Agenda item

Lesley Jones, Director of Public Health gave a presentation on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) being undertaken, which is intended to provide an assessment of local health and social care needs now and in the future.  It is hoped that the JSNA will be used to inform and guide commissioning of health, well-being and social care services within Bury.

       The presentation provided detailed statistical analysis of the health and wellbeing status of Bury communities on a ward by ward basis.  The data         showed where the inequalities in Bury exist and it was explained that this information would help to highlight key findings, identify changes that have occurred and what these changes mean to Bury and help to identify areas for further analysis and exploration.

       Some of the priorities identified following the local needs assessment exercise were detailed as follows:-

o  Pregnancy and Early Years

o  Children and Young People

o  Lifestyle and the Living Environment

o  Work and Welfare

o  Vulnerability

o  Ill Health and Mortality

The emerging priorities from the assessment were identified as:

o   Address health inequalities: causes, deprived communities, understand needs of vulnerable people

o   Emotional wellbeing and mental health

o   Ensuring a best start in life for children

o   Promoting independence for older people

o   Promoting healthy lifestyles:  alcohol, obesity, physical activity, smoking

o   Preventing premature mortality (especially cancers and circulatory diseases

o   Anticipating rising demand and need

       The meeting was informed that the Consultation for the JSNA would run from 18 February to 31 March, 2014.  The key questions forming the consultation would ask local residents if the priorities identified were the right ones and if there are other issues that would benefit from further exploration and if so, why are these important?

       Residents are asked to respond via Bury Council’s website at www.bury.gov.uk or via the leaflets being distributed throughout the community.  At the end of the Consultation process, a report would be compiled of all responses received and the Health & Wellbeing Board would consider the findings and implications for the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and relevant commissioning plans.

       The Chair invited questions, comments and representations from members of the public present at the meeting:-

o   Lesley Wildeman (Topping Fold TRA), stated that it was worrying that a percentage of people did not feel safe outside their home.

Lesley Jones replied that this percentage is improving and 80 % of people do feel safe, however, 100% of people should feel safe outside their home.

o   Tim Boaden (Seedfield Residents’ Association) asked why the early access to maternity care was not as high as anticipated.

It was explained that some women present later in pregnancy and therefore are not accessing all the support that is available from the early stages.

o   Mr Ainsworth questioned how some people could choose not to work?

It was explained that people live by other means, such as benefits and some people financially do not need to work.

o   Mr Ainsworth stated that it was a concern that the bus pass, enabling older people to travel on public transport for free, could be lost.

Although Lesley could not comment on the loss of free travel for the elderly, she stated how important it was for people to get out and about and acknowledged that public transport did play a big part in this.

It was agreed:

          That Lesley Jones, Director of Public Health, be thanked for her presentation.