Agenda item

Child Health - Lancashire

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed Shaun Turner, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing; Clare Platt, Head of Service Health, Equity, Welfare and Partnerships; Karen Gosling, Senior Public Health Practitioner; and Judith Gault, Senior Manager Public Health and Wellbeing, to the meeting.

 

The report presented informed the committee that Public Health England (PHE) produced an annual Child Health Profile as a tool designed to help local government and health services identify key issues which needed addressing to improve the health and wellbeing of children and tackle health inequalities. A range of issues relevant to child health and wellbeing in Lancashire were highlighted. The key issue was about starting early and giving every child the best possible start in life. Issues highlighted were:

 

·  Teenage pregnancy

·  Smoking in pregnancy

·  Breastfeeding

·  MMR immunisation

·  Dental Health

·  Overweight / obesity

·  Mental health

·  Road safety

 

In terms of these issues there were different outcomes in children's health and wellbeing in the districts. There were significant differences between districts and within districts.

 

It was pointed out that care provided in the first 1000 days of a child's life had more influence on a child's future than any other time in its life. There were significant provisions in place for the first 1000 days child development programme.

 

Members were advised that regarding mother and baby clinics, improvements had been made and lessons had been learned from children's centres. Baby centres offered holistic support for mothers and babies and through working with partners problems could be picked up at an early stage and be addressed.

 

Members were informed that the health visitor offer was a universal offer. The Children and Family Wellbeing Service was aware that some centres had closed which impacted on support to rural areas, however it was highlighted that the provision of one to one support for families in rural areas was available.

 

Members stated that in areas where there were a lack of facilities could libraries and leisure centres be looked at for parents and children to use. It was confirmed that discussions were taking place with libraries about working together and joining their services up. The services could also be delivered in primary schools. It was ensuring a safe environment for mothers and children.

 

It was reported that the importance of getting the outcomes of children's health right early was vital. The Authority could not do this on its own and neighbourhood working was important as was the First 1000 Days. The Ante Natal Contact was a new contact and was about preparation for parenthood and was offered by health visitors. The biggest challenge was total neighbourhood working and joined up working was the way forward. The neighbourhood approach was about moving resources around more smartly and this was only achievable through true partnership working.

 

The committee was informed that there was a piece of work in progress around oral health improvement in children.

 

Resolved: That;

 

  i.  The report presented be noted.

  ii.  A report be presented to the committee in six months on the progress and improvements being made.

 

 

 

Supporting documents: