Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Public Health.

The report presents the statutory Director of Public Health Annual Report for 2021-22, and tells the story of the COVID-19 pandemic in Stockport. The report is structured into themes that match its four core purposes; to record the Stockport Story, to celebrate that we came together in our response and the success we achieved, to describe the ongoing impacts, both the good and the bad, and to learn from our experience, what worked and what didn’t; and make recommendations for the future.

The Board is recommended to:-

(1)  Note the contents of the report and the recommendations and consider how they can continue to address these through their work.

(2)  Seek assurance at a suitable date that the recommendations of this report are implemented, as part of their ongoing work.

Officer contact: Ben Fryer on 07929 847904 or email: ben.fryer@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Public Health submitted the Director of Public Health Annual Report for 2021-22 (copies of which had been circulated) which told the story of the COVID-19 pandemic in Stockport. The report was structured into themes that match its four core purposes; to record the Stockport Story, to celebrate the response and success achieved, to describe the ongoing impacts, both the good and the bad, and to learn from the experience, what worked and what didn’t; and made recommendations for the future.

The following comments were made/issued raised:-

·         It was noted that the report had been written in past tense, however COVID-19 was still an issue. It queried whether the current number of cases was known and whether COVID-19 was as prevalent as it was in 2021/22.

·         In response, it was commented that the data was no longer available to provide a categorically numerical answer to the number of cases of COVID-19. However, through the high level national surveillance of infectious disease, there was both flu and Covid circulating in the community alongside other infectious diseases which was normal for winter. It was noted that coronaviruses had always been part of the seasonal mix of viruses that were generally referred to as the common cold and Covid continued to be a more serious component in that mixture of diseases. It was noted that whilst people were becoming ill with Covid, they were not becoming as ill as they were in the pandemic which was likely related to a degree of immunity within the community due to the vaccine or from previously contracting Covid and infection prevention and control was continuing through vaccinations and day-to-day infection prevalence prevention practices.

·         It was noted that the community response to the pandemic was commendable.

·         It was noted that Covid had exacerbated the issue of inequality and a number of pieces of work were underway to make a concerted effort to reduce the inequality gap across the borough.

·         Thanked officers for a comprehensive report which captured the essence of the actions and achievements throughout the pandemic response across the system and spirit of the Stockport family, and welcomed the inclusion of testimonials and case studies.

·         It was commented that Covid was linked to the change in culture from face-to-face only GP appointments to a mix of face-to-face and virtual appointments which had a number of benefits.

·         It was requested that officers write to the previous Director of Public Health to express thanks on behalf of the Board for her work throughout the pandemic.

·         In relation to the assurance that the recommendations of the report would be implemented, it was commented that the Director of Public Health would take these forward to ensure emergency preparedness for future pandemics or future emergencies and continued recovery which included a focus on health inequalities.

RESOLVED – That the report and recommendations be noted.