Agenda item

Members were provided with an overview of how ward health profiles were being updated through the development of a new Public Health Data Observatory and Public Health website.

Historically, the Public Health Team had commissioned 15 ward health profile reviews every two years from the Berkshire Public Health Shared Team.  The resultant data represented a ‘snapshot in time’ and stakeholders had expressed frustration regarding the time lag.

The development of the Slough Public Health Data Observatory provided an opportunity to present public health data in a user-friendly format.  The data would be automatically updated and published; therefore assuring users that they had the latest data available.  Slough Data Observatory would contribute to a library of resources available for decision makers and residents, enabling them to make informed decisions either at an organisational or personal level.  The creation of the Public Health website was a key platform for sharing the information.

The Chair thanked Dr Liz Brutus, Service Lead Public Health for the report and invited Members to comment and ask questions. 

Members had a wide-ranging discussion, during which the following points were raised:

·  The development of the Data Observatory was enthusiastically supported by the Panel. 

·  Members felt the Observatory was an excellent toolkit for policy makers and residents.  The availability of timely data would allow officers to target specific health issues by tailoring the provision of services offered to residents.

·  The Public Health website would provide residents with data that could be used to improve their own health and to lobby the Council for services to improve the health of their communities. 

·  It was noted that the website would be ‘user-friendly’ and would have a language translation option available for the six most commonly spoken languages in Slough. 

·  Voluntary sector organisations would be able to utilise the data and there could be opportunities to ‘up-skill’ volunteers to enable them to make the best use of the information available.

·  A Member queried how the data could be used to provide reassurance to residents.  In response, the Panel was advised that the first stage in the process was to gather reliable data; the next stage would be to consider how the Council could use the information to commission services.  Better quality data would highlight health issue ‘hotspots’.  The Data Observatory and the website would be widely publicised through the Council’s Citizen newspaper, Twitter and Facebook.  In addition, the information would be promoted through organisations such as Healthwatch, Slough Council for Voluntary Service and the Clinical Commissioning Group.

·  A Member asked how the information would be communicated to residents who could not read English.  In reply, the Panel was advised that alternative methods of communication were being considered and video/Youtube would be explored.  It was agreed that promoting the Data Observatory and website via screens in GP waiting rooms would reach a wide cross section of residents.  As a means of reaching all residents, it was suggested that an information leaflet be included with all Council Tax bills.

The Chair then invited Councillor Strutton to address the Panel under Rule 30. 

Councillor Strutton welcomed the development of the Public Health Data Observatory and website.  He noted that the availability of timely information would enable different Council departments to work collaboratively to tackle issues.  For example, the detrimental impact that poor quality housing had on residents’ health.  He said the data could be used by officers to action preventative measures to combat ill health in the Borough. 

The Director of Adults and Communities explained that the Frimley Health and Integrated Care System was working in partnership with the local population to target those residents most in need of support.  Through a focus on individuals, as opposed to organisational structures, there was increased priority placed on prevention and proactive care rather than reactive treatment.  He noted that there were limitations to the services that could be provided given the financial constraints.  The Panel was informed that the Slough Wellbeing Board (SWB) had recently considered local health issues as part of a review of its priorities. 

The Panel welcomed the report and requested that a link to the Public Health website be circulated to Members as soon as the site was live. 

Resolved –

(a)  That the report and presentation be noted.

(b)  That an update report be provided to the Health Scrutiny Panel on 16th January 2020, to demonstrate the Public Health Data Observatory in practice, and present the up-to-date Ward Health and new Ward analyses from the Health Beliefs Research project. 

(c)   That a link to the new Public Health website be circulated to Health Scrutiny Panel Members, by the Service Lead Public Health as soon as the site was live.