Agenda item

Interim Director of Public Health to report

The Board received an update presentation from Rebecca Fletcher, Interim Director of Public Health, of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Members were informed that the report provides an introduction to the strategy, and includes the Health and Wellbeing Strategy itself.  The Health and Wellbeing Strategy was approved by the Health and Wellbeing Board in March 2023 and contains five themes that are to be subject to ‘deep dives’ at Health and Wellbeing Board meetings in 2023/24.

The Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and the Health and Wellbeing Board aim to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Oldham and reduce inequalities for all ages. The responsibility for developing and delivering the Health and Wellbeing Strategy (and the Joint Strategy Needs Assessment) sits with the Health and Wellbeing Board and rests with all the members of the board.  Oldham Health and Wellbeing Board is chaired by Cllr Jenny Harrison, and has good representation from partners.  

The strategy outlines the principles that the board members agree the system needs to work to in order to make the changes needed. These are:

• We are resident focused
• We have a well-managed health and care system
• We are champions of equality
• We prioritise prevention

There are then five priorities which the Board have agreed would make a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of the borough.  These are:

• Supporting our residents to gain the knowledge and skills to confidently make choices and participate in decisions about their own health
• Giving children the best start in life
• Improving mental wellbeing and mental health
• Reducing smoking
• Increasing physical activity

On discussion the following points were raised

·         Feedback on mental health and wellbeing

·         Effective approaches to tobacco and vapes non smoking

·         Cycle lane and cycle parking infrastructure and the positive effect on wellbeing

Reference was made to principles and priorities as detailed above and the need to manage and promote those principles with a view to achieving better lifestyles and health of residents thus reliving pressure on the NHS. It was suggested that the voluntary sector could combine to help to achieve the objectives set out in the Strategy.

Mike Barker, Strategic Director of Commissioning/Chief Operating Officer, emphasised the need for the various objectives and goals to be achieved via one programme rather that  hospitals, GP’s Mental health and other bodies running their own programme.

Rebecca Fletcher thanked members for their input regarding strategy objectives. She also emphasized that any positive outcomes of the strategy objectives would be as a result of the combined contributions of Board members and the interaction with the various groups.

RESOLVED – that

(1)       The involvement of Oldham Districts to take forward the development of a programme regarding the achievement of the objectives and goals of the Oldham Health and Wellbeing Strategy be raised Councillor Dean, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture;

(2)       the Board to receive updates on the progress of the programme regarding the objectives and goals for the Strategy at future meetings of the Board; and

(2)       the Health and Wellbeing Strategy be noted.