Agenda item

The Committee received a joint report of the Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services and the Director of Public Health which provided Members with an update on the health protection assurance arrangements in County Durham and health protection activities over the course of the year (for copy of report, see file of Minutes).

Joy Evans, Strategic Manager Protecting Health and Jo Darke, Consultant in Public Health, UK Health Security Agency were in attendance to present the report.

Councillor Robson referred to refugees coming to the North East and asked if any medical screening was carried in term of communicable diseases such as measles etc.

Officers assured Members that in the North East they had only had between 70 and 80 confirmed cases of measles, in other parts of the country they were running into the hundreds. This was down to the work that had been carried out to get the MMR vaccination coverage up and stated that the North East do not receive a huge number of refugees in comparison to other areas. When those individuals were dispersed to the area they would register with Primary Care, and they produced a Health Guide that outlined the tests that should be carried out.

In response to a further question from Councillor Robson, Officers advised that if someone did not have evidence of a vaccination then depending on the vaccination it would be administered. Durham County Council were carrying a lot of work with the workforce that met with asylum seekers and they know to direct them into Primary Care.

Councillor Hovvels asked if they had seen an increase in the Dengue Fever.

Officers responded that they had not had any cases in County Durham and indicated that when they see a rise in any infections then UK NHS produces a briefing note so that GPS and Hospital Doctors have the information.

Ms McGee, Healthwatch County Durham referred to Section 8 and the Horden Together partnership that was to be extended that was welcomed and asked what areas this would be and if it would be extended further into the County.

Officers advised that they would take this back to the Head of Community Protection Services for a response.

The Chair referred to Sexually Transmitted disease such as syphilis and gonorrhoea that was not easily picked up and asked if this was a potential problem.

Officers responded that they share information with hospital physicians and primary care. They had also been working with ante natal services to raise their awareness.

Resolved: (i) That the contents of the report be noted.

(ii) That the report provided broad assurance that effective processes are in place for each of the key strands of health protection activity be noted.

(iii) That Members noted and supported the areas for improvement and further assurance, particularly the school-aged immunisation service contract and sexual health contract. Both of these contracts are priority areas of work for improvement, development and assurance.