Agenda item

Report of the Director of Public Health

The Director of Public Health submitted a report (previously circulated) updating Members on health protection arrangements in Darlington.

It was reported that the protection of the health of the population was a legally mandated responsibility of the local authority as part of the Health and Social Care Act 2012; the Director of Public Health was responsible for the discharge of the health protection functions delegated to the Council; and an annual health protection assurance report was produced to provide an overview of health protection arrangements and relevant activity.

Members were informed that health protection describes activities and arrangements that seek to protect the population from risks to health arising from biological, environmental or chemical hazards through prevention, surveillance and control.

Reference was made to the role of Directors of Public Health and local authority Public Health teams in supporting health protection work; the range of groups, information flows and reports in place to support health protection functions were outlined; and information was provided on the performance and activity in relation to prevention, surveillance and control.

Members raised their concerns regarding the hazards associated with the Aycliffe Quarry. The Director of Public Health informed Members that the quarry was regulated by the Environment agency, that gas emissions had reduced as a result of work undertaken at the site and the advice of the UKHSA was that there were no long term health risks associated, however short term symptoms can be reported to the GP.

Further discussion ensued regarding the reduction in uptake of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine; Members were informed that Darlington was not an outlier and was performing similar to England and that behavioural insights had been undertaken which would be used to improve information that is communicated regarding the vaccine.

RESOLVED – (a) That the contents of the report be noted.

(b) That the shared responsibility for Health Protection be noted.

(c) That it be noted that the Director of Public Health is assured that the health protection arrangements are appropriate and effective in dealing with the various aspects of health protection in Darlington.