Agenda item

Joanna Saunders, Head of Health Improvement, Public Health

Joanna Saunders, Public Health, presented an update on the Childhood Obesity Review recommendations which had been considered by Cabinet on 16th October, 2013 (Minute No. 95 refers).

The re-commissioning of the Healthy Weight Framework (West Management Services) had commenced in May, 2014, following Cabinet approval (Minute No. 223 of 19^th March, 2014, refers).    The whole Healthy Weight Framework had been subject to review due to the budgetary pressures and the procurement process suspended at the end of July with all existing services extended to 31^st December, 2014.  However, the procurement had now been resumed and contracts would be awarded in the New Year.

Rotherham’s Healthy Weight Framework continued to attract national interest and its specifications recognised as representing good practice in published papers and guidance.

Since the last update, progress had been made with work underway on a number of the recommendations:-

-          Revised Healthy Weight Framework Service specifications now consistent with updated national guidance.  Re-procurement would be complete and new contracts awarded across the whole Framework by January, 2015

-          The new contracts would include a single point of access and web-based data management system which would ensure all patients were triaged into the correct Service and monitored effectively

-          The new School Nursing specification included targets for referrals to Children’s Weight Management Services

-          Improvements in the relationship between Service providers and School Nursing to enhance their skills in identifying and referring young people

-          The national Policy introducing free school meals to Reception and KS1 children had increased meals served per day

-          The obesity performance clinic held in May, 2014, had led to enhanced collaborative working on the wider determinants of overweight and obesity with other Council services

Discussion ensued on the report with the following issues raised/clarified:-

·           201314 data recently published showed that Rotherham’s rates had slightly gone up

·           The data was always slightly skewed due to it being a different cohort measured every year

·           Public Health England had started to look at trend data averaged on a three year basisto get a better picture looking at Y1-2-3, Y2-3-4 and Y3-4-5

·           Over 1,000 children had achieved weight loss through the Service

·           Children were very dependent upon their parents getting them to/engaging with the Service and a full family approach was best

·           The height and weight measurements were carried out during the term after Christmas up to the Summer.  All the results had to be uploaded onto the national system and analysed over the Summer holidays.  Due to staff resources all schools were not done at the same time

·           Schools were given an indication of when the programme would be coming to them and they wrote to the parents. Should a parent not wish their child to be included they had to opt out

·           There were really good levels of coverage – high 90%.  The measurements were taken sensitively and people were more comfortable with it taking place now it was more well established

·           Currently there was no data connection between a child’s height and weight and their attainment.  The information could not be passed onto another provider but discussion had taken place as to the extent to which attainment could be broken down in relation to weight in the future

·           MoreLife (Carnegie, Leeds) had been the provider of Rotherham’s residential summer camp.  Generally all the children that stayed achieved a substantial weight loss

·           The Services commissioned by Rotherham were built on the model developed by the MoreLife Programme.  It was a partnership arrangement between MoreLife and Places for People, Rotherham’s leisure provider

·           Only children in Reception (aged 4-5) and Y6 (10-11) were measured.  The proportion of children who are overweight and obese increased significantlyfrom Reception to Y6

·           It was really important that physical and active lifestyles were promoted for the whole family as the children did not have the autonomy to go to playgrounds etc. without parental input and support.  It was easier to influence behaviour when the child was younger

·           The Carnegie camp was set in a former boarding school where a complete controlled environment could be created for a period of 5-6 weeks.  The children ate normal foods with no snacking, sweets, meals ate at the table with others.  The food was calorie controlled so the children learnt what was a normal healthy meal and incorporate it into family life when back home.  Parents visited and were expected to engage in the education sessions and given a lot of information about incorporating the messages into family life when the children returned home

·           This year 19 young people had gone to the camp.  It cost £3,500 per child who had to be agreed between 8-17 years

·           In the summer holidays Rotherham also ran intensive support for obese children within the local delivery programme

·           Single point of access was important.  An assessment was made and a series of questions asked during the process of registration to ascertain what services would best meet their needs

·           The funding had originally come from the Rotherham Primary Care Trust.  It had been passported through to the Council as part of the ringfenced Public Health grant

·           Free school meals had been introduced nationally for younger children and provided a good start in early years but families needed to be aware of the eligibility criteria for when children were older to encourage take up as not all families who were eligible did so

Resolved:-  (1)  That a further update be submitted by the Head of Health Improvement to the Select Commission in July 2015.

(2) That the Weight Management Service providers be invited to the July, 2015, meeting to talk about their services and development plans.

(3) That further information be provided regarding Recommendation 12 from the review and the points relating to schools that were considered by CYPS Departmental Leadership Team.

(4) That information about the eligibility criteria for free school meals be circulated to the Select Commission.