Agenda and minutes

To receive declarations of interest from Members in respect of items listed on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 7 March 2024 as a true and correct record of the proceedings and to be signed by the Chair.

The Chair invited comments or questions relating to the minutes of the previous meeting.

Councillor Thorp noted his shock that 24% of women accessing services in Rotherham have complex social problems, as identified at minute 58, Maternity Services Update, paragraph 12, bullet point 3.  He sought clarity on whether this is in line with national position or if this is a local issue.

Councillor Yasseen advised that Councillor Thorp’s query was discussed during the meeting so it may be helpful to review the webcast. Councillor Yasseen added that there are additionalities present within Rotherham which contributing to that group, such as specific vulnerabilities, resulting in impact on the service.  It was also noted during that meeting that despite the higher level of need, this does not result in the provision of additional funding or resource unfortunately.

Resolved:-

That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2024 be approved as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

To receive questions relating to items of business on the agenda from members of the public or press who are present at the meeting.

There were no questions from members of the public or the press.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any part of the agenda.

There were no items of business on the agenda which required the exclusion of the press and public from the meeting.

To seek a representative from the Health Select Commission (HSC) to sit as a member on the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel.

Meeting dates for 2024-2025:

·       Thursday 11 July 2024

·       Thursday 17 October 2024

·       Thursday 30 January 2025

·       Thursday 24 April 2025

The Chair sought a representative from the Health Select Commission to sit as a member of the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel.  Councillor Thorp volunteered to be the Health Select Committees representative for 2024/25.

Resolved:-

That the Health Selection Commission appointed Councillor Thorp as its representative on the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel for 2024/25.

To receive information from Ben Anderson, Director of Public Health, RMBC about his role and that of the Council in the context of the Health Select Commission.

The Chair welcomed Ben Anderson, Director of Public Health. 

The Director of Public Health provided a high-level overview of his portfolio, his role and that of the Council in the context of the work of the Health Select Commission; outlining key issues, strategies and resources of relevance to its members, advising that the purpose of his presentation was to provide an overview and background.

This included the determinants of Health and what this means to a public health leader in order to promote a broad view of what health was for the commission, the burden of disease within Rotherham and the impact thereof, prevention and health inequalities, an overview of the health system in Rotherham and the key strategies impacting on health.

The Director of Public Health underlined the importance of holding Officers to account for performance against the stated aims of agreed strategy within this scrutiny setting.

Three studies were referenced in connection with determinants of health, and Members were asked to note the extent to which health care contributed to overall health within each of those studies: ranging from 15% to 43%.  The Director of Public Health highlighted this specifically as often scrutiny focused heavily on the NHS and the ways in which they impact health locally, whilst the data reflected that there was a much broader range of impact factors to which the commission ought to have due regard. These included housing, socio-economic factors, genetics and behaviours amongst others and in reality, improving public health often relied on preventative measures and initiatives in place prior to health services being accessed.

Members were advised that the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) would be helpful to members as it contained a wealth of data around health impacts and health status in Rotherham.

The Director of Public Health outlined the wider determinants of health and the notable impact of these factors during the pandemic, such as access to green spaces, transport, education, social and community networks.  Members’ attention was drawn to evidence indicating that these socio-economic and environmental factors had a greater influence on health than the healthcare services themselves.

The Director of Public Health advised that since joining the Council in 2021, the Council had adopted a prevention led system focussing on positive impacts in relation to systemic factors, maximising early detection and diagnosis, latterly delivering person centred care and condition management which prioritised individual health ambitions and quality of life.

The Director of Public Health advised Members that health inequalities was a significant topic in Rotherham, with members of the public falling ill at a younger average age than elsewhere in the country and living with the impact of long term conditions or ill health for longer than people generally do in this country, with a difference of 10 years in the most deprived areas.  These health inequalities were largely driven by multiple sources of disadvantage. Notably, for women in Rotherham the gap in life expectancy was increasing.

Global Burden of Disease data, as it specifically relates  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To receive and consider the minutes and recommendations of the South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The full agenda and reports pack can be accessed via: https://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=520&MId=9132&Ver=4

The Chair invited Members comments in relation to the minutes and recommendations from the meeting of the South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) held on 25 March 2024.

Councillor Yasseen noted that this was the only JHOSC meeting that neither herself as Chair or Councillor Miro as Vice-Chair were not able to attend so could not provide any clarity on the minutes.

Councillor Havard queried the position on the availability of dentistry appointments as there had been questions from constituents.

Councillor Yasseen noted that the report on Oral Health would be coming to the next meeting of the Health Select Commission.

Resolved:-

That the Health Select Commission:

1.    Noted the minutes and recommendations of the previous Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

To consider any item(s) which the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There was no urgent business to be considered at this meeting.  However, the Chair wished to note that a consultation would be taken via email to consider moving the start time of this meeting to 5.30 p.m.

The Chair also advised that in the interests of maximising participation, the online pre-meeting of the Health Select Commission would be moving to 5.30 p.m.

The Chair advised Members that to assist new Members in particular in respect of knowledge and understanding, a glossary would be developed to provide a point of reference in relation to frequently used terminology.

The next meeting of the Health Select Commission will be held on 25 July 2024 commencing at 5.00 p.m. in Rotherham Town Hall. 

Resolved:-

That the Health Select Commission noted that the next meeting would take place Thursday 25 July 2024 at 5.00 pm.