Agenda item

The Committee received a report from the Director of Public Health and presentation by the General Manager, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, the Public Health Advanced Practitioner and the Named Nurse Safeguarding, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (for copies see file of Minutes).

The presentation highlighted the work that had been completed over the last 12 months within Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust’s 0-19 service and the areas for improvement priority for the remaining duration of the contract.

The Chairman thanked the officers for a very detailed and comprehensive presentation.

Councillor Kennedy queried why the Emotional Resilience Nurses were in place for the Year 9 pupils and not Year 7.  The General Manager explained that this was a licensed service which was evidence based and Year 9 was the most appropriate year group to target.

Councillor Kennedy went on to ask if mental health awareness work was carried out and was informed that this has been identified as a key priority for all schools, although it was recognised that not all schools had the same needs.  The General Manager explained that resilience work was carried out with Years 5 and 6 in addition to the work being carried out with the Year 9’s.  The Public Health Advanced Practitioner added that the process of developing a quality school framework was part of the development of the whole school approach.

With regards to breastfeeding, Councillor Smith said that despite winning the UNICEF gold award the rates were still below the national average, and she asked what could be done to address this.  In response the General Manager said that they were undertaking a lot more work with schools and younger children to change the culture.  Further to this a group of young people were engaged in this area of work and had been asked about their views on breastfeeding.  A number of these young people thought that breastfeeding was not the norm as they hadn’t seen it or been aware of it.  For example, at the Metro Centre mothers went to the toilets to breastfeed.  Further to another question from Councillor Smith, she was informed that this work did apply to girls and boys as it was important to change the culture overall that breastfeeding was acceptable.

Councillor Kennedy suggested that the secondary school project whereby young people look after a virtual ‘baby’ for a week should also incorporate breastfeeding as an option.

Councillor Patterson asked if there had been any barriers or reasons why only 7 out of 32 schools had taken up the Emotional Health and Resilience offer, in particular poor health and areas of deprivation.  The General Manager replied that eventually all schools would be offered this and that they would look at any barriers that would deter any schools from taking part.  The Public Health Advanced Practitioner added that targeted work was being carried out in relation to deprivation and there was a breastfeeding initiative also taking place.  The Chairman added that this was reflected in other areas such as obesity and tooth decay.

Following on from the points made in relation to deprivation, Councillor Brookes asked if the figures on page 39 of the pack were any different to those previously reported when Surestart Centres were in every community setting.  He said that the Surestart Centre in Fishburn had been replaced by health visitors who looked at targeted areas however he believed that this was not working.  The General Manager said that she would report back to the Committee on historical data.  She explained how it was difficult to target a particular resource and calculations were based on available staffing.  It was important to work with key partners to deliver a universal service but the General Manager said that it was difficult to move staff from one service area to another due to case loads.  She advised that the average case load was 250-270 but was lower in hotspot areas such as Easington, Stanley and Woodhouse Close with 200 case loads.

Ms Evans asked how the service ensured that the voice of the child was recorded in situations such as domestic abuse and if any feedback from the child was recorded.  She also asked about the impact on a child experiencing period poverty and if this was recorded.

The Named Nurse Safeguarding explained that Inspectors had recently changed the ‘voice of a child’ to ‘through the eyes of a child’ and that a lot of dip sampling and audits were being carried out in relation to the 0-19 service.  She informed the Committee that through the eyes of child had also been added to every referral and training had been given on the practical ways of capturing this.  For example, staff would ask the child how they were feeling and this should always be recorded.

In relation to period poverty the General Manager said that this was on the agenda in Durham and they were key partners in this area of work.  Feedback would be reported back to Committee on this issue.

Resolved:

That the recommendations contained within the report be received.