Agenda item

Report of the Director of Public Health

The Director of Public Health submitted a report (previously circulated) sharing the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2023-2024 – Women’s Health: Taking action in Darlington (also previously circulated).

It was reported that the Annual Report considered keys areas of women’s health, with the aims of highlighting inequalities that girls and women face, and understanding what this means for Darlington; and that the report included chapters on early years and adolescence, women’s health services, employment and wellbeing and the importance of women’s safety on their ability to live a healthy, fulfilling life.

Following a query, Members entered into a discussion regarding mental health, noting that reasons for self-harm and suicide were complex; Members highlighted the need for a focus on healthy exercise rather than ‘sport’ and were informed that work was being undertaken to develop a physical activity strategy; and Members queried school readiness and how this was measured.  

RESOLVED – That the Annual Report of the Director of Public Health 2023-24 be received.