Previous JSNA products - Staffordshire Observatory

Contents

Overall public health summary

Key Issues: Wider determinants; Excess weight; Mental health; Alcohol misuse.

Across the life course there are factors which influence health and wellbeing of people and the need for services. Some of these are personal modifiable risk factors such as smoking, alcohol, obesity, exercise and a healthy diet. Others are wider determinants, including access to employment. 

Key headlines:

  • Reducing healthy life expectancy for men & women - “Long COVID” may contribute to more time spent in ill health.
  • Higher than average employment and one of the lowest unemployment rates (3.6%). Residents also reported the local economy a key concern for how Staffordshire recovers. 
  • Two thirds of adults are overweight or obese - higher than national and the third highest among similar local authorities. High prevalence of obesity related conditions and hospital admissions on an upward trend. Diabetes levels are also higher than national and increasing.
  • Mental health (adults) remains a challenge - high and increasing levels of GP recorded depression, but lower levels of GP recorded severe mental illness. Latest data also shows an increase in the rate of suicides (2018-20 – 12.2 per 100,000).
  • In a local survey residents reported changes to their mental health and wellbeing; feelings of isolation, depression, loneliness & anxiety.
  • Higher than average alcohol consumption and highest alcohol related admissions rate amongst similar authorities and rising; in contrast to a reducing national trend. 

To view the latest Data Update on this topic see the data update page.

Key Issues: Crime, Domestic abuse, Housing & fuel poverty.

Feeling safe and secure is essential to wellbeing. Priorities around community safety raised by local people include reducing and supporting victim-based crime, tackling all aspects of domestic abuse, anti-social behaviour, alcohol and drugs and serious organised crime. Alongside this, wider determinants such as the level of fuel poverty and homelessness in Staffordshire give an indication on how quality of life for residents in Staffordshire can be improved.

Overview of key trends:

Key headlines:

  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, recorded crime reduced by 15% locally, with rates well below national and regional levels.
  • Although overall crime has decreased, domestic abuse related crime remains static (+2%).
  • Domestic abuse referrals to providers has increased (+25%) significantly through the pandemic. Demand for mental health support is high, with just over half receiving this.
  • Overall rates of anti-social behaviour are just below national, with more than a third of all ASB (37%) related to COVID-19 measures.
  • Fuel poverty increased and higher than national, with Staffordshire Warmer Homes Fund supporting over 250 homes by end of June 2021.
  • Reduced number of households homeless/at risk of becoming homeless, however higher than average (50%) proportion in priority need.
  • Local surveys highlight other important aspects to living in Staffordshire; fostering community spirit experienced during the pandemic is important to many, as well as valuing the local environment and Staffordshire’s green spaces.

 To view the latest Data Update on this topic see the data update page.

Key Issues: Income; Excess winter deaths; Dementia; Social care demand. 

Many of the factors that cause people to age differently can be influenced by interventions based on preventative healthcare, lifestyle choices and exercise. In line with national trends, elderly population growth is increasing at a rate greater than the working age population, and these trends will lead to significant demands on public services.

Overview of key trends:

Key headlines:

  • Elderly population (age 85+) rising by 42% in the next 10 years (10,200).
  • Excess winter deaths fell and similar to national and peers, although two districts (Staffordshire Moorlands & East Staffordshire) are in the 10 worst performing authorities in the West Midlands.
  • Small reduction in dementia diagnosis rates and similar to national - by 2030 prevalence is set to increase by 3,500 people.
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for adult social care increased; specific impact includes fewer long-term service users and increasing home care demand above Pre-COVID levels.
  • Local surveys reported key impacts on health and wellbeing, with respondents most worried about vulnerable family and loneliness. Those with disabilities or limiting illness and those in older age groups were most likely to have needed and received support during the pandemic. 

To view the latest Data Update on this topic see our data update page.

Key Issues: End of life care

People approaching the last phase of life experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms.  To manage these issues effectively requires integrated and multidisciplinary working between teams and across sectors regardless of whether the person is in their home, in hospital, a care home, or hospice.

Overview of key trends:

Key headlines:

  • Older people now spend more time in poor health before they die, with Staffordshire’s growing older population projected to rise in the next 10 years.
  • End of life care is a key issue for Staffordshire; around 2 in 5 deaths occurred at home and 19% occurred in care homes. This continues to be worse than national for the last five years.
  • Higher than average deaths in hospital also mirror increasing trends in hospital admissions seen elsewhere in the system.
  • Planning for the end of life is therefore increasingly important for individuals, their families, carers and the health & care services that support them.

Key Issues: Education, Mental health; Excess weight; Social care & SEND demand.  

Children's education and development of skills are important for their own wellbeing and for the area as a whole. Learning ensures that children develop the knowledge and understanding, skills, capabilities and attributes that they need for mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing now and in the future. Children with poorer mental health are more likely to have lower educational attainment, and childhood obesity can lead to a range of mental health problems, including increased anxiety, depression and low-self-esteem.

Overview of Key Trends:

Key headlines:

  • KS4 education attainment remains a key concern for Staffordshire, with the effects of inequalities on attainment and absence levels widening.
  • Permanent exclusions (2019/20) remains a key issue - higher than national and second worst amongst similar authorities for all schools.
  • Local survey reported mental health as a top concern among younger people. Mental health referrals (age 0-18) have increased and above pre-pandemic levels, and since 2017 admissions rates for intentional self-harm in young people have risen.
  • Excess weight remains a challenge - 1 in 4 reception children are overweight or obese; worse than national and the second highest of similar authorities. However, the picture does improve by year 6. 
  • 1 in 3 children are active for less than 30 minutes a day, higher than national.
  • Growing children’ social care demand with Children in our Care and SEND rates increasing and growing faster than national. Mental health remains a top issue cited in assessments.

