Agenda and minutes

To receive (if any)

Apologies were received for the absence of Councillors Laurance Garrard, Jacqueline McArdle, Christine Smith, Bryan Vincent, Frankie Walker and Co-optee Julie Lamb.

Members are invited to disclose any interests in any of the items on the agenda at this point of the meeting.  Members may still declare an interest in an item at any time prior to the consideration of the matter.

There were no discloures of interests.

The Chairman will announce details of the arrangements in case of fire or other events that might require the meeting room or building’s evacuation.

The Chairman reminded Members of the action to be taken in an emergency.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 26^th July 2023 and authorise the Chairman to sign them

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman.

Report and appendix attached

The Sub-Committee was presented with an update report on GP engagement.

NHS officers explained to members that primary care (PC) was part of the Integrated Borough Partnership and worked alongside local area coordinators (LACs) who work in 3 areas; Harold Hill, Collier Row and Rainham. Members noted funding for more LACs in Romford had been acquired.

Officers then explained the #BeeWell survey which was an initiative that worked with 10 schools within the Borough who took part in the survey and the results will be fed back to the partnership, including GPs. Members noted that funding had been received for work to have a young person steering group to identify actions to improve the wellbeing of young people, which is another example of youth engagement.

It was noted by members that the NHS was working harder to engage more with collages across the Borough and were also working with volunteer centres who attend sessions in Romford town centre.

The Sub-Committee made no recommendations and noted the report.

Report attached

The Sub-Committee was presented with a report on MMR vaccinations.

Colleagues from NHS England, NEL ICB and Havering explained the MMR virus was saliva born and is easily transmitted from person to person. Members noted there had been 141 cases recently in the UK with 60% being in London. It was noted that of the 141 cases, 58% of them were children under 10 and 23% of cases were imported from overseas. Members noted that there had been 7 Mumps cases in Havering and Measles cases had slowly increased since 2022.

It was explained to members that the first MMR vaccination is given to children when they turn 1 year old with a second at age 3 years old before school. It was noted that there is a high uptake for the first vaccination but uptake falls with the second and third vaccinations. It was noted that the target uptake for Havering was 95% but the actual uptake was under the target. The actual uptake was higher than London, however, but was on par with England.

Members noted that communication strategies were being adapted for local communities to make them more accessible, understandable and transparent with data systems to highlight where focused support is needed. The Sub-Committee also noted the Council would work with schools and Head Teachers to provide information to parents before and during school.

The Sub-Committee made no recommendations and noted the report.