Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services, Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change and Corporate Director of Children and Young people’s Services which presented Cabinet with the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JLHWS) for information (for copy of report see file of minutes).

Councillor C Hood, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Adult and Health Services explained that health and wellbeing was influenced by a range of factors. The strategy addressed the impact of behavioural risk factors and wider determinants of health (the building blocks of good health) as well as the impact of access to and quality of health and social care.

There were four points which a focussed effort would have the biggest impact on Durham’s health outcomes. These points were based on evidence from the Joint Strategic Needs and Assets Assessment to determine and were:

·      To make smoking history,

·      Enable a healthy weight for all,

·      Improve mental health, wellbeing and resilience, an

·      Reduce alcohol harms

The Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy was underpinned by the County Durham Approach to Wellbeing which helped focus on the key role that people, families and communities played in supporting health and wellbeing. The Strategy is high-level, simple and easy to understand and helps partners, communities and individuals get on board in tackling priority areas.

Councillor Hood would look forward to working with members of the Health and Wellbeing Board and across the wider system to strengthen the relationship with partners who would support the wider influences of health.

Councillor T Henderson, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People’s Services explained that it was reassuring that mental health remained a priority, as this was something that children and young people often flagged as an issue for themselves and their families.

It was good that the strategy alluded to vaping, as while we wanted to encourage adults to stop smoking, we needed to ensure that this was not something our children and young people take up.

Councillor T Henderson was confident that the strategy would support children and families’ health and wellbeing needs.

Resolved:

That Cabinet receive and note the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023-28.