Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Service Director (Strategy and Performance)

The report provides the Scrutiny Committee with a summary of the recent guidance issued to support the transition of public health functions to the Local Authority, detailing the progress and activities which have taken place to date.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Donna Sager on Tel: 474 3928 or email: donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Strategy and Performance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with an update on the recent guidance which had been issued to support the transition of public health functions from the Primary Care Trust to the Local Authority.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The current spend by the Primary Care Trust on Public Health was in the region of £9.5m and it was hoped that the Local Authority would receive a similar level of funding when the responsibility for Public Health provision transferred.

·         It was anticipated that the public health duties and the 40 PCT staff would transfer to the Local Authority in October 2012.

·         There needed to be a clear flow of information between the various bodies responsible for safeguarding children particularly in view of the emergence of a number of Academies in the borough.

·         The full range of commissioning responsibilities to be assigned to Local Authorities.

·         The challenge of addressing childhood obesity.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the Service Director (Strategy and Performance) be requested to provide regular updates to future meetings of the Scrutiny Committee.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Strategy & Performance).

The report provides a summary of the recent guidance which has been issued to support the transition of public health functions to the Local Authority, detailing progress and activities that have taken place to date.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Donna Sager, 0161 474 3928, donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Strategy & Performance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with a summary of the recent guidance issued to support the transition of public health function to the Local Authority and detailing progress and activities that have taken place to date.

The Director of Public Health, the Service Director (Strategy & Performance) and the Executive Councillor (Adults & Health) responded to questions and comments from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The level of resources that would be provided by the Department of Health to the Council was as yet unknown. Without this information it was difficult to determine what additional or different future provision may be possible.

·         Efforts were being made to ensure that there was stability with the workforce in the lead up to transition. It was hoped that uncertainties around TUPE for existing NHS Staff would be settled at a national level.

·         The potential for the integration of services was a key opportunity to improve outcomes. This Scrutiny Committee had an important role, working with other scrutiny committees, to ensure Public Health commissioned services were improving outcomes.

·         Increased emphasis on school health would be welcomed, particularly doctors visiting schools as part of health screening programmes.

·         Concern was expressed about whether the pressure on Public Health services and staff during the transition would impact on service and whether reductions in other services may have an adverse impact on health outcomes.

·         There was a danger that the valuable role of a national co-ordinating and commissioning body like Public Health England began to interfere in the legitimate local functioning of public health services.

·         The Director of Public Health had a vital role in ensuring that health was embedded in the work of all council services and that the budget for public health was used effectively.

·         The Council and NHS were seeking to make the most of the opportunities presented by the transfer, including accelerating the timescales for this ahead of the national timetable, working to ensure all council staff had ‘public health’ skills and exploring collaborative working with other councils and with other Greater Manchester Directors of Public Health where there were areas of mutual interest or where skills/ services could complement each other.

·         It was hoped that there would be commitment from the Government to increase Public Health expenditure as a proportion of total NHS spend, which would allow more preventative public health work to improve outcomes, along with an increased focus on evidence based commissioning.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Scrutiny Committee would welcome further updates on the Public Health transition as appropriate.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Strategy and Performance).

The report provides a summary of the recent guidance which has been issued to support the transition of public health functions to the Local Authority and details the progress and activities that have taken place to date.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Donna Sager on 474 3928 or email: donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Strategy and Performance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of recent guidance which had been issued to support the transition of public health functions to local authorities and detailing the progress and activities that had taken place to date.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.