Report of the Director of Public Health

In June the Committee received a report on the development of the Manchester Test and Trace Service.  The Committee were also informed that every Local Authority area had to develop a COVID-19 Management Plan for their area by 30th June 2020.  The attached plan, called the Manchester COVID-19 Local Prevention and Response Plan, has now been published on the Council website.  The Committee will also receive a presentation that summarises the key components of the plan along with an update on the latest data and statistics.

The Committee considered a report and presentation of the Director of Public Health that detailed the Manchester COVID-19 Local Prevention and Response Plan that had been published on the Council’s website and had been endorsed by the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Members were advised that the plan was structured in line with national guidance and all other nine Local Authority areas in Greater Manchester had developed their own plans and had also contributed to the establishment of the Greater Manchester Integrated Contact Tracing Hub.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

·         Requesting the latest data on the R number for the North West;

·         Was there any improvement in the quality of data provided to identify and manage any emerging trends were they to occur;

·         Noting the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on BAME citizens and areas of socio-economic deprivation;

·         Noting the prevalence of BAME citizens in certain occupations, with specific reference to taxi drivers and the risk of infection this presented to them;

·         An assurance should be sought that any supplier the Council held contracts with were supplying appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) equipment for their staff and ensuring their working environments were COVID safe and compliant;

·         Whilst recognising the initial requirement to accommodate individuals experiencing street homelessness to protect them during the pandemic, it was important to acknowledge and support the hidden homeless;

·         Consideration needed to be given to including the specific needs of the older LGBT community within the plan;

·         Noting that for certain residents with health conditions it was difficult to adhere to COVID-19 guidance, such as observing social distancing rules;

·         What support was available to children who were asylum seekers; and

·         Despite the relaxation of lockdown measures it was important to emphasise that COVD-19 had not gone away and still presented a significant public health risk, especially as many people infected were asymptomatic.  

The Director of Public Health responded to Members by stating that he was confident that local arrangements to trace individuals who may be at risk of infection following a positive test were suitable, however stressed that do this effectively appropriate resources and capacity needed to be allocated to this function.

The Director of Public Health acknowledged the comments regarding BAME citizens and occupations and stated that whilst not currently mandatory, good practice was for all taxi passengers to wear a face mask. He stated that all taxi operators should be risk assessing their drivers and providing the appropriate PPE, and support was available for this. He further advised that the Head of Compliance, Enforcement and Community Safety was working with partners across Greater Manchester and the North West to ensure a consistent approach was taken by the taxi trade.

With reference to the older LGBT community, the Director of Public Health stated whilst this was not explicit within the plan, he reassured Members that a significant amount of work had been undertaken around that issue. He further reassured the Committee that work was also underway to support all people experiencing, or at threat of homelessness. He further stated that COVID-19 advice and guidance was available to all contract service providers.

The Director of Public Health acknowledged that for some individuals understanding and complying with COVID-19 guidance would be difficult, however the intention would never be to prosecute in those circumstances. He further described that care homes would seek to manage this in a compassionate and appropriate manner. 

The Director of Public Health reiterated the importance of continuing to comply with all of the Public Health advice and guidance regarding COVID-19 to prevent a second wave, particularly as we move out of summer and into the winter period and flu season.

The Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing informed the Committee that unaccompanied asylum seeking children would be considered as ‘Looked after Children’ arrangements. She described that discussions were ongoing with the providers of the emergency asylum accommodation to prevent evictions if an individual were to receive a favourable Home Office decision as to their status.

Decision

To note the report.