Issue - meetings

Background:

This report presented the final report of the Review of Health Inequalities in Medway In-depth Task Group, which had been established by the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The focus of this review had been Health Inequalities across Medway wards and how to direct investment where it was most needed.

It was noted that the Task Group had met with a cross section of service managers, working for the Council and key stakeholders, to establish standards of working across Medway. A summary of the evidence was set out in Appendix 3 to the review document.

The Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee had recommended the review document and accompanying recommendations to Cabinet on 8 April 2013. The Health and Wellbeing Board had also commended the recommendations with some suggestions and comments on 22 April 2014. 

The main findings of the review were set out under a number of theme headings. These included:

• Targeted work to minimise the impact of wider determinants on health inequalities
• An investigation into inequity in access and outcomes at GP practices in Medway
• The development of alcohol, smoking and workplace health good practice
• A new strand within the Health and Wellbeing Boards engagement plan relating to barriers to the uptake of services
• The development of a framework to enable the application of proportionate universalism in a structured way
• The use of health equality audits in identifying and addressing health inequalities
• The use of health impact assessments at an early point in the planning of local services and service redesign
• The adoption of three key principles to assist the Council and partners to direct investment where it is most needed.

A Diversity Impact Assessment Screening form had been completed and was attached at Appendix 1 to the review document. This indicated that a full assessment was not necessary.