Community support map

Community assets overview

To help you find support in your community the following resources and assets are available within your area, which signpost to community solutions. 

Digital resources:

Community assets:

  • Community Help Points: Libraries/VCSE organisations will help signpost people to activities in the community.
  • VCSE Strategic Capacity Building Partnership: Support a wide range of community groups and charities to grow and thrive, with Support Staffordshire promoting volunteering opportunities.
  • SCVYS  
  • Support Staffordshire
  • Social Prescribers: Operate from GP Surgeries and provide signposting and community links.
  • Libraries: Regular activities/events for children and adults such as Bounce and Rhyme, Knit and Natter, Tots Time/Storytime and Reading Group.
  • Children’s Centres: offer early learning activities and family support and health clinics such as midwifery and health visitors.
  • Community Centres and Village Halls: in all communities. 

Staffordshire's strengths and assets

Much Innovation has taken place across the county to address the needs of our population:

  • Staffordshire COVID-19 response continually been flagged as best practice.
  • Supportive Communities Public health led programme is a community-led approach to prevention, giving residents the information and tools to live healthier lives, and stay independent for longer.
  • Our Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Strategic Capacity Building Partnership is working with our communities to build capacity in the VCSE sector and promote social action to help deliver our priorities, including supportive communities, community help points, Holiday Activities and Food Programme and earliest help, activities and engagement with young people (#TheBigAsk survey).
  • Whole System Children’s Transformation approach - to improve outcomes for children, including the adoption of a strengths-based culture and practice. This will lead to the first example of integrated education and social care place-based teams in the country.
  • Innovation and nationally recognising initiatives to support children and families, including Hungry Little Minds, Family Hubs.
  • Earned Autonomy Status with Supporting Families Programme (BRFC) has meant Staffordshire has been able to work with partners to accelerate the way we deliver Early Help in Staffordshire. This is having a positive impact for families and we are overachieving on targets.
  • Leading the way in dementia care, with two 'Centres of Excellence' in the county that have built to the University of Stirling's 'gold' standard for dementia care. 

Positive outcomes

This section highlights positive outcomes for residents in Staffordshire.

  • 3 in 4 children are classed as ‘school ready’ at the age of 5, placing Staffordshire joint top among its statistical neighbours (Note: data not collected in 2020)
  • Teenage conception rates have decreased by 25% in the last three years.
  • Lowest level of young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs) amongst our statistical neighbours.
  • Decrease in smoking prevalence in adults of nearly 3% since 2012. Smoking related deaths also fallen by 13% in last four years and now better than national.
  • Death rates of under-75’s relating to cardiovascular (45% decrease), cancer (22% decrease) and respiratory diseases have reduced over the last fifteen years.
  • Rate of people aged 65+ admitted to long-term residential or nursing homes has fallen between 2014/15 (642 per 100,000) and 2019/20 (597 per 100,000), and remains similar to the national average.  Almost 90% of admissions were for people aged 75+.
  • Following a 10-15% fall in childhood immunisation uptake at the start of the pandemic, infection control and other COVID measures in GP practices have quickly restored uptake to pre COVID levels.

Targeting need in Staffordshire

The data has highlighted examples of inequalities across Staffordshire, with those in more deprived areas consistently experiencing poorer outcomes. Efforts should be targeted towards those who experience the greatest levels of inequality and who demonstrate the highest levels of vulnerability. 

Geographical hotspots – matrix

Wards were assessed based on how they compared with England or Staffordshire for each of the indicators. Wards that performed worse than average:

  • for up to two of the indicators (low need), there were a total of 106 wards.
  • for three to four of the indicators (medium need), there were a total of 34 wards.
  • for five or more indicators (high need), there were a total of 24 wards.

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Geographical hotspots - ward map

  • A map has been developed which identifies those wards which perform worst across the indicators chosen.
  • Wards identified with highest need were focussed mainly in urban areas of Burton, Newcastle, Cannock, Tamworth and Stafford.
  • Opportunity as part of strengths-based working to utilise community assets in supporting some of Staffordshire’s ‘at risk’ residents and families.
  • Consideration will be given to mapping community assets alongside areas of greatest need. 

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Key issues: Infant Mortality, Early Years Education

Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. Good parenting and high-quality early learning provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities as they grow up. (Source: Early Years Foundation Service (EYFS), 2017).

Overview of key trends: 

Key headlines:

  • Infant mortality rates have reduced in last 2 years, and now closer to national. Despite improvements, Staffordshire still has the highest rate amongst similar authorities. 
  • Smoking in pregnancy and low breastfeeding levels are key infant mortality risk factors.
  • Strong early years educational performance (no 2020 comparator), outperforming national and similar authorities.
  • Rising number eligible for Free School Meals suggesting more children living in poorer households, with over 4,800 pupils becoming eligible since the first COVID-19 lockdown.
  • Qualitative insights report a lasting impact on Staffordshire’s children as a result of the pandemic; particularly missed development and learning of under 5s. 

To view the latest Data Update on this topic see the data update page.