Agenda item

Purpose: To report on how the ward profiles can be used to identify links between deprivation and health.

Lesley Wyman introduced the item to Members of the Board, which aimed to inform them on how ward profiles could be used to identify links between deprivation and health.

Lesley Wyman gave a presentation to the Board. In summary:

·        The ward profiles included information on demographics; deprivation, poverty and access to services; economy and enterprise; education; health; housing; community safety and the environment.

·        Summary spine charts showed the areas where each ward was performing more or less positively compared to the West Berkshire average.

·        Regarding deprivation, each ward was ranked out of the 30 wards in West Berkshire.

·        School children receiving free school meals was a measure used when calculating deprivation. Recently however, this measure had changed as all children in reception received schools meals. The coding would need to be  changed accordingly to ensure it was still apparent, which families were on lower incomes.

·        A caveat was highlighted regarding health data because data at ward level was often very small numbers and therefore should not be used to make strong conclusions, especially forecasting trends etc.

·        Regarding mortality rates, levels were higher in wards which were more deprived.

·        There were also ward profiles featured on the Local Government Associations (LGAs) website. Although these profiles used the same data as that used for West Berkshire’s own profiles, it was set out in a different way that some might find useful.

·        Lifestyle data indicated that 65% of people in West Berkshire were overweight or obese. This was similar to the national average but still very high.

·        Census data used for the ward profiles was from the year 2011 and therefore was reasonably up to date.

·        Central heating information was an important measure of fuel poverty.

·        Regarding how the ward profiles would be used, there were many factors that affected someone’s health and wellbeing. The aim was to achieve positive outcomes for the population, address inequalities in health and understanding where to target resources and services. 

·        There were two overarching Public Health Outcome Framework Indicators (PHOF): increased healthy life expectancy and reduced difference in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy between communities

Lesley Wyman concluded her presentation on ward profiles by exploring the possible ways forward. There was the potential to link to the parish planning process; use the new Communities Sub-group to guide the process; explore other ward based work that could be linked to and increase involvement of elected Members. Lesley Wyman explained that although the Public Health Team wanted to do more around this work, capacity was a limiting factor. Community asset mapping was a possibility for the future however; this would require resourcing and a partnership approach.

Asset Mapping was a possibility for the future however, this would require resourcing and a partnership approach.

Cathy Winfield was interested to see how community asset mapping could be linked to the Adult Social Care hub work. Tandra Forster felt that this was an area that needed building on and that more could be done at ward level through working with the parishes/communities.

Councillor Marcus Franks noted a similarity to the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) paper. Cathy Winfield highlighted that pharmacies were excluded from the work of the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG). Cathy Winfield added that risk mapping was taking place across surgeries. It was important that housing development and planning were also taken into account.

Councillor Franks pointed out that none of the three most deprived wards in West Berkshire had a GP surgery located within them.

Rachael Wardell stated that Lesley Wyman was working closely with the Communities Directorate Leadership Team, who were having active conversations regarding what could be done collaboratively. A programme of work was unfolding with a focus on community resilience. Community assets needed to be drawn on to a greater degree and assurance was given that a piece of work was taking place.

Dr Bal Bahia thanked Lesley Wyman for her presentation, which he felt highlighted areas that were often overlooked. Dr Bahia felt that focusing on community asset mapping and empowering communities was moving things in the right direction however, consideration was now required as to how these things would be made to happen.

Dr Lise Llewellyn reiterated that the ward profile data often consisted of small numbers however, it did initiate useful conversations. The work linked to care groups including both children and older people. Links to community development was something that needed exploring further.

Rachael Wardell stated that conversations did not necessarily need to be led from the Health and Wellbeing Board and alternatively could be given to the community to lead on. Ward Members worked at grass root level within communities. Councillor Gwen Mason felt that caution needed to be taken when going out to the community, as it was vital that they fully understood what was trying to be achieved.

Councillor Franks suggested that the link to the ward profiles be emailed to all Members. Lesley Wyman suggested that there be a short session aimed at supporting Members to interpret the data accurately.

RESOLVED that the link to ward profile would be emailed out to all elected Members.