Minutes:
1. Mr Gibbens gave an oral update on the following issues:-
2. Ms Peachey then gave an oral update on the following issues:-
· Public Health Transition:
o Budget – there was previously no budget but now £300,000 has been allocated by the Department of Health
o Staff – a joint NHS/KCC staff away day was held to talk about what Public Health might look like in 18 months’ time. Input was very positive, and comments will help build plans to move the transition forward
o Public Health England – this now has its Chief Executive and senior staff team in place and will increase in importance from her on. Its key issues to look at are immunisation and screening, and via its involvement in the National Commissioning Board it can build on past success
o Public Health Emergency Planning
· Sexual Health Services – Developments in West Kent – a decision on this will be needed by April 2013. It’s a big area of work with a £12m budget with which to contract services.
· Media coverage of young people and alcohol issues – the use of drugs and alcohol by under-18s has recently had media coverage.
· Smoking in Pregnancy – a budget of £100,000 has been allocated for motivational work with pregnant women, as 80% of deaths from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) are due to mothers smoking during pregnancy.
3. Mr Gibbens, Ms Peachey and Mr Scott-Clark responded to comments and questions from Members and the following points were highlighted:-
a) a view was expressed that having a performance target for the number of people encouraged to give up smoking conflicts with the fact that some KCC staff pension funds are invested in tobacco companies;
b) surely those who want to quit smoking already have, and there are only the most committed left to persuade? Public Health research shows that 50% of smokers do want to give up but they often take several attempts to achieve it. There are strong links between deprivation and addiction of various kinds. Many young people still seem to view smoking as cool;
c) is a stricter alcohol ban in public places needed, to reduce the places where young people can drink? Different approaches will work in different locations, for example Gravesham have an alcohol-free town centre policy which seems to be working well;
d) would external consultants for campaign work be paid for by Public Health or the Families and Social Care budget? It would be covered by the Public Health budget;
e) Members challenged the assertion that no safe drinking is possible for under-18s. It is legal to drink wine in restaurants at 16, and parents can allow very tightly controlled alcohol consumption at home. Parents need to educate and inform teens so they understand and respect alcohol and its effects;
f) there followed a debate about the value of an educational approach to address under-age drinking. The 21 age limit works in the USA as it is strictly enforced, but identity cards are too easy to forge. Enforcement around the supply of alcohol, for example in pubs and clubs, is the only effective way to change behaviour in the UK; and
g) the KCC Select Committee on Alcohol Misuse, which produced its report in 2008, could be revisited.