Agenda item

The Joint Director of Public Health, South Tees will be in attendance to present an overview of Public Health Services.

An overview presentation was delivered by the Joint Director of Public Health, South Tees.

The presentation provided an overview of Public Health priorities for 2026/27 and the wider role of Public Health South Tees in improving population health outcomes and reducing health inequalities.

Members were informed of the key priority areas for 2026/27, including creating healthy environments, giving children and young people the best start in life, ill‑health prevention, mental health and emotional wellbeing, health protection, and supporting vulnerable people and inclusion health. The presentation highlighted a strong focus on prevention, early intervention, and tackling the wider determinants of health.

The Joint Director outlined a range of programmes and projects underway, including work on healthy weight, physical activity, smoking cessation, alcohol harm reduction, sexual health, immunisation uptake, and cancer screening. Members were advised that targeted and place‑based approaches were being used to address inequalities, with particular focus on deprived communities and those with multiple vulnerabilities.

Members also received an update on “Start Well” priorities, including breastfeeding support, infant feeding, school readiness, and targeted interventions to support children and families. Work to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing across all ages was also highlighted, alongside action to reduce suicide risk and improve early access to support.

The presentation noted ongoing work in relation to health protection, including infectious disease preparedness, sexual health strategy development, and targeted action on HIV and syphilis. It was also reported that Public Health continued to work closely with partners across the system, including the NHS, local authorities, and the voluntary and community sector.

During discussion, Members sought clarification on breastfeeding rates in Middlesbrough. It was reported that breastfeeding rates had improved compared to previous years, with progress also noted in maternal diabetes, smoking in pregnancy, and breastfeeding outcomes.

Members queried the prevalence of syphilis during the third trimester of pregnancy and the relationship with other sexually transmitted infections. It was acknowledged that increased testing, including linked testing for conditions such as chlamydia, had supported improved identification, and that targeted and age‑appropriate testing approaches were being progressed.

Members also raised concerns regarding smoking in hospital settings and asked about the identification and promotion of stop smoking services within hospitals. It was reported that work was ongoing to strengthen smokefree approaches and ensure that patients were supported to access stop smoking services during hospital stays.

Members queried how Public Health performance was monitored and how progress against priorities was tracked, noting that performance information was often reported annually through the Director of Public Health Annual Report. The Joint Director advised that further performance updates could be scheduled for a future meeting, should the Panel wish to include this within its work programme.

Members raised questions regarding vaccination uptake levels and the challenges associated with improving coverage in some communities. It was reported that work was underway to address behavioural and communication barriers, including tailoring engagement approaches to improve health literacy. Members were advised that targeted work had been undertaken with specific communities, including the Romanian community where uptake had been lower, and that this had resulted in improved vaccination uptake.

The Joint Director of Public Health, South Tees advised that the service was implementing the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Panel’s review, Healthy Placemaking with a Focus on Childhood Obesity, and that agreed actions had been incorporated into service activity.

AGREED that the presentation be noted.