Agenda item

This report presents the Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy 2021-24 for the Board’s consideration and endorsement. The Board is also asked to nominate a Sexual and Reproductive Health Champion.

Susan Otti, Assistant Director of Public Health and Akeem Ogunyemi, Public Health Commissioner, provided a presentation on Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy 2021-24 and highlighted the key points covered in the agenda pack. Susan Otiti identified why there was a need for an updated strategy, especially in light of the pandemic. It was noted that one of the positives that had come out of the previous strategy had been a large reduction in the number of teenage pregnancies. It was highlighted that there was a need for a universal and targeted element, focusing on prevention and reducing health and inequalities across the borough.

It was noted that prior to 2013 all commissioning of sexual health had been done by the NHS, with it then coming under the responsibility of the Local Authorities in 2014, apart from abortion services which were still provided by the NHS. Since 2014 there had been a move from a treatment services approach to a focus on prevention and partnership working. The presentation detailed a menu of services available for residents.

The presentation highlighted the current assets and services around sexual and reproductive health, which had grown since 2014 and provided a universal and targeted offer in tune with different providers. It was important that the offer was inclusive and served the borough’s diverse community, particularly in areas of higher need. The service had built on what worked, through a targeted multi agency approach. It was noted that the strategy was embedded within the aims and values of Haringey’s ambitious 5-year Borough Plan and was informed by regional and national policy and guidance. The strategy also set out 4 priority areas for 2021-2024, with a suite of guiding principles. A draft action plan for 2021-2022 had been produced, as set out in the papers. The presentation also focused on how the impacts of the strategy would be measured.

The following questions were raised:

·                Charlotte Pomery, Assistant Director for Commissioning, referred to the previously raised issue of violence against women and girls and questioned how the strategy could be used to help address this issue. In response, Susan Otiti stated that a priority of the strategy was the education and communication workstreams, which promoted safe relationships, including working with schools and clinical services. Akeem Ogunyemi added that the team were already doing some work around training in this area, in order to ensure that key workers were also trained in this area.

·                Councillor Blake referred to the teenage pregnancy strategy, which had been a national strategy and achieved great progress in this area. He questioned whether there was a national strategy for sexual health. It was explained that the Department of Health do publicise a national strategy for sexual health, however the most recent strategy had been delayed due to the pandemic and was pending.

·                Richard Gourlay, North Middlesex University Hospital Trust, referred to the HIV service provided at the North Middlesex Hospital and questioned how integrated this service was across the borough. Akheem Ogunyemi explained that the service worked closely with outreach sex health providers, working with newly diagnosed pregnant woman, alongside the North Middlesex Hospital. Susan Otiti added that the service provided an integrated pathway for diagnosis, enabling them to get into the services provided at North Middlesex Hospital.

·                Beverley Tarka, Director of Adults and Health, referred to a post Covid future and questioned whether the strategy would be futureproof. In response, it was explained that the commissioned service had learnt from the experiences they had gone through during the pandemic, focusing on communications, what was available and providing flexibility throughout the services provided. The digital offer was also being looked into and built upon, as a way of investing in the future, across London.  

·                Jonathan Garner, Whittington Trust Director of Strategy, referred to the school nurses service provided by the Whittington Trust and wished to check whether this service was working. In response, it was confirmed that the school nurses provision was an integral part of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy.

The Chair referred to the second recommendation and requested that if any member was interested in the role to let her know and she would follow this up if no nominations were received.

RESOLVED

1.      To endorse the Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy, attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

2.      To nominate a Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy Champion. The Champion would be a Health and Wellbeing Board member, with a particular interest in the topic and in reducing health inequalities particularly for young people, who would help raise the profile of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy and support the vision and deliverables of the strategy.