Decision details

Public Health Commissioning Intentions

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

The Committee welcomed the Councillor Helena Hart, the Cabinet Member for Public Health, and the Director of Public Health, Dr Andrew Howe, for the item. 

 

Councillor Hart outlined achievements to date in relation to public health services.  The Committee were informed that it was planned for overweight and obese residents to be supported to lose weight via obesity and weight management clinics.  Further work was underway on cancer prevention with a plan to introduce cancer ‘pop up shops’. 

 

Dr Howe advised the Committee that 2013/14 had been a year of transition for the Public Health service and there had been some issues with the transfer of contracts from the Primary Care Trust, particularly in relation to sexual health services.  It was reported that the re-commissioning of drugs and alcohol services was due to take place in the next eight to 12 months. The Committee were advised that there had been a focus on children’s centres, early years and the healthy schools programme.  It was highlighted that since public health services had come under local authority control, there had been a focus on initiatives to support people back to work and it was reported that these now included the allocation of a health coach.  Public Health had also been working with the Barnet Clinical Commissioning Group on the self-care and integrated care agenda. 

 

A Member questioned whether Public Health had been undertaking any dental hygiene promotional work in schools.  Dr Howe reported that responsibilities in this area were split between public health and NHS England who were responsible for commissioning dental services. Public Health were promoting the “Brushing for Life” campaign and NHS England commissioned their own preventative work.

 

RESOLVED that the update on Public Health Commissioning Intentions as set out in the report and above be noted.

 

Report author: Dr Andrew Howe

Publication date: 11/04/2014

Date of decision: 12/03/2014

Decided at meeting: 12/03/2014 - Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Accompanying Documents: