View this email in your browser.

Update from Jonathan O'Sullivan, our Director for Public Health

Hello. It’s been a while since a Director took over Linzi’s Blog. I’m doing the honours this time around, as there’s plenty going on in the world of public health to tell you about! 

I have been in this role since October 2020, and was previously deputy director of public health. I've also been very involved in work around sexual health during my career, and I still lead the London Sexual Health Programme.

You may recognise me from the EPIC Staff Awards earlier in the year, which I was delighted to host.   This weekend, I was much more casually dressed, as I put on my running shoes and went for a run along the Thames – something I like to do to keep active in my spare time!

So, what’s happening in Public Health?

Since 2013, Islington and Camden have shared the Public Health department, which has worked well and has had many successes, most recently in leading on the joined-up response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and recovery.

But the pandemic has also shown the importance of strong and visible place-based responses and approaches, and this week, we're starting a consultation process around a de-merger proposal. We'll keep you updated. 

In my last blog take-over in December 2021, the focus was on the wave of Omicron (Covid-19) we were anticipating. It is still with us, having shifted through several new variants, but I’m pleased we are in a much better position, 11 months on.

Taking measures to stay safe, of course, should still be part of our normal, daily lives – especially as the weather gets colder and we continue to look out for colleagues and others we have contact with, who are more at risk of serious illness from Covid-19.

In particular, vaccinations remain highly effective at preventing more serious illness.

Around half of our workforce are aged 50 or over. Add to that colleagues who are in health and social care roles, are in (or live with someone in) a clinical risk group or are pregnant, and that’s a lot of people working for Islington Council who can get the Covid Autumn Booster. So, please get yours if you're eligible. And if you haven’t had your first or second jab, there is no better time – head over to the NHS National Booking System. People who are at a higher risk from coronavirus are also more at risk of problems from flu, and research shows that getting both infections at the same time is more likely to make anyone seriously ill. We’re expecting a real resurgence of flu this winter. So, in Public Health, we’re working closely with partners to encourage as many eligible people as possible in our communities to get vaccinated.

All staff can get the flu jab for free

What else do we need to think about this winter to stay well?  

It's tempting to hibernate and stay indoors, but my main bit of advice is to stay active, as regular physical activity really helps keep you well. It doesn’t need to cost much – for example, if you go for a brisk walk or jog in your lunch break. We help promote free and low-cost classes to residents, and I’d encourage you to look out for ones local to where you live, too.

Your mental health and wellbeing 

Staying well isn’t just about looking after our physical health, and I’m proud that staff health and wellbeing is such a huge priority for us as an organisation and as a leadership team.   There are sessions and activities happening most weeks for you to get involved in, from online workshops to in-person interactive fitness sessions. If there’s one thing you do today as a result of reading my blog, please take time to think about your own wellbeing and check out our health and wellbeing offer:

Our achievements in challenging health and wellbeing inequality – and more to come!

The council's innovative work with partners is making headlines

Research shows that young Black men and boys are at significantly higher risk of mental health conditions. Just last week, we launched an innovative new Young Black Men and Mental Health programme, led by colleagues in Fairer Together, to challenge and address the inequalities, disadvantage and discrimination that drive the vulnerability to these conditions, and to improve personal mental health, aspirations and opportunities. It is already making headlines!

This article in The Guardian, published over the weekend, includes a short video and candid words from Black barbers and customers. It profiles training the council provides to Black barbers, as part of our programme, to help them to speak with customers about mental health, recognise when they might be struggling, and signpost customers towards professional support.

Community testing for diabetes

We’ve organised events at community venues for local people to have their blood pressure, BMI and blood sugar levels checked to see if they are at risk for Type 2 diabetes. Forty-one people attended our most recent event, and 31 of them (that’s 75%) were referred to the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.   People from certain ethnic backgrounds, including African Caribbean, Black African and South Asian have a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and all of those screened at the recent event were from Black Caribbean or other Black ethnic groups. So, I’m really pleased with how well we reached some of the people that most need these checks and support.   We’re planning more of these events, and you can contact Programme Manager Dana Hayes for information.

Polio boosters

Traces of polio were found in London’s waterways, and our work with NHS colleagues to encourage parents with children aged one to nine to get them a polio booster, and to book routine polio vaccines, is going well. 

And finally...

A huge thank you to everyone in the Public Health directorate and beyond, and with partners and communities across Islington, as we collaborate to address health inequalities, keep people safe and create an equal future.

• If you have any queries about, or would like to get more involved in, any of our Public Health initiatives, please contact us at CIPHAdmin@islington.gov.uk
• For the many of you who deal with residents day in day out, you'll know that conversations can go in all sorts of directions. If you’re speaking to someone who you think could do with some support to stay safe and well this winter, please put them in touch with local services, which you can see on our website in our Winter Wellness section. 
• And of course, please keep looking after yourself and each other, as you always do.