Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Locality Partnerships regarding an update of the work which the Communities Team is engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provides opportunities for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

The report also provides regular updates on some of the key activities between Community Committee meetings and functions delegated to Community Committees, Community Champions roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided an update on the work which the Community Team is engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provides opportunities for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

The report also provided regular updates on some key activities between Community Committee meetings and functions delegated to Community Committees, Community Champion roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

The Advanced Health Improvement Specialist and Health Improvement Principal Officer attended the meeting and provided the Community Committee with the following information:

·  The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty visited Harehills on 17^th January 2024 to understand the work that is being done in the area. The aim of the visit being to inform the annual health report on the topic of health in cities. The visit included a session at CATCH and the work they do there, with a discussion with NHS staff. He also met with third sector partners and discussed public health priorities and the cost of living. Positive feedback from this visit was received and Mr Whitty was impressed of the work being done in Leeds, with partnerships and community working. A chapter will be included in his national report on Public Health in Leeds.

·  The Oral Health Project promoted oral health and dentistry for children and families. In terms of data, children under 5 years of age have significantly higher levels of tooth decay and filled teeth. Local partners are informing the service that it is a big issue for children to get access to dentists. Families are unable to buy toothbrushes and toothpaste, and sessions were delivered with community organisations on key messages.

·  There were also two different events promoting oral health with community organisations, and Senegalese families to provide key information to young people. There are a lot of young people missing oral health.

·  It was noted that dental commissioning is done on a Yorkshire and Humber footprint, and this has now moved to a West Yorkshire footprint. This change can be seen as a positive step and a way to make sure more dental services are more appropriate for the area and people are receiving more effective dental services. There is a national issue associated with oral health.

·  As part of the ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ initiative, West Yorkshire Police and LCC have been a big part in that and there have been 12 licence reviews in Harehills. Entertainment Licensing, Elected Members and West Yorkshire Trading Standards have also been involved. Of those 12, 8 licences have been revoked, where premises have been selling non-duty paid products and/or illicit goods. This shows an effective partnership and successful outcomes for the area.

·  The Seacroft Blood Pressure Awareness Project is a new project happening in the area and working in partnership with the Seacroft Primary Care Network. The idea is to raise awareness around blood pressure and 2 cohorts have been looked at. 1) primary care to identify people at risk of high blood pressure and hypertension and 2) local organisations. Staff will be trained on how to use blood pressure machines and show people how to use them. People may be referred to a Primary Care Network Care Coordinator, and people may get given blood pressure machines to use at home. Further support may be provided on lifestyle changes. This is a new project starting in April 2024.

·  Locality focused health needs and assets assessments is in its next stages, in that conversations will be had with local organisations and interviews undertaken with stakeholders and targeted focus groups. Key data will be identified and included in the health needs assessment.

·  Health protections around measles and vaccinations. It is reported that there are currently no cases in Leeds at present and there is a strong outbreak plan in Leeds. Key messages have been sent to schools to relay to parents. Work has been undertaken with Leeds Immunisation Team to go into schools with the lowest uptake in the vaccination and 150 children have been vaccinated; school engagement has been positive.

The Committee thanked Ms Patel for her involvement in the recent success of premises licence reviews.

In responding to questions from Committee Members, the following was confirmed:

·  The roll out of vaccines has been commissioned through NHS England and the local authority does not have a say in what schools receive additional support in this area. It is merely for 20 schools with the lowest uptake.

·  In terms of a suggestion regarding a mobile van for oral health, this has already been explored and there is no funding to be able to support this. A van was used for covid vaccinations, but the van was returned to the libraries service for their use. Ideally Public Health require a van for their own use without it being shared.

·  Members acknowledged that there is further work to be done around delivering educational sessions around oral health, and the possibility to explore more strategic conversations should be explored. There is work to be done politically and at an executive level. Members agreed that a public health campaign targeting young people’s oral health is a priority.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report and information provided during the meeting, and comments during discussion of the item.