To receive a verbal update on the JSNA.
Minutes:
The OMBC Data Lead Officer provided the Board with a verbal report on the State of Child Health. The Board was informed that data from the RCPCH showed that without any action, Oldham will be one of the unhealthiest towns in the country. Currently, Oldham has the worst average in the national picture, and nothing had changed in the last 10 /12 years. The National data that was used for the update is not comparable and was reported to be too difficult to compile. Updates were provided on the challenges around Children smoking and vaping. It was noted that this was further complicated by smoking with cannabis. It was suggested that the only way comparison can be done is if we have a register, example death register related to this or a smoking register. Members asked questions in relation to data. There were discussions around how data can be made comparable and that the scope of data needed to be widened, either by conducting surveys but mentioned that the success rate of these is not always great, risks etc. The Board addressed questions around Children’s Asthma Plans and whether they were being maintained. Oldham is the 15th highest in Infant Mortality in the country and the first on the list for Asthma admissions in the country, followed by Tameside. It was reported that Asthma is a priority in the Neighbourhood Health Plan and that GM are looking to invest more money in Child Health. A Member mentioned looking at educating parents. Public Health informed why respiratory issue is higher in Oldham. This is due to air quality, roads, cold weather, expensive heating, people not using dryers, etc. The verbal update covered Children’s Mental Health (Teenagers) and Diabetes (noted to be making progress) and delivery of Best start in Life.
A discussion was had on the possibility of setting up a Working Group around issues of asthma, but this was not progressed. It was informed that there are significant issues with Children’s Health in the Borough and that the Health and Wellbeing Board is responsible for the wider health and wellbeing and that people should engage with each element at the most appropriate setting. Dr J Patterson informed that the Health and Wellbeing Board we convene make sure we all know what is happening. The Director of Public Health agreed to ensure coordination to address the issue, and to ensure that all members who wanted to engage would be kept informed of the most appropriate settings where they could engage.
Verbal update on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) –
The Board received a verbal update on JSNA from the Data Lead. It was noted that the JSNA is a bank of resources / services built online highlighting the future health and social care needs of Oldham. The update covered the responsibility on building JSNA, its legal duty, what a JSNA typically includes and the importance of the JSNA. The JSNA website includes extensive health information, data summaries, needs assessment and reports. The website is designed with everything in mind for people to self-serve. The information is broken down by Wards / Districts within the Borough and includes information on income, employment, crime, housing, health checks, and health conditions. The Data Lead will be sending out JSNA website information to Board members. Cllr Al-Hamdani asked questions around data methodology / strategy and analysis and requested that when the JSNA Website is shared, it would be helpful to point out where it particularly related to areas under consideration by the Health and Well Being Board, where Oldham is doing well, and any areas which were not under consideration which had been highlighted of concern, which was agreed. The Board noted that community Intervention and prevention were at the heart of the strategy and that the JSNA online is a Health and Wellbeing Board responsibility to inform decisions by the NHS, Oldham Council, and other partners.
Resolved: That the Verbal Update be noted.