Agenda item

Report of Director of Public Health, Nottinghamshire County and Nottingham City

Lynne McNiven, Consultant in Public Health, presented information on Public Health to the Area Committee. Public Health are able to offer health and fitness support, and hoped to start a conversation with Area Committees about the direction and priorities for each area. Lynne provided the following information on areas that Public Health is already keen to support, and actions already taken:

(a)  Mental health, obesity and childhood obesity are already key areas for Public Health to focus on in all areas of the City.

(b)  Free school meals have been rolled out to all key Stage 1 pupils. There has been an increased uptake of free school meals, and pupils are showing a greater knowledge of where food comes from. Some schools are already reporting that pupils are paying better attention in the afternoon, due to better nutrition.

(c)  Public Health are able to offer support to local projects encouraging healthy eating, such as community garden schemes and food co-operatives. Funding is available for local food growing and for tackling obesity. There is strong evidence that gardening is an excellent low impact exercise, and local health centres could refer patients to local schemes.

(d)  Increasing physical activity is a citywide priority, and Public Health can support initiatives such as outdoor gyms.

(e)  As well as improving health, Public Health is also concerned with preventing ill health, injuries and accidents. They promote initiatives such as road safety campaigns and reducing speed limits, and also provide assistance to decrease home accidents, such as stair gates and cooker cupboards. A 20 miles per hour speed limit is being introduced in the Meadows next month, along with “rest at red” traffic stops to naturally slow traffic, and increased bus shelters to encourage greater use of public transport.

Following discussion from the Area Committee Councillors and Community Representatives, the following areas and issues were identified for focus:

(f)  Dance provision in the area is currently lacking. Community representatives expressed an interest in dance, as it encourages and promotes fitness, whilst also appealing to citizens who may not necessarily be attracted to more tradition fitness activities such as team sports.

(g)  Initiatives to increase day-to-day activity, such as walking and cycling instead of taking the car, should also be encouraged. Fitness and increased activity is not just about going to the gym.

(h)  There is growing demand for a petanque or boules playing area.

(i)  Schools and nurseries are included in Public Health service mapping, and it is intended that pre-schools will also be included in future.

(j)  Outdoor activity that is suitable for younger children is also important, such as having play equipment near to outdoor gym equipment.

(k)  Mental health is a very large issue. Whilst Public Health is not responsible for commissioning mental health services, they do have a role in mental health promotional, preventative work, and in encouraging people back to work. Mental health is being given an increased focus and priority, with the new report templates for Health and Wellbeing Board requiring a consideration of mental health impact.

(l)  There are a large number of elderly and older residents in Clifton, and members of the Committee felt that it was important to provide dementia related services, and to include Clifton in any dementia-related schemes being piloted in the City.

(m)  Cook and Eat sessions are not currently very well advertised and there are often spaces. Sharing information on upcoming sessions with local childminders so that they can pass it on to parents would be very useful.

(n)  Councillors requested ward specific information at any future meetings, as this would be very useful alongside the area-wide information.

(o)  Food banks are also an issue to consider in relation to Public Health, and information on their provision in the area was requested for future meetings, as well as information on other health related services currently provided by local faith and community groups.

(p)  It is difficult to recruit volunteers to coordinate group fitness activities, such as guided local walks.

(q)  A living wage is a crucial step towards achieving great public health. Recent employment trends (such as zero hour contracts and casual contracts) have contributed to reduced financial security, increased challenges for families, and a difficulty in maintaining attainment and health.

(r)  Funding for children’s mental health is small compared to funding for adult mental health, even though over 40% of long term mental health issues start before age 15.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  thank Lynne McNiven for the information on Public Health and the valuable discussion on service provision in the area;

(2)  request an update on the provision of dance services in the Area, and what can be achieved by encouraging dance as an alternative physical activity.