Decision details

The Public Health Development Manager, Rabiya Gangreker, provided the Board with an update on health protection assurance arrangements in Blackburn with Darwen and health protection activities undertaken during 2023/24 with accompanying slides. 

The report summarised the key achievements against health protection priorities in 2023/24

The Board was asked to:

a)    Note the information within the report.

b)    Note that the report provides assurance that effective processes are in place to protect population health.

There was a range of ongoing work across partners to protect the health of the local population and much progress had been made during 2023/24 to address the key issues and deliver on action plans. Whilst challenges remained, the local Health Protection Board was well established and provided an effective mechanism for bringing partners together to work on health protection issues, share and review action plans and provide challenge and support.

Examples of Health Protection Activity in 2023/24 included;

·       Ongoing support provided to care homes, educational settings, and other complex settings to manage COVID19 and other outbreaks. Support provided by Quality Assurance colleagues and LCC’s IPC team via our service level agreement.

·       IPC audits completed in

o   10 care homes

o   1 SEN school

o   6 maintained nurseries

o   Hand hygiene awareness sessions delivered in 7 BwD primary schools

·       IPC forums held in BwD on the following topics:

o   Sepsis

o   Antimicrobial resistance

o   General infections

·       Facilitation of the seasonal flu group to support the increased uptake of the seasonal flu vaccination

o   40.2% of primary school aged children and 19.2% of secondary school aged children in BwD accepted the offer of flu vaccinations, similar to last year’s uptake

·       Continued support to partners (primary care, NHS England and L&SC ICB) to increase uptake of immunisations and screening programmes across the life course

It was noted that there was some uncertainty regarding future planning for the screening and vaccinations programmes due to the upcoming election. Coordination was at a regional rather than local level and Directors of Health and the Place Based Partnership were 2/3 layers removed from the decision-making processes.

It was acknowledged that vaccination uptake was poor, with the HPB vaccination uptake dropping from 95% to 45% in recent years. MMR / Covid / Flu vaccinations also had poor uptake. Insight and targeting were required. Public scepticism had grown, and Public Health Adverts needed recommissioning.

Place Based Initiatives needed to be funded by the NHS / Primary Care providers. Funding was fragmented but conversations were starting to take place.

Measles and shingles were reported as being on the increase and deaths confirmed to Whooping Cough. It was felt that lives were now at risk due to lack of herd immunity in the Community.

It was agreed that the priorities for the coming year must include supporting the increased uptake of the flu vaccination across all priority cohorts. To continue to provide an enhanced IPC support offer to complex settings in the Borough. Ensure equitable coverage and uptake of screening and immunisation programmes via the ICB’s screening and immunisations oversight group, and implement the authority’s sexual health strategy.

RESOLVED – That the Board

a)    Noted the information within the report.

b)    Noted that the report provided assurance that effective processes were in place to protect population health.