To note the contents of the report.

Jo Jeffries, Consultant in Public Health gave a verbal presentation on the above titled item. It was highlighted that as part of the commissioning arrangements for adults, the service had been commissioned to deliver a national programme under the s.718 specific duty to commission public health. The screening programme identified healthy people who have had an increased chance of developing an illness. General Practitioners offer testing and advice. The most prominent screenings as assessed and determined by the National Screening Committee were for breast, cervical and bowel cancers. Work on individuals with diabetes was underway and eye health was being monitored to try and reduce the risk of retinopathy. It was highlighted that immunisations reduced the number of transmissions which had seen better results and a decrease in the spread of illnesses. In Windsor and Maidenhead (latest data published as of 2017) there had been 78.8% breast screening uptake, 58.3% bowel screening, 73.5% uptake of cervical screening. It was noted that the uptake for certain screenings was affected by individual’s knowledge of the programmes and the benefits and it was also found that in areas of high deprivation there was relatively lower uptake of screenings.

Members were told that in some cases there was a reduced uptake as the screenings were seen as less palatable and could be off-putting to some individuals. It was reported that there was a national reduction in the trend for younger women and the uptake of cervical cancer and that work was being carried out which focussed on the positive messaging of screening. A new provider had been commissioned for diabetic eye screening and it was noted that this would be taking place across several locations. AAA screening was less than the national average and emphasis upon giving advice earlier to men to target this issue of reduced uptake. Shingles vaccine was at 46.1% uptake (48.3% national uptake) and it was highlighted that there were challenges nationally to lower the eligible age for the vaccine and to ensure that there was clearer and simpler information available regarding eligibility. Members were told that the uptake for flu vaccine for 2017 was higher than the previous year and was reported as 70.9% (72% national average). It was noted that there was work to be done with clients who had long standing illnesses to ensure that sign posting was done at specialist clinics where these patients received care as opposed to the traditional GP signposting.

There were plans for new bowel cancer testing (FIT testing) which would be more sensitive to the needs of the individual and would be rolled out nationally. Scope testing would be piloted at Heatherwood Hospital and the contract for diabetic eye screening had been awarded to Health Intelligence to carry out. Positive feedback had been received regarding the new CCG website. Plans to work systemically with the ICS to increase uptake across the borough were underway. Councillor Lenton queried whether there was an upper limit on age for vaccinations and it was confirmed that there was no upper limit but that it was important for those most at risk due to vulnerability to receive vaccinations. Councillor Diment queried what work was being carried out to increase the uptake of the flu and shingle vaccine and it was noted that consultative work was needed to hear the views and how to best disseminate information to the community. Vernon Nosal, highlighted that he was the co-chair of the Ageing Well Board and that part of the work of the Board was to increase awareness of flu/shingles as part of their identified work for the year. Members discussed whether there had been an increased prevalence with shingles and it was noted that there was limited certainty regarding this, but that education regarding hygiene and health issues had reduced circulation of chicken pox. Members asked why the shingle vaccination was offered to those at 70 years or over and it was stated that prevalence had been widely looked at along with the worst outcomes and it was found that this age bracket were most affected. Councillor Lenton highlighted that the Lions Club had run events to highlight awareness surrounding prostate cancer with a very high turnout and that awareness of screening tests could be promoted at events like this.