Agenda item

To present an update from the Public Health Directorate on the following work areas: Life expectancy analyses; NHS Health Checks explanatory update; Results of a PhD research project to evaluate Blackpool’s free school breakfasts; and Sexual Health Action Plan.

Dr Rajpura presented the Public Health overview report which covered topical areas of work and plans.

He referred to life expectancy rates within Blackpool which, at 74.3 years for men and 79.4 for women, was the lowest in the country for both genders. In the most deprived areas in Blackpool, men lived 11.8 years less than the local average and women lived 8.5 years less.

There was a correlation between low life expectancy and poor health which was evident in Blackpool. Nationally, life expectancy had been increasing for men and women. In recent years, the dual increase had been reflected in Blackpool albeit at a slower rate of increase. However, local expectancy had decreased over the last year.

Dr Rajpura explained that Blackpool suffered a higher than average rate of deaths for people aged under 65 years old due to a number of poor health and lifestyle factors. He added that 75% of deaths of people aged 35-74 years old involved people who had moved to Blackpool reflecting the significant transient population.

In response to reference being made to suicide related deaths being recorded by where people were born, it was suggested a similar approach was needed for a better understanding of early deaths. It was explained that current data capture was based on people being resident in Blackpool but a more detailed breakdown could be provided. It was added that poor quality housing, particularly private sector multiple-occupancy, was a significant factor in poor health and needed to be tackled.

Dr Rajpura referred to the five-year programme (2013-2018) of NHS health checks for people aged 40-74 years old. The health checks were for early detection of the most common serious illnesses. The annual rate of health checks had fallen. Public Health commissioned the service which was provided by GPs who were also responsible for sending out invites to registered patients. There remained 4.000 people who had not received an invite and a substantial percentage of those invited had not attended a health check. It was important that everyone had the opportunity and ‘hard to reach’ people were encouraged. Public Health would be working with GPs to remedy this.

In response to a suggestion that health check venues needed to be accessible, e.g. ‘walk-in’ centres, it was confirmed that accessibility was good. Health checks were not delivered by GPs but by other staff and were held in familiar community venues. Pharmacies were another option although a consulting room was required.

It was also explained that Public Health had investigated poor take-up of health checks. There were conflicting responses but often people were reluctant to use up NHS time when they were not ill. Public Health would be promoting messages to encourage people to attend to ensure serious illnesses were detected in good time and so also easing hospital pressures.

Dr Rajpura referred to the free school breakfast programme for primary school-children which started in 2013. On a daily basis, 11,000 breakfasts were served. Northumbria University had undertaken a three year research programme evaluating the behavioural, educational and social impact of the free breakfast on children. The scheme did promote healthier eating, e.g. more fruit. Due to the timing of school and home mealtimes, some children had two breakfasts but calorie intake was still within recommended levels.

The Chairman referred to work on promoting sexual health. Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), which was a daily pill used to reduce the risk of HIV for vulnerable people, had been rolled out nationally. He enquired when this would be implemented locally and was advised that Blackpool would be getting its resource allocation in early 2018.

The Chairman enquired whether Public Health was aware of the well regarded sexual health clinic at 56 Dean Street, London which had developed a best practice ‘Plan Zero’ approach for tackling HIV. Public Health confirmed that one of the Dean Street specialists was sharing work with professionals at the Blackpool sexual health clinic.

Members referred to the rates and effectiveness of chlamydia testing. They were informed that Blackpool took part in the national screening programme which was working well with good detection of the disease. It was important to maintain this.