professionals, are working effectively to tackle public health issues across the spectrum. In addition, Council welcomes the increase in the number of public health consultants in Wirral in the last 12 months.

(3) Further, though Council is pleased to note that the incidence of HIV / Aids is low and reducing in Wirral, there is a continued need to educate young people in the dangers of harmful and risky sexual behaviour, which could result in unwanted conceptions and the contracting of sexually transmitted diseases, and therefore welcomes the work of front line staff in the Children and Young People’s Department and the PCTs Health Services in Schools to promote a responsible approach to sexual health by delivering the "Under 19`s Sexual Health Policy.

(4) Council believes that the education of young people should include sensible advice on family planning, safe sexual practice and contraception within heterosexual and homosexual relationships.

(5) Council therefore calls on the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Health and the Chief Executive of the NHS to express these concerns and request urgent attention.

Council asks the Director of Children and Young People’s Service to ensure the education of young people in these areas is appropriately delivered and requests that the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee seek a report on HIV in Wirral and what measures are being taken to address the issues raised.