The Public Health and Health Integration Scrutiny Commission met on Tuesday 24 March 2026 to discuss health protection, public health research, and mental health and suicide prevention. Key decisions included noting the strategic direction for building local research capacity, endorsing community partnerships in research, and agreeing to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to request increased funding for vaccination programmes in the city.

Health Protection

The commission received an update on health protection matters, noting an increase in MMR2 vaccination uptake, which has placed Leicester City higher than many comparable areas. Flu and COVID-19 vaccination uptake has also increased, though detailed figures are not yet available. The HPV school vaccination programme has seen improved uptake following the introduction of a new consent form. Long-term organisational changes are underway regarding immunisation and screening services, with the future structure of the responsible team yet to be determined. The TB action plan has been refreshed with a new plan and risk register.

Regarding the meningitis outbreak in Kent, it was reported as an unusually large outbreak with 23 confirmed and probable cases. New cases are not evident, and the outbreak appears to be contained. Suspected cases in Leicester were not confirmed as meningitis. The outbreak is thought to have centred around a nightclub due to close contact, potentially involving the sharing of drinks and vapes. It was explained that around 10% of the population carry the meningococcal bacteria, which is usually harmless. This outbreak was specifically related to Meningitis B, for which vaccination is currently offered to babies and provides protection for the first few years before waning. The ACWY strain vaccination is offered to 13 and 14-year-olds. The UK Health Security Agency and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation are considering the cost-effectiveness of including the MenB vaccine in the school-aged schedule.

In Leicester, efforts are being made to encourage vaccine uptake through promotional materials and campaigns targeting young people. Vaccination rates for Meningitis B are around 90% for one-year-olds and 86% for two-year-olds. However, uptake for the ACWY vaccine in school-aged children is less than 50%. It is hoped that the new consent forms will improve this figure. UK Health Security campaigns are being utilised, and Community Wellbeing Champions and radio publicity are raising awareness. Information on meningitis signs and symptoms will be circulated to councillors.

In response to questions, it was confirmed that a team from the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) conducts vaccinations in schools. Early indications suggest the new consent process has led to a 10% point increase in school vaccination uptake. Meningitis vaccine supply is sufficient. Public Health teams are collaborating with ICB and LPT colleagues to promote vaccination messages, with communications sent to teachers via the intranet. The UK Health Security Agency handles contact tracing for close contacts of meningitis cases, and Leicester GP practices can provide necessary antibiotics. Meningitis symptoms can be mistaken for other illnesses, so advice focuses on recognising when to raise concerns and call 999.

The commission recommended writing to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to request increased funding for vaccination programmes in the city. It was also noted that the House of Lords is establishing a committee to review childhood vaccination rates, and it is hoped they will visit Leicester to understand the city's unique challenges. Children from abroad entering the UK will have access to catch-up vaccination programmes through schools and GPs.

Public Health and Research

The commission received a report outlining the initial stages of building research capacity within Leicester City Council's Public Health team, in collaboration with De Montfort University. Key points included:

• Unique Demographics: Leicester's unique demographic profile means that national research evidence may not always be directly applicable, necessitating the development of locally relevant research.
• Community Partnership: A core principle is conducting research with communities rather than at them, ensuring findings benefit local residents.
• Local Authority Research Practitioner (LARP): A LARP role, jointly funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and De Montfort University, has been established to provide dedicated research expertise. Annabelle Long, the LARP, has set up a research clinic offering advice and support to staff.
• Workforce Audit: A workforce skills audit revealed a diverse skill set, with significant experience in data collection but areas for development in securing funding and submitting ethics applications.
• University Partnerships: Formalised and deepened collaborations with De Montfort University and the University of Leicester are underway, including involvement in a Masters in Public Health programme and joint research projects.
• Research Strategy: A Public Health Research Working Group has developed a strategy focusing on building research culture, securing funding, strengthening governance and ethics, and knowledge exchange with communities.
• Governance and Ethics: Efforts are being made to simplify and strengthen research governance and ethical frameworks, with a proposal for an internal ethics committee.
• Research Repository: A research repository is being developed to systematically record all formal research collaborations, ensuring oversight, accountability, and the sharing of findings with the population.
• Individual Projects: Several individual research projects are in development, including work on shisha messaging, hypertension case-finding, NHS health checks in the community, and smoking cessation in hospitals.

The commission supported the strategic direction for building local research capacity, endorsed the principle of community partnerships in research, and noted the development of the research repository. They also agreed to support progress on governance and ethics and requested a further update on the implementation of the Public Health Research Strategy. The total annual cost for the local authority research package was noted as £14.5k from DMU, £14.5k from the City Council, and £29k from HR contractors, with the LARP post funded from this. Officers expressed satisfaction with the workforce survey uptake, while some members felt it was low. Learning from COVID-19 highlighted the need for communication approaches tailored to Leicester's communities.

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

The commission received an update on the latest work on suicide prevention and promoting mental wellbeing in Leicester, building on the Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland (LLR) Suicide Prevention Strategy 2024-2029. Key points included:

• Data-Driven Approach: The work is underpinned by Real Time Suspected Suicide Surveillance Data (RTSSS), collected by police first responders, to identify, monitor, and respond to emerging trends and risks.
• Local Data: In 2025, 26 people from Leicester died by suspected suicide, a rate not significantly different from the national average. RTSSS data from 2018-2025 shows that 61.5% of suspected suicides were in the most deprived areas. The median age for suspected suicide deaths is 42 for men and 38 for women, with approximately 75% of those dying by suicide being men.
• Mental Health Friendly Places (MHFPs): This is the main community response, offering accredited training in mental health first aid, suicide prevention, and safety planning. As of March 2026, there are 97 MHFPs in Leicester, situated in areas of greatest need, with 516 people having accessed the training.
• Focus on Men: There is an increasing focus on supporting men, who are the highest risk group. A Together for Men conference was held in November 2025, and co-production of men's specific mental health training and a support booklet is underway.
• Community Engagement: The approach aligns with NICE guidance on community engagement and the LLR Mental Health Collaborative's focus on place-based approaches.
• NHS Health Checks: A suggestion was made to include questions on low mood and suicide in NHS Health Checks. While this possibility will be considered, caution was advised regarding mission creep and the strict commissioning criteria for these checks.
• Peer Support: It was highlighted that men respond well to peer support, and encouraging local groups is seen as crucial for reaching men.
• Young People: Younger people are noted as being more open to discussing mental health, and children and young people have been included as a high-risk group in the suicide prevention strategy.

The commission noted the report and agreed that consideration should be given to including questions on low mood and suicide in NHS Health Checks.

Work Programme

The commission discussed its work programme, agreeing to consider NHS Dentistry and palliative care, including information on LOROS Hospice, at future meetings. A debrief on the Winter Plan was also proposed.

The commission noted the report and agreed to the proposed additions to the work programme.