Issue - meetings

Report attached.

Officers explained that it was a statutory duty of the Health and Wellbeing Board to develop this strategy. The Board currently included Councillors, Healthwatch, BHRUT and NELFT and could also expand in the future to include representatives of primary care networks. A draft strategy had been developed by the Board and a public consultation exercise had taken place in August 2019, a report of which was due to be published at the end of January 2020.

There were four priorities within the strategy. Firstly, the wider determinants of health such as employment, housing and reducing fear of crime. The strategy aimed to increase employment for people with health problems or disabilities. Lifestyle and behaviour priorities included obesity prevention, and reduction in smoking, particularly in disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. Further priorities for the strategy covered communities and ‘places we live in’ and recognised the impact of regeneration on the health of local residents as well as the need for better working between housing, health and social care.

The strategy would cover a four year period with regular report on progress with implementation being given to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

It was confirmed that most smoking cessation services had been stopped as a cost saving four years ago. A service was still available for pregnant women and Havering also contributed to a London-wide phone and internet smoking cessation service. It was planned that access to a smoking cessation medication service for Havering would be available by the end of the year.

The Sub-Committee noted the position.