2024 has been described as “another year of significant progress and improvement” by The Health Improvement Commission in its latest Annual Report.
It successfully secured continued States funding for the Bailiwick Social Prescribing programme, which allows it to continue beyond its pilot phase, and they raised an additional £132,574 from businesses, charities, and grant-givers to support its work.
Other highlights from HIC include hosting the ‘Prevention and Partnership for a healthier future’ conference, helping Hautes Capelles school establish a food focussed, pupil-led group, and seeing the launch of an attempt to map the island’s local food system.
The organisation’s work goes much deeper than that though, touching on islanders’ activity levels, substance use and abuse, and weight management.
Weighing up the annual report
The report itself looks at HIC’s work from the past 12 months, by examining its five workstreams. Those are: Be Active, Eat Well, Healthier Weight, Substance Use, and Bailiwick Social Prescribing.
Starting with activity levels, HIC noted that a survey found 77.7% of respondents had used active transport methods in the last year, which is 20.8% higher than reported in England (56.9%).
The ‘Breeze Guernsey’ programme of free bike rides for women involved 104 riders, and a survey from HIC in May this year found that 60% of primary school children reportedly walk or cycle to school, the highest level since twice-yearly monitoring began in 2020.
The report does note that fewer women than men report cycling for travel.
For the ‘Eat Well’ initiatives, a survey of children’s lunchboxes showed significant improvement from 2018, with 99% of lunchboxes containing fruit, which is up from 85%, and 50% of lunchboxes containing vegetables, up from 32%.
Guernsey’s students are also getting more of their five a day, after the pupil-led ‘Focus On Our Diets’ (FOOD) team at Hautes Capelles Primary School created a new school-wide snack policy. It’s resulted in every child now eating nearly 200 portions of fruit and vegetables at school, each year.
There’s still more work to be done when it comes to making sure Guernsey’s school age children get the right nutrition though, as the report states “switching to wholegrain carbohydrates remains a challenge”, and adds that whilst processed meat has dropped from 86% to 82% as a part of lunchboxes that had a source of protein, it still remains a common feature, as do sugary snacks.
HIC also states there is currently a high demand for the HENRY programme (Healthy Exercise and Nutrition in the Really Young), but the number of groups is has “limited staff capacity”.
For those seeking the help of HIC to become a healthier weight, the Oviva Tier 2 digital weight management service was launched in December last year, with a capacity to support approximately 310 people.
However, the Commission staff hold their hands up and say there are issues in this area due to a continued staff shortage. That meant the pausing of the Adult Weight Management Service in February.
They also confirmed the ‘Counterweight Plus’ programme has had small numbers in 2024 due to a limited capacity.
On the topic of substance abuse, HIC heaps praise on the local charity Independence, which it said had an impactful year whilst working with 94 people in its counselling service and 24 new clients in the Criminal Justice Substance Service.
The report notes that the majority of those supported showed meaningful change in their alcohol risk category and psychological functioning.
HIC also celebrated the conclusion of the Bailiwick Social Prescribing pilot, which proved successful and is now a permanent, States-funded service. The positive results of the pilot have secured its future, and plans are in place to expand the team and identify new referral routes to meet growing demand.
It’s interesting to note that there are also more people paying attention to the HIC, as over the last 12 months the Commission’s social media followers increased by 15%, with over 200,000 engagements online, whilst its website also attracted over 17,300 page views, including 4,600 new visitors.
Their messaging has gone further too, with creative treatments such as the films featuring local people who have successfully quit smoking, continuing to be shown in public places like GP surgeries and Beau Sejour.
Messages from the HIC
According to Mike Bane, the Commission’s Chair, the annual report shows the continued success and impact of their work, giving credit to the team, and to the support from the States of Guernsey, private sector, and charities.
Mr Bane said: “This year’s report reflects the continued achievements and impact of the Commission’s work. I would like to thank my fellow directors for their insight and engagement and our team for their commitment to delivering high-quality, community-based health improvement actions.”
He continued: “We are also very appreciative of the support we receive from the States of Guernsey, the private sector, and charitable organisations—partnerships that are essential to driving sustainable health improvement across our islands.”
Whilst Dr Simon Sebire, the Chief Executive, focussed on the wide-ranging work of the Commission, and noted the growing recognition of how important prevention is.
“Our 2024 report highlights the breadth and depth of the Commission’s work—from preventing ill health to supporting people living with chronic conditions. It is encouraging to see growing recognition, both publicly and politically, of the vital role that prevention plays in improving health and economic outcomes.”
Dr Sebire concluded: “I remain very grateful to the Commission team and to the many individuals and organisations who collaborate with us to drive meaningful, lasting change.”