Issue - meetings

6.1          The Board considered a report on this year’s Director of Public Health (DPH) report on Work, Skills, and Health ahead of wider dissemination and an update on previous and future DPH reports.

6.2          The Board asked whether the increasing number of older people working beyond retirement age is a cause for concern due to the increased likelihood of it impacting their health. 

6.3          Darrell Gale said that one of the great health inequalities in the county is that some people in poorer communities do not reach retirement age without suffering serious health problems and die before they receive a pension, whilst some in wealthier areas of the county enjoy 10 or more years of healthy retirement. Given the number of old people in East Sussex, valuing their experience and integrating them into plans to develop a vibrant economy is very important. Utilising and encouraging older people’s entrepreneurship is particularly beneficial, as the economy is based on small and medium-sized enterprises. 

6.4          The Board asked whether public sector organisations should be encouraged to report their response to the DPH report.

6.5          Darrell Gale agreed it was a good idea and would follow it up with larger organisations such as those in the NHS. He added the report contains a brief summary of actions against recommendations in the last two reports, so responses from other organisations could be included in this section too.

6.6          The Board asked how the importance of volunteering to a person’s mental health could be promoted, particularly in rural areas where Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) are declining due to the aging population and the lack of replacement volunteers.

6.7          Darrell Gale agreed VCSE suffer from a lack of volunteers. Employers should look at the work life balance of their staff to make sure they have time to volunteer at a younger age and use their workplace skills in a voluntary setting. He agreed volunteering had a lot of health benefits and can help people looking for better or new employment by developing a wider set of skills. 

6.8          The Board asked whether the term Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) should be replaced with more granular details of particular ethnic groups.

6.9          Darrell Gale said he knew the label is problematic and far more inclusive terms are needed. There is a need to work with all groups to describe the similarities and difference between people of different social, ethnic and religious groups, as their backgrounds can affect their health outcomes, without it appearing tokenistic.

6.10       The Board asked whether East Sussex Wellbeing at Work Award is being rolled out to district and borough councils.

6.11       Becky Shaw, Chief Executive of ESCC, confirmed that ESCC has been promoting the Award with the boroughs and districts and other employers.

6.12       The Board RESOLVED to thank the Public Health team and note this year’s annual DPH report.