Agenda item

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services on addressing health inequalities amongst City workers.

Members were informed that that there was ongoing exacerbation for workers concerning the conflict between essential work, isolation, no income or statutory pay. It was agreed that this once hidden worker group was more visible during the pandemic and concerns were raised that that some people within the category had a lack of GP access within the City. A Member suggested offering early and late hours access to such health advice centres.

Healthwatch noted that they were trying to access this group of people and would like to work with the City Corporation on a larger strategy for services to improve access to health care. The Chairman suggested a resolution go to the new BAME Working Party approved by the Policy & Resources Committee. 

A Member asked for clarity regarding the statement that “poor children thrive in poorer areas rather than richer ones”. Officers explained that the report found this to be the case in terms of the children living in poverty across the UK and that inequalities could be narrowed more effectively in the deprived areas.

In response to how the City Corporation could take this agenda forward, Members queried how businesses, whose staff (notably those working early and late hours) needed to have better access to healthcare, could be engaged to prevent inequality for City workers. Officers responded that the focusing on the hidden workforce was an important start in reducing inequalities but also felt that how they were treated when at work was important. Both the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and Public Health England Review on disparities from Covid-19 findings showed a higher proportion of infection amongst BAME and lower socio-economic groups. It was noted that the City Corporation were working in partnership with other groups and local businesses to produce guidance for businesses regarding infection prevention, control measures and risk assessments for staff. Officers confirmed that Business Healthy could be used to share this information.

It was noted that many businesses were operating with a skeleton staff and a Member queried if this limited worker’s access to healthcare where they work or at home. Officers confirmed that most people generally accessed healthcare via their local GP; however, it was noted that many people accessed support for emotional and wellbeing factors through work. The City Corporation were continuing with this business offer, including to those working at home and feeling isolated, ensuring workers have the right equipment, etc. This had received a good response and businesses were being encouraged to do more to support staff.  

The Chairman mentioned that the hospitality trade typically had long hours and few breaks and recommended that these business engage with Business Healthy.

RESOLVED - that Members:–

·         Note the report;

·         Where possible and appropriate, advocate for health inequalities among City

workers to be considered in recovery planning across the Square Mile, with a view to contributing to reducing them as a longer-term aim;

·         Support measures being taken by other teams and Departments across the

Corporation, to proactively address and reduce health inequalities among the

City’s worker population and especially among “hidden” workers in routine,

service and manual roles.