Agenda item

To receive a joint report from the Director of Adults and Health, the Director of Public Health and the Director of City Development that provides an overview of outcomes and service performance related to the Council and city priorities within the remit of the Adults, Health and Active Lifestyles Scrutiny Board.

The joint report submitted by the Director of Adults and Health, the Director of Public Health and the Director of City Development provided an overview of outcomes and service performance related to the Council and city priorities within the remit of the Adults Health and Active Lifestyles Scrutiny Board.

The following were in attendance:

•  Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Equality, Health and Wellbeing

•  Councillor Salma Arif, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Active Lifestyles and Culture

•  Caroline Baria, Director of Adults and Health

•  Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health

•  Tim Fielding, Deputy Director of Public Health

•  Shona McFarlane, Deputy Director Social Work and Social Care Service

•  Jane Walne, Chief Officer Operations and Active Leeds

•  Steve Baker, Head of Active Leeds

•  Rob Wood, Head of Intelligence and Performance, Adults and Health

In consideration of the report, the Board discussed a number of matters in more detail, across Adult Social Care, Public Health and Active Lifestyles, including the following:

Public Health

·  Infant mortality rates – Members were advised that the IM rate in Leeds, which is calculated by dividing the number of deaths in children under one per 1000 live births, is highest for both the most and least affluent deciles. With the risk of infant death typically increasing with greater levels of maternal deprivation, the Board discussed possible factors surrounding the higher rates found in the most affluent cohort. However, Members noted the difficulty in drawing definitive conclusions given that IM rates are generally very small but were assured that the Council is continuing to monitor the data closely.

·  Vaccine hesitancy – Members discussed the potential use of key performance data to help alleviate concerns and address vaccine hesitancy.

·  Childhood obesity – In recognition that children with obesity are very likely to be adults with obesity, importance was placed on continuing to reduce existing levels of childhood obesity.

·  NHS health checks – The Board welcomed the significant increase in the uptake of NHS health checks that are offered to people aged 40-74yrs and particularly for those prioritised to be most at risk.

Adult Social Care

·  Rate of care home admissions for people aged 18-64 – Members were advised that the increased admission rate for this cohort primarily relates to individuals with a learning disability being admitted to residential rather than nursing homes. The Board discussed contributing factors linked to the increased rate and were also assured of processes in place within the service to help identify appropriate supported living arrangements for these individuals.

·  The care and support market in Leeds – The Board was advised that while the role of the care and support market in Leeds remains a key factor, it does not feature as a reported performance measure.  However, Members were assured that it is considered and monitored by the Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board in accordance with its governance role.

·  Acknowledging the vital role of the Third Sector – Members were advised that while prevention and early intervention measures do not feature as performance indicators within the reporting framework for adult social care, the vital role of the Third Sector in this regard continues to be valued and maximised by the Council.

·  Direct Payments – The Board briefly discussed some of the possible barriers impacting the take-up of Direct Payments and agreed to explore this in more detail as part of its work programme.

Active Lifestyles

·  Levels of inactivity – With levels of inactivity in the city remaining highest in the most deprived areas, Members supported the need to better understand the barriers to physical activity within these communities, including environmental factors. The Chair suggested that this forms part of the Board’s commitment to follow up on its earlier work around supporting healthy weight and active lifestyles.

·  Get Set Leeds Local – Members praised the positive work of the Get Set Leeds Local team in supporting multiple community projects that cover a wide range of physical activities to local residents. The Board also welcomed plans to continue expanding this work to other communities.

The Chair thanked the Executive Members and Officers for their ongoing work.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report, along with Members comments, be noted.