Agenda item

Report of the Director of Public Health

The Director of Public Health submitted a report (previously circulated) to provide Members and partners with an overview of a range of health promoting activities in relation to children and young people, including local need and outlining plans to address the issues.

The submitted report included as appendices the Darlington Children and Young People’s Profile 2019; the Healthy Lifestyle Survey 2018; the Darlington Childhood Healthy Weight Action Plan 2017-22; and the Oral Health Plan 2017-22.

In relation to the Darlington Child Health Profile 2019, this profile provides a snap shot of child health in Darlington set out in 32 indicators grouped into five broad domains and enables comparisons over time and against regional and England averages.  It was reported that 12 out of the 32 indicators for Darlington were not significantly different when compared to England, three were significantly better and 11 significantly worse.  For those indicators significantly worse it was reported that many of these were largely related to comparatively high number of children admitted to hospital in Darlington for a number of different reasons.

It was also reported that since the last profile in 2018 there had been an improvement in the number of children recorded as obese aged 10-11 years now statistically similar to the England average.  Immunisation rates in Darlington were also good with coverage for two year olds in Darlington being above the recommended coverage rate of 90 per cent and overall 88.8 per cent of all children aged five years and under in Darlington were up to date with immunisations.

With regard to the Healthy Lifestyles Survey 2018, this is a further method of understanding local need that gathers and analysis information from children and young people in Darlington schools.  It uses an online survey to find out about their attitudes and behaviours across a range of health related topics.   It was reported that the majority of young people have positive emotional attitudes, and feel happy in their lives and have strong social networks with friends and family, however a third of all pupils reported that they did not have someone to confide in.  The collective access to the different data sets provide an insight when designing local plans.

The Darlington Childhood Healthy Weight Plan 2017-2022 sets out a whole system approach to tackling childhood obesity and reducing inequalities by recognising the complex relationships between the social, economic and physical environment coupled with individual factors that underpin the development of obesity.  It was reported that the official launch of the plan and workshop session was planned for 24 September 2019 when all key stakeholders and partners would be invited to take part in shaping the key action plan that will set out how the objectives will be taken forward.

The Darlington Childhood Healthy Weight Plan complements the Oral Health Plan 2017-2022 by working to reduce sugar intake as a high sugar diet is a significant risk factor in dental decay and obesity.  It was reported that a supervised tooth brushing pilot has been commissioned which targets children in nursery and reception class and to date ten schools and seven nurseries have participated in this programme.

Members acknowledged that the rate of immunisations was good for two year olds but asked what actions were being taken to further increase this and the Public Health Principal advised Members that NHS England were responsible for the commissioning of this service and Officers were working alongside NHS England and the general practitioners to increase this percentage, and in particular targeting hard to reach groups.

Members questioned what actions had been taken in relation to the 11 indicators that were significantly worse than the England average and the Public Health Principal outlined actions in relation to children in care; substance and alcohol misuse; licensing of venues selling alcohol aimed at restricting supply; stop smoking service for smoking in pregnancy and support for those caring for children up to two years old; and the work stream with the Clinical Commissioning Group investigating the underlying causes of hospital admissions for children under 15 years.

Members noted that hospital admissions for mental health conditions had reduced but still expressed their concern at the lack of services for young people with mental health issues and referred to the closure of West Lane Hospital, Middlesbrough and requested further information on what alternative care has been found for these young; and also discussed the number of primary aged pupils that felt stressed due to the levels of homework that primary children receive.

RESOLVED – (a) That the report be noted.

(b) That Members champion positive public health messages in relation to children, young people and families and continue to focus on improving outcomes and reducing health inequalities for children and young people in Darlington.