Agenda item

A presentation by the Public Health England London Health Protection Team.

The Board received a presentation from Dr Deborah Turbitt regarding Public Health Protection. The presentation addressed communicable disease and environmental hazards in the City, monitoring both residents and workers in the City. It was noted that the City generally had a low disease rate, but the following were present in the City:- food-borne illnesses, measles and scarlet fever.

Following the presentation, a number of queries were raised by members of the Board.

In respect of Measles and how those individuals who did not receive the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine as children could be vaccinated in order to prevent outbreak, it was suggested that, amongst other solutions, vaccinations could be offered to those entering university or graduate studies.

In respect of Tuberculosis (TB) it was suggested that, due to supply restrictions, only some boroughs had been offering TB vaccinations, which meant that the disease could potentially spread across boroughs. However, Dr Turbitt stated that the supply issue had now been resolved and all boroughs should be vaccinating against TB.

With reference to testing laboratories, some concern was expressed that there was no longer a 24-hour laboratory service in London. Dr Turbitt advised that many hospitals in London now had their own testing facilities and where samples were sent outside of London (i.e. to Birmingham or Cambridge) there continued to be an efficient service with only a 2-hour delay in returning results due to travel time. In light of the comments made by some Members, it was agreed that a detailed report about the City’s position in respect of public health laboratories and vaccinations should be submitted to the Board’s next meeting.

Following a query about how food hygiene could be improved in the City in order to reduce food-born illness, it was noted that the City venues were largely well-rated for hygiene.  However, with a high number of catered venues in the City, it was important to have a cross-borough dialogue about contractors, to visit premises and establish what food hygiene practices were in place to reduce the risk of food poisoning.  Those present were advised that the following food hygiene rating app could be accessed by consumers to check restaurant ratings: https://www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk/

RESOLVED – That:

(i)            the presentation and the details presented in respect of Public Health Protection be noted; and

(ii)           a detailed report about the City’s position in respect of public health laboratories and vaccinations be submitted to the Board’s next meeting.