Agenda item

To note Southwark Council’s response to the London Mayor’s Health Inequalities Strategy and to discuss some potential ‘pledges’ in support of the strategy.

Councillor Maisie Anderson, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Social Regeneration introduced the report.  The board also heard from Professor Kevin Fenton, Director of Health and Wellbeing.

Councillor Anderson reported that the Strategy had been published in draft form in August 2017 for consultation.  The council responded in November 2017 with views and examples of what the council considered to be good practice in Southwark and also how the council as a local authority could help the mayor to achieve more in this area.

Councillor Anderson highlighted that the Mayors draft strategy really emphasised a ‘health in all policies’ approach which she felt very much reflected what is done in Southwark, both in terms of the council’s public health work and in the new work on social regeneration.  She advised that the strategy focuses on 5 key areas, healthy children, health minds, healthy places, healthy communities and healthy habits which she felt was a very forward looking approach and very helpful.  The next step with the strategy development was that the mayor was looking for pledges from partners.  Councillor Anderson explained the rationale behind each pledge.

Professor Fenton stressed that he wanted the Southwark pledges to lead across London.  He felt that the proposed pledges did address the wider determinants of inequalities but that he wanted to hear from members of the board.

A number of points were made by the members of the board:

·  Long term study on regeneration and impact on existing communities should be carried out.

·  Should be specific pledge around young people as there are so many inequalities that can be experienced at such an early age.

·  Mental health first aid training and the broader first aid training really important and should be extended to the communities, not just be made responsibility of employers.  Possibly some work for the voluntary sector.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Council’s response to the London Mayor’s Health Inequalities Strategy be noted.

2.  That the pledges contained in paragraph 9 of the report and set below be made in support of the London Mayor’s Health Inequalities Strategy:

  i.  We will create healthy places, ensuring regeneration works for everyone, to improve health and wellbeing – Southwark Council is committed to ensuring that regeneration works for everyone in Southwark and will develop a social regeneration framework together with NHS, local business and the VCS to make this happen.

  ii.  We will promote and ensure equitable access to physical activity in our free swim and gym programme – Southwark Council will continue to support Free Swim and Gym in the borough and NHS and VCS partners will signpost residents to the service.

  iii.  We will maximise opportunities to promote mental health and resilience to our staff and communities – Southwark Council and CCG will work together to provide the opportunity of mental health promotion training to front line staff across the partnership system.

  iv.  We will tackle the devastating physical and mental health inequalities caused by diabetes – Southwark CCG, Council and local partners have committed to reducing the incidence, prevalence and complications of type 2 diabetes - a common long term condition estimated to affect up to 10% of Southwark residents, but especially the most disadvantaged, and ethnic minorities. The CCG pledges to continue to invest in the diabetes prevention programme.

  v.  We will strengthen the measurement, tracking and reporting of the impact of our actions to reduce inequalities – Community Southwark will work with Southwark Council and the VCS Sector to develop and agree indicators that impact positively on reducing health inequalities.

3.  That the wording of the pledges be strengthened.

4.  That an additional pledge be made specific to Children and Young People.