Meeting documents

            Meeting: Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee (County Hall, Durham - Committee Room 2 - 11/07/2005 10:00:00 AM)

                  Item: A11 Scrutiny Projects and Work Programme

         

---

Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee

11 July 2005

Scrutiny Projects and Work Programme

Report of Head of Overview and Scrutiny

Purpose of Report

1. To up-date the work programme for the Sub-Committee.

Background

2. Trying to provide a manageable work programme for the Sub-Committee is challenging. The Sub-Committee will have control over the subjects it chooses. Advice suggests that, from a capacity point of view, and to seek to ensure that achievements are secured rather than information simply noted, a small number of projects should be undertaken.

3. In addition to projects chosen by the Sub-Committee, there will be significant issues which will need to be dealt with by the Sub-Committee as statutory consultee. These consultation issues by their nature cannot be anticipated well in advance and will need to be accommodated into the Sub-Committee’s work programme.

4. The Sub-Committee has decided to consider projects about chronic heart disease and alcohol and drugs. The Chronic Heart Disease and Strokes projects will commence with a position statement presentation on the 29 ^th July by a representative of the North East Public Health Observatory.

5. A presentation about Health and Public Transport is being planned and information about this issue will be circulated in the near future.

6. The Sub-Committee will also be reviewing issues following the investigation into Child Health last year. Three main issues arose from that study which could have a major influence on the improvement of child health in the County:-

7. In relation to breast feeding, Darlington Borough Council has, with the assistance of the Centre for Public Scrutiny, been involved in a pilot scheme to promote breast feeding in Darlington. A representative of Darlington Borough Council has been requested to give a presentation to this Sub-Committee to pass on important lessons which have been learnt. One issue which is being pursued is the encouragement of the adoption of policies by public sector organisations in relation to breast feeding for mothers returning to work and public sector premises.

8. In relation to second-hand smoke, Members of the Sub-Committee may be aware that a new initiative has been introduced recently in the region. This is the Campaign for a Smoke Free North East which has been recently launched. It may be helpful, at some stage, if the Sub-Committee were given a briefing about the campaign. One of its aims is very similar to the objective which arose from the Child Health Conference promoted by the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee last year.

9. Public sector bodies have been encouraged to sign up to the Smoke Free Charter produced by ASH. This may be overtaken, to an extent, by the Campaign for a Smoke Free North East. It could be beneficial to consider a Durham Smoke Free Charter which would be complementary to the campaign’s approach. A number of District Councils have already made a ‘smoke free’ commitment. It is hoped that all public sector bodies in the County, in due course, could sign up to a similar commitment.

Recommendation

9. You are recommended to note the work programme.

Contact: Ian Mackenzie Tel: 0191 383 3506

CALENDAR

PROJECT

REVIEW

2004

October	Obesity	Exercise Referral Schemes
November	Child Health Conference
December

2005

January
February
March	Development Session
April
May
June

July

Chronic Heart Disease and Strokes

MRSA

August	Transport ?
September
October

F:\COMMSEC\Minutes System\Health Scrutiny\11 July 05\Item 11.doc

---

Attachments

 Item 11 pdf.pdf