The Children, Adults, Health and Wellbeing Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel met on Monday 09 September 2024 to discuss a range of public health initiatives, the progress of the Knife Crime Prevention Task Group, and updates from the B&NES, Swindon & Wiltshire Integrated Care Board. The Panel resolved to note the work underway for three public health programmes, acknowledge risks to the long-term sustainability of some interventions, and support the ambitions of these programmes.

Public Health Update

The Panel received an update on three key public health programmes: Be Well B&NES, social prescribing, and sexual and reproductive health.

Be Well B&NES is a new whole-systems approach to health improvement across Bath and North East Somerset, aiming to tackle major preventable risk factors such as obesity, tobacco use, physical inactivity, and the harmful use of alcohol and drugs. This initiative, developed collaboratively with healthcare providers, educational settings, leisure providers, council departments, and community organisations, seeks to improve health outcomes by addressing the underlying social, economic, and environmental factors that influence health behaviours. The programme has identified initial priorities including listening to residents, focusing on communities with the greatest health improvement needs, supporting children and families, improving the reach of existing interventions, and providing consistent training. Councillor Paul Crossley questioned how the success of the programme would be measured and if targets had been set. The Public Health Consultant explained that while individual interventions would have targets, the programme itself would focus on understanding the reasons behind health actions and would be an iterative, ten-year process. Councillor Dave Harding inquired about the selection process for geographical communities, and Councillor Joanna Wright asked about the use of anthropological research and the importance of building trust.

Social prescribing, also known as community referral, aims to connect individuals with local, non-clinical services to address their social, practical, and emotional needs holistically. The Active Way is a three-year pilot project funded by Active Travel England, focusing on promoting physical activity through cycling and walking. This initiative has seen significant participation, with evaluations suggesting statistically significant increases in cycling and walking among participants. Other social prescribing examples include the Community Wellbeing Hub and Somer Valley Rediscovered. A key concern raised was the short-term funding for some of these initiatives, posing a risk to their long-term sustainability.

The Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) strategy and future commissioning proposals were also discussed. Bath and North East Somerset generally shows good SRH outcomes, with lower STI diagnoses and teenage conception rates than national averages. However, there is an increasing trend in late HIV diagnoses. The report outlined commissioning intentions for core SRH services, including the Riverside Clinic and other subcontracted services.

The Panel resolved to note the work underway for each of these programmes, acknowledge the risks to long-term sustainability, and support the ambitions of each programme by considering opportunities to champion them and their alignment with wider council work.

Knife Crime Prevention Task Group Update

The Panel received an interim update on the work of the Knife Crime Prevention Task Group. The Task Group was established to review current approaches to preventing knife crime among young people in Bath and North East Somerset and to explore opportunities for improvement. Evidence gathering has focused on the data context, locations and timings of knife crime, the role of violence reduction partnerships, the profile of perpetrators and victims, and the importance of education and early intervention. The Task Group has concluded that the underlying risks behind knife crime are complex and that a public health approach is considered the most effective response. The Task Group anticipates holding one further evidence-gathering meeting before compiling its final report later in 2024. Councillor Paul Crossley suggested ensuring a budget is in place for future work and undertaking an analysis of the societal costs of knife crime. Councillor Joanna Wright raised concerns about young people's fear of going out and the support available to them. The Director of Public Health suggested that the Panel receive the Serious Violence Action Plan for discussion at a future meeting. The Panel resolved to note the update and the recommendations made by the Task Group.

B&NES, Swindon & Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) Update

Laura Ambler, Director of Place for Bath and North East Somerset at the BSW ICB, provided an update on various initiatives. These included blood pressure checking outreach clinics, an awareness campaign in leisure centres to highlight cancer risks, and the ongoing flu and RSV vaccination programme. The official opening of the Dyson Cancer Centre at the Royal United Hospitals Bath was also noted. The Panel discussed the qualifying criteria for vaccinations and queried why pneumonia had not been included. Councillor Joanna Wright raised concerns about pharmacists at Boots Southgate noticing an increase in users from Lambridge accessing methadone in the city centre due to local pharmacy limitations, and asked if more methadone could be held at the Lambridge pharmacy. Laura Ambler stated she would pass this to colleagues for consideration. The Panel also inquired about the role of the Panel in scrutinising health services and the services included within the Integrated Community Based Care Programme.

Cabinet Member Update

Councillor Alison Born, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, provided an update on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection of adult social care services, which was scheduled to take place imminently. She also updated the Panel on the progress of community partner contract re-procurement, noting that interim contracts might be necessary due to the complexity of the work. The initiative for B&NES to become an Age Friendly Community, supported by Age UK, was also highlighted.

Panel Workplan

The Panel reviewed its workplan, noting potential future discussion items including the lack of disabled accessible taxis, the impact of changes to Winter Fuel Payments, and updates on community support contracts and the Community Services procurement. The Panel resolved to note its current workplan and proposals for future work areas.