Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2010/004

Contact: Jonathan McWilliam, Director of Public Health Tel: (01865) 336707

Report by Director of Public Health (CA9).

This is the fourth Annual Report by a Director of Public Health for Oxfordshire (jointly appointed by the NHS and the County Council).  The recommendations are made for all organisations in Oxfordshire and for the public.

The aims are simple:

1. To report on progress made in the last year and set out challenges for the next year;

2. To galvanise action on five main threats to the future health, wellbeing and prosperity of Oxfordshire; and

3. To add an emphasis on two strongly emerging threats, namely those posed by dementia and alcohol abuse.

The five main long-term threats are:

• Breaking the cycle of deprivation

• An ageing population – the “demographic time bomb”

• Mental health and wellbeing: avoiding a Cinderella service

• The rising tide of obesity

• Fighting killer infections

The threat posed by dementia is described in the chapter on an ageing population.

The threat posed by alcohol abuse takes its place as the sixth long-term threat to health.

Progress will be monitored in future reports.  Long-term success will depend on achieving wide consensus across many organisations.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to recommend the Council to approve and adopt the recommendations in the report.

Cabinet considered the fourth Annual Report by a Director of Public Health for Oxfordshire (jointly appointed by the NHS and the County Council). The recommendations are made for all organisations in Oxfordshire and for the public.

Councillor Patrick, Leader of the Opposition, asked that the phrase ‘demographic time bomb’ be replaced. She was pleased to see that alcohol abuse was being taken seriously and that caring for our carers was receiving attention. For the future there was an issue around food additives that she would wish to see addressed. She also welcomed the work around ‘breaking the cycle of deprivation’ and hoped that it would not be affected by decreases in funding. Particularly important was work to address inequalities in education. The Cabinet Member for Police and Policy Coordination replied that in terms of funding appropriate targeting was most important.

The Director for Public Health reported on progress made in the last year and future challenges; highlighted and urged action on the main threats to the future health, wellbeing and prosperity of Oxfordshire; and emphasised

The threat posed by dementia and alcohol abuse.

Cabinet Members commented on the report as it affected their portfolios and generally welcomed the report and supported the recommendations contained within it.

RESOLVED:             to recommend the Council to approve and adopt the recommendations in the report.