To consider the 2023/2024 update report of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA).

The Board received a presentation from the Public Health Specialist, Torbay Council, who explained that the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) was an assessment of the current and future health and social care needs of the local community.  The JSNA was divided into nineteen subject areas which was a change from previous years.

The 2021 census showed that the population who were over 65 years of age had increased by 21% since 2011.  This meant that a quarter of the population of Torbay are over 65 years of age.

The Board were informed that:

·         Torbay is the most deprived local authority area in the South West and is fiftieth from bottom for EPC Certificates at Grade C or better out of 331 local authorities;

·         The average full time salary in Torbay was significantly lower than the rest of the South West and England so that the economy is ranked as relatively weak;

·         There was consistently higher rates of children in care and with special educational needs, but it was positive news that there had been a gradual fall in the rates of children in care since 2019;

·         In terms of Adult Social Care, Torbay has seen a steady increase, compared to the rest of England, in the rates of long-term support for those with a primary support reason of mental health compared to a small decrease across England;

·         In relation to unpaid carers, the 2021 census showed around 14,900 unpaid carers in Torbay which is significantly higher than for the South West and England;

·         It was also acknowledged that Torbay has one of the highest suicide rates in England but there has been a declining trend over the last few years.  Hospital admission rates for females were much higher than for males in terms of self harm and it was recognised that this might not be a true reflection as only a small number of individuals will be reflected in hospital admission numbers;

·         There continues to be high rates of hospital admissions related to alcohol which is generally double the rate for males as opposed to females, but in terms of under 18’s that trend is reversed;

·         It was found that one in six Torbay residents smoke and the rates were highest for those individuals who have never worked or were long term unemployed;

·         Six out of ten adults in Torbay self reported as overweight and one in four reception children were classified as overweight and there was an increase in that trend;

·         There were also high rates of hospital dental extractions in Torbay due to tooth decay although the rates had fallen since 2018/19 but were significantly higher in deprived areas of Torbay.  It was acknowledged that the overall decrease could be due to the effect of Covid.

The Board welcomed the fact that the data reflected some key areas in which downward trends were becoming apparent and recognised the continuing work around children, suicide prevention and self harm for instance which included in depth work around understanding patterns of behaviour and the response to mental health services.

The Board recognised that attendance duties in relation to persistent absences for child protection have now reverted back to local authorities rather than resting with schools.  This meant that the local authority had greater oversight but that a partnership approach to levels of non attendance were still key in reducing the levels.  Torbay continued to be an outlier for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) and the continuing work with the Safety Valve Intervention Programme meant that there had been a reduction year on year since 2014 so that there were less EHCP plans this year than any other year.

The Board acknowledged that the potential change in primary care provision in Torbay could have a significant impact on smoking cessation, for example and that GP’s within the Torbay area were due to meet to discuss how access to mental health services could be improved within Torbay.

By consensus the Board resolved:

That the Torbay Joint Strategic Needs Assessment 2023/24 be noted.