Agenda item

Matthew Stanton, Public Health Practitioner to provide a presentation on infant mortality in Hyndburn. 

Matthew Stanton, Public Health Practitioner, provided a presentation on infant mortality in Hyndburn. 

He referred to:

·      project work on infant mortality which had been centred in Preston from which keys facts had been established.

·      how infant mortality was recorded and calculated

·      and gave a definition of infant mortality (deaths of infants before their first birthday). 

·      data taken during different time periods of infant deaths

·      factors given consideration which related to neighbourhoods and communities. 

·      the calculation of infant deaths as a proportion of the number of live births in the same population during the same period of time (usually a year).

·      districts such as Burnley, Pendle, Blackburn and Chorley which had worse than average rates of death but pointed out that the numbers were so small that they had to be measured over a 3 year period.   

Data was provided on the number of infant deaths in Hyndburn over a 10 year period, the inclusion and effect of deprivation and the correlation between infant mortality and deprivation.

It was pointed out that two wards showed a significantly higher rate of infant mortality, Central ward and the Altham ward.  In respect of Central Ward there was a high rate of infant mortality but also a high birth rate in a high density ward.  In respect of the Altham ward it revealed there was a high rate of infant death but a low birth rate.  The Committee discussed reasons for the higher rate of infant deaths reflected in these wards than in other areas of Hyndburn but although reasons such standards of social housing could be relevant to explanations, there was no clear reason why these wards had a higher infant mortality rate than other wards in Hyndburn. 

Matt Stanton referred to the use of Mosaic groups to assist in providing factors towards an explanation for higher rates of infant mortality.  Modifiable factors included deaths of under 18 year olds and reasons why.  Studies showed that the cost of intervention work and for every pound spent saved in the long term.

He indicated that they used all opportunities to educate and reduce risk and these included campaigns such ‘Safer Sleep’ and campaigns to stop smoking.  Data on the ‘quit rate’ was provided.  East Lancashire External Genetics service had carried out a pilot scheme in Pendle to reach communities higher in risk and this had become a case study.  Councillor Ayub requested further information on the genetics service.  He referred to the standards of social housing and risk factors associated with this and a consequent aim to use regulation such as the selective landlord licence scheme to compel landlords to provide a standard of housing.

Members reflected their concern about the risk factors but acknowledged the action that had been taken through campaigning.  They referred to the importance of media campaigns and the forum being used to target those at highest risk.  It was suggested that social media would be the most appropriate forum to use in reaching those most at risk.  Councillor Higgins referred to previous concerns about the type of cot mattresses used in respect of material and the increased risk of death to infants. 

It was pointed out that resources were limited and that a pattern was emerging around housing and neighbourhoods.  He indicated that he was unaware of any information about cot mattresses but that work on preventing infant deaths including sleeping patterns and room temperature. 

Ben Caulfield requested that the Committee’s concerns were relayed back to the appropriate services.  He also advised that the Council were involved in information sharing around infant mortality.  He referred to a previous campaign successfully supported by the Council, the ‘Safe Sleeping Campaign,’ and proposed that the Council got involved in a further campaign of this type. 

The Head of Human Resources referred to how the Council had previously supported a campaign to prevent infant mortality and asked for further information on the effect of this.  Matt Stanton indicated that he would find out and report back. 

A member of the public suggested that the data should also include the percentage of ethnic minority and percentage of rented properties and that leaflets could be handed out with applications for housing benefit in order for the information to reach the most ‘at risk’ people. 

Councillor Harrison referred to the data provided at the presentation and indicated that this did not provided a clear picture of why infant deaths occurred as facts and figures did not seem to correlate’.  Councillor Loraine Cox asked if the way that children were delivered had been taken into account with factors and Councillor Glen Harrison suggested that there would need to be more investigation for facts to be correlated.

Matt Stanton indicated that he would produce data for the Springhill ward for the Committee to provide a greater background picture.

  Resolved                          (1)  That Lancashire County Council Public Health continue to engage with the Council on the prevention of infant mortality;

                                            (2)  That the Council takes a proactive approach to the prevention of infant mortality through raising awareness and the allocation of funding to support this;

                                            (3)  That Cabinet be requested to consider the introduction of a smoke free policy to all Council events;

                                            (4)  That the Council urges Lancashire County Council to continue to support and fund the Smoking Cessation services;  and,

                                            (5)  That the Communities and Wellbeing Committee consider future reviews of prevention of infant mortality on the receipt of further information from Lancashire County Council as requested during the meeting.