Agenda item

To receive and discuss the Health Inequalities Plan.

The Scrutiny Board received a report of the Interim Director of Public Health, which explained that Borough of Oldham residents experienced many inequalities across the wider determinants of health that contribute collectively to the difference in life expectancy and healthy life expectation. The report advised that in June 2022, Oldham’s Health and Well-being Board had agreed the six themes and associated actions which underpin the local health inequalities plan that was intended to be achieved over a two-year period. The submitted report sought to provide an update on the progress made to date.

Scrutiny Board Members were asked to consider the progress made on the local health inequalities plan.

Oldham Life Expectancy for men was 77.2 years, compared to the national average of 79.4 years (PHOF 2018-20). By contrast, Westminster, in central London, had an average life expectancy of 84.7years. The difference in life expectancy for men, between Alexandra ward (Oldham’s most deprived) and Saddleworth South ward (Oldham’s least deprived) is 12 years.

Oldham Life Expectancy for women is 80.5years compared to the national average of 83.1 years (PHOF 2018-20). By contrast, Kensington and Chelsea, in London, had an average life expectancy for women of 87.9 years The difference in life expectancy between Alexandra ward (most deprived) and Saddleworth South ward (least deprived) is 12.9 years.

The inequalities observed for life expectancy and for healthy life expectancy in Oldham were not just associated with deprivation but were also present between different ethnicities.

In November 2021, the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board discussed the development of a Health Inequalities plan for Oldham. This process took key recommendations from the Greater Manchester review ‘Build Back Fairer: Health Equity and dignified lives’ and GM Independent Health Inequalities Commission report and broadly mirrored the six thematic areas;

·                     Income, Poverty, Housing and Debt

·                     Housing, Transport and Environment

·                     Work and Unemployment

·                     Health in all Policies / Communities and Place

·                     Health and Wellbeing, and Health Services

·                     Children and young people

Each of the six thematic areas was underpinned by a series of actions (a total of 57), and senior sponsor(s) had been assigned. The Health and Wellbeing board had agreed the action plan in June 2022, and that Public Health service at Oldham Council would continue to drive and oversee developments. The inequalities plan was considered achievable over a 2-year period.

A tracker tool had been developed, detailing all the actions and progress of each area within the Health Inequalities plan. Action owners had been invited to review and update the progress made towards each of the actions utilising commentary boxes and RAG (Red/Amber/Green) ratings to provide a visual review of where programmes are on track, stalling or behind.

During the period of September 2022 to March 2023, all six thematic areas were presented as focused reviews to the Health and Wellbeing Board. This allowed for the sharing of good practice across Oldham partnership organisations, an opportunity to accentuate programmes that reduce inequalities and as a system provide a safe place to discuss barriers to delivery. The focused reviews were all well received with helpful discussion and opportunities afforded for the provision of collective support for system challenges, or opportunities to maximise on good practice.

Each of the six thematic areas had one or more senior sponsor from cross the Oldham system. Where personnel had changed within organisations, new sponsors have been recruited, for example, within the theme ‘Housing, Transport and Environment’, the Director of Economy and the Director of Environment for Oldham Council had adopted this role and were well placed to oversee progress of work.

One of the thematic areas – ‘Health and Wellbeing and Health Services’ continues to be reviewed as it would maximise impact if the actions could be better aligned to the Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) priorities outlined within the ICP 5-year strategy and to ensure that the actions are reflective of existing programmes contributing to the reduction of health inequalities.

The meeting was informed that of the 57 agreed actions, 30 have been rated as green, meaning they are on track or have been completed. 22 have been assessed as amber meaning that although they are within existing workstreams the programme has experienced some challenges or setbacks, but that mitigations are in place. The remaining five actions were considered to be rated as red, meaning that challenges have been experienced, and that there is risk that they will not be completed within the 2-year plan.Challenges associated with those that have been marked as amber, included but are not limited the impacts of short-term funding, staff recruitment and capacity issues, and demand exceeding capacity of commissioned services.

Oldham’s Health and Wellbeing board members were consulted on the themes and proposed actions which underpinned the plan. This was inclusive of a broad cross section of organisations. Regular updates have been taken to the Health and Wellbeing Board in the form of topic specific presentations and written updates.

Resolved:

1.    That the Scrutiny Board notes the progress made thus far and endorses actions taken in terms of implementing the health inequalities plan.

2.    That a further report, reviewing progress be submitted to the Adults Social Care and Health Scrutiny Board in approximately 12 months.