The night-time economy can have major impacts on the health and well-being of individuals. A framework for managing a safe and prosperous night-time economy aids the coordinated approach to develop sustainable, healthy and safe night-time economies. This case study outlines the approach of a prospective Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to redevelop an existing reactive framework for managing the night-time economy in Wales. Inclusion of a range of stakeholders in the process enabled the reformulation of realistic proactive objectives which account for both health and well-being. This article highlights the benefits of HIA and can be used to inform future policy developments.

In the UK, demand for the police has changed, with the majority of calls now vulnerability-related. Police safeguarding notifications (N=3,466) over a one-year period for a local authority in Wales were matched to social care records. Over half (57.5%) of notifications were referred to social services and only 4.8% received social service input (e.g. social worker intervention). Over a third of individuals had repeat notifications in the study year. Findings evidence high levels of police-identified vulnerability and an imbalance in vulnerability-related risk thresholds across agencies. Furthermore, some individuals require more appropriate action to mitigate the risk of future safeguarding notifications.

Preventing and mitigating the life-long harms associated with childhood adversity is a clear international priority. Many organisations are striving for long-term, sustainable solutions to improve the wellbeing of populations. As International trends for crime decline and demand related to vulnerability (i.e. child maltreatment and domestic violence) increases, it is essential that the police respond using an early intervention approach to break intergenerational cycles of violence.The research aimed to understand the current system for the response to vulnerability by a police force in Wales, UK. Objectives included understanding police perceptions on their ability to respond to vulnerability and identifying the current protocols for the management of vulnerability by the police and associated agencies.In October 2016 – January 2017, mixed methods research was conducted with a police force in Wales. Over 370 hours of operational policing was observed, 27 interviews and seven focus groups were conducted with police staff. Police safeguarding referral data for a 12 month period was also analysed to ascertain the scale of vulnerability.The police encounter high levels of vulnerability related demand, with over 60 000 safeguarding referrals submitted in a 12 month period. Staff held diverse levels of understanding on vulnerability and the effects of childhood adversity or trauma. A varied capacity and opportunity to assess and respond to vulnerability was also reported. Challenges included cross-organisational working, highlighting the need for a shared understanding across services.Traditional policing methods, training and systems need to adopt to this scale and type of demand. A range of recommendations have been developed to ensure policing can be more effective in preventing problems before they escalate. Policy implications include how police are trained, ensuring they respond to vulnerable individuals in a trauma-informed way. Implications of the findings for partnership working will be examined.

Partner notification revealed a relatively young, well-educated HIV network with high-risk behaviour and ongoing transmission despite previous knowledge and awareness of HIV. This analysis adds to the evidence supporting HIV partner notification in MSM.

During the 1990s, cases of infectious syphilis were uncommon in Wales. In 2002, an outbreak occurred in a sexual network of men who have sex with men (MSM) attending a sauna. A multidisciplinary outbreak control team was convened to raise awareness of the outbreak among MSM and health professionals, assess the extent of outbreak, and initiate surveillance measures. It is likely that early intensive control efforts dampened the epidemic curve. However, since 2006 the number of cases has increased steadily to a peak of four cases per 100,000 population in 2008. The majority of cases continue to occur in MSM (81% in 2009) and in those attending genitourinary (GU) medicine clinics in south east Wales (76%). Traditional sexual networks such as saunas, bars/clubs and cruising grounds remain frequently reported, but Internet-based networks are assuming increasing importance. Public health interventions have been sustained, using traditional partner notification, health promotion initiatives, and more innovative Internet network tracing methods.