Agenda item

Report of the Director of Public Health

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

It was reported that Local Authorities in England had statutory health protection duties under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and related regulations; these responsibilities are exercised primarily by the Director of Public Health and are supported by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the NHS; and an annual health protection assurance report was produced to provide an overview of health protection arrangements and relevant activity in the Borough of Darlington.

Members were informed that health protection refers to the coordinated activities and systems in place to safeguard the population from threats to health, including those arising from infectious diseases, environmental hazards or chemical exposure; and involved three key components namely prevention of harm, surveillance of potential risks and control of incidents when they occur.

Members were informed that NHS England was responsible for the commissioning of screening and immunisation programmes; and that UKHSA’s Health Protection Teams (HPT) were responsible for the provision of expert functions to respond directly to incidents and outbreaks and to support the Council in understanding and responding to threats.

Reference was made to the duties and responsibilities of local authorities and in particular the role of Directors of Public Health in supporting health protection work; and information was provided on the performance and activity in relation to immunisations, infection prevention and control, screening, surveillance, healthcare associated infections and outbreak management.

Discussion ensued regarding the CPE outbreak at Darlington Memorial Hospital, with Members seeking assurance that the Trust were being responsive to public concerns. The Director of Public Health informed Members that the Trust had undertaken work around infection prevention control measures and building work to relocate sinks to corridors, and that it was the Trusts decision to introduce waterless bathing.

Further discussion ensued regarding uptake of vaccinations and the importance of clear information leaflets and supporting resources to encourage vaccine uptake; that the Tees Valley Local Immunisation Steering Group would be undertaking work to identify learning from GP practices with higher uptake rates; and additional funding had been allocated by NHS England to support targeted work to understand barriers and improve vaccination rates within the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Community.

Members raised concerns regarding wait times for screening; and discussions were held regarding herd immunity and work to support care homes with infection prevention and control.

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 addressing the various aspects of health protection.

(d) That the Chair of this Scrutiny Committee writes to the Chief Executive, CDDFT on behalf of the Members of this Scrutiny Committee requesting an update on the reintroduction of washing facilities at Darlington Memorial Hospital to enable patients to clean themselves with water.