Issue - meetings

To consider an update of the Director of Public Health.

The update provides an update on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to discuss and note the update.

Officer contact: Jennifer Connolly on 0161 474 2442 or email: Jennifer.connolly@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update relating to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic for Stockport.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health (Councillor Jude Wells) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Members sought clarification in relation to why the isolation period for care home residents had not been relaxed in line with that of care home staff.

·         In response members were advised that the staff isolation requirements were in line with that of the general public which required a full five day isolation with a negative lateral flow test on both day five and six prior to returning to work. The isolation requirements for care home residents had been reviewed in the previous week which agreed that were a resident was immunocompetent, the isolation requirement would be 10 days, however remained 14 days for those who were immunosuppressed.

·         Noted the geographical variation in vaccination uptake and the relationship with deprivation and whether there was a reason for this.

·         In response it was stated that the governance around the vaccination programme included a vaccine inclusion group who identified areas of inequality, discussed access needs and proactively worked with communities to ensure that vaccine information was being disseminated in the most effective way.

·         Commented on the activity of anti-vaccination groups particularly in relation to the misinformation shared in respect of the effect of the vaccine on fertility and whether the information shared by this group was having an impact on vaccination rates. In response, Members were assured that their activity was being reported through NHS England to deliver a co-ordinated response and ensure that residents were educated to make an informed decision.

·         Members commented on the success of the vaccination programme and thanked the Social Health & Care staff for the support provided during the delivery of the Covid-19 vaccine.

·         Raised concerns in relation to vaccine longevity and the impact on cases following the waning of the effectiveness of the vaccine.

·         Noted the upward trend in cases for the 0-9 age group and raised concerns in relation to the effect of long Covid on this age group.

·         In response members were informed that the 0-9 age group remained the susceptible population in the sense that their peers were not vaccinated and overall, their rates had remained relatively low in comparison with other age groups for the duration of the pandemic. Members were assured that the upward trend in cases was not translating in an upward trend in urgent care requirements and vaccinations would be offered to 5-11 year olds who had a clinical vulnerability.

·         Raised concerns around the impact of long Covid on residents and the support available. In response it was stated that the Council’s website had recently been updated to provide additional information about long Covid including both self-help, support and services that residents were able to access.

The Chair thanked the Director for the most up to date and volume of data shared and informed the Committee that an item relating to the Covid-19 Update would be on the agenda for the next meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and thanks be expressed to all the team for their continued hard work.

To consider an update of the Director of Public Health.

The update provides an update on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to discuss and note the update.

Officer contact: Jennifer Connolly, email:Jennifer.connolly@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update relating to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic for Stockport.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health (Councillor Jude Wells) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·           Members commented on the success of the vaccination programme and thanked the Social Health & Care staff for the support provided during the delivery of the Covid-19 vaccine.

·           Members enquired about the links between underlying health conditions and the likelihood of being more severely affected by the virus. In response it was stated that there were two broad groups of individuals who were more likely to require hospital care which included the unvaccinated and older population. It was expected that the number of hospital admissions amongst the older population would reduce as the booster vaccination roll out was increased.

·           Requested increased signage be placed at the Trinity Methodist vaccination site in Bramhall.

·           Commented on the activity of anti-vaccination groups and whether information shared by this group was having an impact on vaccination rates. In response, Members were assured that their activity was being reported through NHS England to deliver a co-ordinated response and ensure that residents were educated to make an informed decision.

·           In response to a question in relation to security measures at vaccination sites within the borough, Members were advised that the Council and NHS were working closely with Greater Manchester Police to provide security and where an incident had occurred this was shared with the police as appropriate.  

·           In response to concerns in relation to the infection rates amongst young people within schools, Members were informed that the Council were working with education colleagues to minimise disruption to education as much as possible. The contingency framework in place enabled the Council and schools to implement a phased response on an individual basis to respond to outbreaks which included reintroducing face coverings and additional testing, if necessary.

The Chair thanked the Director for the most up to date data and informed the Committee that an item relating to the Covid-19 Update would be on the agenda for the next meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and thanks be expressed to all the team for their continued hard work.