Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Public Health which provided members of the Joint Special Children and Young People’s and Adults, Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee with the County Durham Sexual Health Strategy (CDSHS) 2023 – 2028, for information (for copy of report and presentation, see file).

Helen Riddell, Public Health Principal was welcomed to the meeting to deliver the report and presentation. The Public Health Principal outlined the CDSHS aligned with national policy and guidance on sexual and reproductive health and linked to key documents from the World Health Authority and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. 

Members noted that a six week public consultation was carried out and the  Public Health Principal explained the five priority areas which were identified in order to reduce health inequalities, namely, relationships and sexual health education across the life course; teenage conceptions; contraception; sexually transmitted infections and reproductive health. The next steps included the production of a detailed delivery plan, with multi-agency involvement to agree key performance indicators and regular update reports will be provided to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Councillor Quinn thanked the service for the work done with regard to adult sexual health and the officer replied that increasing the inclusive support to adults had been highlighted as a key priority area, following the consultation process. 

Councillor Varty questioned whether school governors receive training on relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) done in schools.  The Public Health Principal clarified that public health staff work closely with RSHE leads in primary and secondary schools to provide a whole system approach, to identify specific needs within each school.

Mrs Gunn referred to the need for the work in schools to be, not only age appropriate but also developmentally appropriate and she added that  healthy relationship work was particularly important for neurodivergent young people. The Public Health Principal confirmed that there is recognition that the strategy must meet different levels of understanding to ensure the same healthy relationship messages are conveyed to all young people at the appropriate time.  The Public Health Principal stated that the issue is raised through the alternative provider forum and regional networks will look at guidance to ensure messaging is consistent and new guidance released by the government on the RSHE curriculum is promoted through all education settings.

Councillor Scurfield spoke of the importance of ensuing children and young people looked after and those who are absent from school are included in the work and the officer replied that the development of the plan will include work with parents, foster carers, staff in Residential Homes and alternative providers, to ensure health messages are inclusive.

Councillor Andrews commented on reports of an increase in sexually transmitted infections and the increase of antimicrobial resistance nationally since the Covid-19 pandemic.  The Public Health Principal informed the Committee that the issues are recognised and work will focus on the promotion of prevention interventions.

Resolved:

The joint Children and Young People’s and Adults Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the content of the report, presentation and accompanying County Durham Sexual Health Strategy 2023 – 2028.