Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no members of the public and press present.

- presentation by Steve Turnbull, Head of Public Health

update on each of the relevant Local Area Agreement Priorities

Steve Turnbull, Head of Public Health gave a presentation in relation to Staying Healthy.  The presentation gave an update on the four main priorities which were:

• All Age All Cause Mortality
• Breastfeeding
• Teenage Conceptions
• Obesity

He explained that Local Area Agreement targets (and other indicators) were presenting significant challenges and that many may not be met by the deadline of 2010.

A question and answer session ensued and the following issues were raised:-

• How the figures for breastfeeding were expected to increase when mothers were being encouraged to return to work
• The suggestion that a large number of young females may be deliberately getting pregnant in order to housed by the Council
• Whether there was any work being undertaken with the young men who impregnated the young women.  It was confirmed that there were various projects aimed at young dads.
• Whether there was any work undertaken with schools.  It was confirmed that there was a “Healthy Schools Programme” in place which covered a wide range of issues.
• It was felt that there was a need for work to be undertaken with the families of these young teenagers. A family intervention programme had been introduced in order to assist families.

Members thanked Steve for his presentation.

- presentation by Jo Abbott, PCT

Robin Carlisle, Deputy Director of Public Health gave a verbal presentation and circulated a report in relation to Cardio-Vascular Clinics for people over 40.  The presentation drew specific attention to:

• Where we were now
• Where we would be in 5 years
• The impact on health and other services
• How we would make sure that the initiative would impact on the people  who most need it
• The need for a budget to be established for cardiovascular spending
• How we would get there
• How improvements would be measured

A question and answer session ensued and the following issues were raised:-

• Whether it would be more beneficial for screening to be done prior to age 40.
• Whether there would be sufficient staff/facilities to put the initiative into practice by April 2009
• Whether a cardio risk assessment could be undertaken
• Whether there was any additional funding for introducing new clinics
• Whether the smoke free initiative had had a positive impact in Rotherham

Resolved:- That the report be noted and that Jo Abbott, Senior CHD Nurse Manager, be invited to attend a future meeting to provide more detail about the proposed clinics.

- presentation by Steve Turnbull, Director of Public Health and John Radford

Steve Turnbull, Head of Public Health and John Radford gave a presentation in relation to Prostrate Cancer Screening.  The presentation drew specific attention to:

• What screening was
• Principles of Screening
• Concepts of Screening
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Screening

He confirmed that ten principles had been developed to govern screening which were:

• The condition is an important health problem
• Its natural history is well understood
• It is recognisable at an early stage
• Treatment is better at an early stage
• A suitable test exists
• An acceptable test exists
• Adequate facilities exist to cope with abnormalities detected
• Screening is done at repeated intervals when the onset is insidious
• The chance of harm is less than the chance of benefit
• The cost is balanced against benefit

Delia Watts reported that prostate cancer was the second most common cause of cancer death in men, but that more men died with the disease rather than from it.  The UK National Screening Committee was responsible for approving all new screening programmes and used the above criteria to ensure that any such programmes did more good than harm at a reasonable cost.  At present, prostate cancer screening fulfils only the first condition and would therefore not be introduced in the UK.

A question and answer session ensued and the following points were raised:

• Whether it was important to have an early diagnosis of the condition.
• Current research into prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.  It was confirmed that in addition to a current 15 year European study, a research project was also being undertaken at Sheffield University.
• Whether it was possible to obtain a comparison of the figures for both prostate cancer and breast cancer.
• Why screening ceased once a person reached the age of 70.

Members of the panel thanked Steve for his presentation.

- report by Mel Howard, Drug and Alcohol Co-ordinator

Mel Howard, Drug and Alcohol Co-ordinator presented the submitted report in relation to progress made on the Rotherham Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy.

The Rotherham Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy was launched in December 2007.  An action plan was produced for partners to work towards, which included 4 key pillars of the strategy.  These were Education Communication and Information, Identification and Treatment, Alcohol related crime and disorder, Working with the industry and a specific one for Children and Young people.

In delivering a response to the recommendations of the local strategy and action plans it was hoped that awareness could be raised and positive changes made to the drinking behaviour of the people of Rotherham.

Attached to the report was a copy of the action plans which reflected the actions to be completed by 04/08.

The majority of actions were green with successful outcomes and the amber and red actions had had new deadlines agreed which were being monitored to ensure outcomes by the newly agreed dates.  There were two actions within the 4^th pillar ‘working with the industry’ which referred to the Cab Watch Proposal which with agreement had been abandoned.

There had been many success stories as a result of the strategy and successful partnership working and these included:

• Alcohol awareness/training sessions to many partners
• Campaign Material
• Pilot Alcohol Arrest Referral Scheme
• Polycarbonate glasses
• Home Fire Safety Assessments
• Licence Watch

The action plans would continue to be monitored from 16^th September until the end of October 2008 and a consultation exercise would be undertaken which would provide a platform to publicise what had already been achieved and to highlight gaps. 

As part of this consultation, the Panel was asked to make suggestions for issues that could be fed in to the new action plans.

A question and answer session ensued and the following issues were raised:-

• What work was being undertaken with the trade and breweries to offer more choice in relation to non alcoholic drinks.
• Why some soft drinks were more expensive than alcoholic ones.  It was felt that if prices were lower it would encourage more people to drink non-alcoholic drinks.
• Consideration should be given to raising the age for young people to legally drink in public houses from 18 to 21.
• It was felt that promotions on alcohol in supermarkets caused many people to drink to excess
• The suggestion of fining underage drinkers who drank alcohol in public places
• The need for facilities and outreach workers to be provided in areas where young people regularly congregate to drink
• Whether Cab Watch had been successful elsewhere and what were the taxi drivers’ objections to introducing the scheme in Rotherham.

Resolved:- That the progress made on the strategy be noted.

- minutes of meetings held on 7^th and 21^st July, 2008

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet Members and Advisors for Adult Social Care and Health held on 7 and 21 July 2008 be received and their content noted.

- minutes of meeting held on 24^th July, 2008

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 24 July 2008 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.