Although a formal committee of Brighton & Hove City Council, the Health & Wellbeing Board has a remit which includes matters relating to the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the Local Safeguarding Board for Children and Adults and Healthwatch.

 

Title: Looking beyond the pandemic: what we learned and where we go next, Director of Public Health Annual Report

 

Date of Meeting: 07 March 2023

 

 

Report of: Alistair Hill, Director of Public Health

 

Contact:  Giles Rossington

 

Tel: 01273 295514

Email: giles.rossington@brighton-hove.gov.uk

 

Wards Affected: All

 

 

 

FOR GENERAL RELEASE

 

Executive Summary

 

A final copy of the 2022 Public Health Report is attached for noting and discussion.

 

It is a statutory requirement for the DPH to produce an independent annual report and for the local authority to publish it. The purpose of these reports is to raise awareness and understanding of local health issues, highlight areas of specific concern and make recommendations for change. There are no specified requirements as to the content or format of the report.

 

The report aims to look back and tell the story of how the Council and partners across the city worked together to protect the health of the population. The report includes case studies to illustrate the broad range of work and innovation. It identifies key learning and recommendations that will help the Council and the city to respond to other health and wellbeing challenges, both now and in the future.

The audiences for the report are local decision-makers as well as local people who have an interest.

 

 

The recommendations in the report are:

1.    For the city’s partnership structures to be reviewed and refreshed to build on citywide collaboration to improve health and wellbeing outcomes.

2.    For the council and the local NHS to make public health data easier to find and use, to empower residents, public services, the community and voluntary sector and businesses to take action to improve health and wellbeing.

3.    For the council and NHS to ensure that local programmes, strategies and plans promote health and wellbeing, prioritising communities and groups with the greatest needs.

4.    For the Health and Wellbeing Board to continue to develop local partnerships that have been strengthened during the pandemic and ensure that local communities are listened to and actively involved in planning and delivering action to improve health and wellbeing.

5.    For the NHS and the council to systematically collect community insight and feedback to make sure health information reaches local communities in the best way for them.

6.    For the council to continue to make the link between good health and a strong and fair economy through the refreshed citywide partnership structures.

 

 

1.           Decisions, recommendations and any options

           

1.1        That the Board notes the contents of this report.

 

 

2.      Relevant information

 

2.1         See report in appendix

 

3.      Important considerations and implications

 

            Legal:

 

3.1      The NHS Act 2006 and the Health and Social Care Act 2012

            requires Directors of Public Health to write an annual report on the

            health of their local population. The content and structure of the

            report can be determined locally.

 

            Lawyer consulted:        Sandra O’Brien                        Date:15/02/2023

 

            Finance:

 

4.1.1    There are no direct financial implications from the recommendations of this report.

 

Finance Officer consulted:     Sophie Warburton        Date:15/02/2023

 

Equalities:

 

5.1      The report highlights inequalities in health and wellbeing as a result of the COVID-19.

 

Sustainability:

 

3.1         Climate change is also a health protection issue. Learning the lessons from the response to the COVID-19 pandemic supports the council and the city to respond to challenges of climate change.

 

Health, social care, children’s services and public health:

 

3.2         The report covers the impacts on health, social, children’s services and public health.

 

 

 

Supporting documents and information

 

            Appendix1: Annual Report of the Director of Public Health