Decision details

To present Members with the 2018 annual Director of Public Health report for Telford & Wrekin.

Key Decision identified as Annual Public Health Report in the Notice of Key Decisions published on 11 September 2019.

The Statutory Director of Public Health presented the Annual Public Health Report 2019: Looking Back, Looking Forward - Making Public Health Everybody’s Business.

The report provided a review of progress in improving population health since the return of the local public health function to Telford and Wrekin Council in 2013, evaluating the impact public health activities have had on the health of the Borough population during that period. An update on the local position across the Public Health Outcomes Framework was also included, which provided a picture of population health indicators across the life course.

The Report aimed to inform on matters affecting local health and wellbeing, and made recommendations which contributed to the development of the next Health & Wellbeing Strategy.

The report included the following sections:

·         Introduction

·         Achieving the Best Start to Life

·         Telford and Wrekin: A Health Promoting Borough

·         Facilitating Strong Communities

·         Improving Health in Vulnerable Groups

·         Improving Health Through Partnership Working

·         Recommendations for key partners to consider

·         Summary of key changes to Public Health Outcomes Framework Indicators from 2012/13 to 2017/18.

The Public Health Team had worked with colleagues across the Council, partners and the local community to produce the report, aiming to reflect and recognise the collective commitment from the Council’s partners to improving the health of the local population.  The Report also took the opportunity to make recommendations for enhancing collaborative action to improve wellbeing and narrow health inequalities.

The current Telford & Wrekin Health & Wellbeing Strategy was in its final year, and this report was intended to inform the development of the next strategy and made 9 broad recommendations which Cabinet was asked to support. 

The report was interactive in style and included video clips and infographic links.

Members applauded the report and the partnership approach to tackling public health issues.  It was noted that there were limitations to what could be done to mitigate the impact of austerity on the most vulnerable communities without additional investment from government.  Members recognised that it was crucially important that local residents be assisted and motivated to enhance their own health, supported by improved access to primary care.

RESOLVED that the 2019 Annual Report of the Director of Public Health be endorsed and the recommendations be supported.