Agenda item

To receive a joint report from the Directors of Adults and Health, Public Health and City Development which provides an overview of outcomes and service performance related to the council and city priorities within the Scrutiny Board’s remit.

The joint report from the Directors of Adults and Health, Public Health and City Development provided an overview of outcomes and service performance related to the council and city priorities within the Scrutiny Board’s remit.

The following were in attendance:

·  Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships

·  Councillor Salma Arif, Executive Member for Adults Social Care, Public Health and Active Lifestyles

·  Caroline Baria, Interim 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

·  John Crowther, Chief Officer Resources & Strategy, Adults and Health

·  Jane Walne, Chief Officer Operations and Active Leeds

·  Steve Baker, Head of Active Leeds

·  Rob Wood, Head of Intelligence & Performance

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

Public Health

·  Weight management services and increases in BMI 30+ - It was reported that the percentage of adults in Leeds with a BMI over 30 in Q2 2023/24 was 24.3%. While noting that this is not a statistically significant change from the previous quarter (24.2% in Q1), it is significantly higher than five years ago (23.1% in Q2 2018/19) but also mirrors the national picture.  Importance was therefore placed around the need to tackle this overall increasing trend.

·  New HIV diagnosis rates – Reference was made to the significant increases in new HIV diagnosis rates since 2019 and Members were advised that such increases had been expected and were being managed accordingly. The attributable factors were linked to more testing being put in place across the city and overseas workers also being rigorously tested on entry.

·  Infant mortality rates – Members noted that in the least deprived areas, the infant mortality rate was 5.8 per 1,000, which had increased from 5.5 in the previous period.  Although this is not a statistically significant change and numbers are small, Members were assured that this was being monitored closely by Public Health given the increasing trends.

·  Employment rates for those with a learning disability – Members were advised that the Council is awaiting new data in terms of monitoring the gap in the employment rate between those with a learning disability (aged 18 to 64) and the overall employment rate (gap - percentage points).  It is expected that the new data will show an improvement in terms of this indicator.

·  Recorded diabetes for Type 1 and Type 2 – Having acknowledged that the statistical data is reflective of the combined recording rates of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, Members felt that these warranted being separated out to enable more meaningful data analysis and monitoring.

·  Life expectancy rates – Members were advised that further work is being undertaken through the Marmot City programme to review data on life-expectancy in Leeds and that work is also being undertaken to learn from other existing Marmot Cities in terms of improving life expectancy rates.  Particular reference was made to Coventry who became a Marmot City in 2013 and have seen sustained improvements in life expectancy rates.

Adult Social Care

·  People waiting safely for assessments – Given the high numbers of people waiting for assessment, Members were advised of the ‘Waiting Well’ process guidance which has been implemented to ensure people are still monitored whilst they are waiting.  It was also highlighted that a new development for a Self-Assessment tool within Leeds Directory is due to go live in the next month where people will be able to access information about equipment and other services that may support them in the interim.

Members were also assured that all referrals deemed as high risk are seen within 7 days or receive crisis intervention support via the Rapid Response teams.

Active Lifestyles

·  Future targets for percentage of physically active adults – It was noted that the latest performance data shows that 40.7% of adults in the most deprived areas of the city remain physically inactive. Members were therefore advised that efforts are continuing to be made in terms of targeting specific communities but to also improve the picture more generally, with a current target to reduce physical inactivity by 1% each year.

·  Children 11 to 15 years accessing gyms and fitness classes - It was acknowledged that health and safety requirements now mean that children 11 to 15 years can only access gym facilities and fitness classes if accompanied and supervised by a responsible person 16 years or over.  Members were advised that this was therefore being managed carefully by Active Leeds staff.

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