Issue - meetings

The ninth Annual Public Health Report prepared and published by the Director of Public Health reviewing the state of health of the population of Devon and setting out health and wellbeing priorities for Devon is enclosed, separately.

[NB: The Annual Public Health Report may be viewed at:http://www.devonhealthandwellbeing.org.uk/aphr/2015-16/ ]

(Councillors Connett, Julian, Owen and Westlake attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet received and welcomed the ninth Annual Public Health Report prepared and commended to the Cabinet by the Director of Public Health reviewing the state of the health of the population of Devon and setting future health and wellbeing priorities for the local population.

The 2015/16 Report looked at the importance of the health of the public in society in relation to fairness, equality and justice - now and in the future - to ensure continuing progress in improving people’s health and wellbeing.  Members acknowledged that while the health of the public in Devon was broadly favourable (as compared with national indicators or similar geographical areas) there were challenges and areas of concern that had been encapsulated in the priorities and recommendations set out in the Report’s Executive Summary, reflective of the County Councils’ strategic objectives.

Members noted that the Annual Report also recorded achievements against recommendations contained in the previous year’s report, the majority of which had been fully achieved.

In recognising the challenges faced by the Council in delivering services and or prioritising  services for those most in need and in tackling inequalities – Members felt the suggestion of an alternative role for community Hospitals as Centres for Public Health might be worthy of further consideration; as a means also of addressing issues arising from compulsory health checks shortly to be reinstated in Devon. The Chairman of the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee indicated that his Committee would be looking in more detail at the Annual Report and the aforementioned suggestions.

It was MOVED by Councillor Davis SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and

RESOLVED that the Report be welcomed and published.

[NB: The Annual Public Health Report may be viewed at:http://www.devonhealthandwellbeing.org.uk/aphr/2015-16/ ]