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Health and Wellbeing Making equality a reality. Janet Thornton, Trustee Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE). Session will cover. Overview of the current situation Health data Public policy Voluntary sector action Challenges to creating a greater equality.
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Health and WellbeingMaking equality a reality Janet Thornton, Trustee Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE)
Session will cover • Overview of the current situation • Health data • Public policy • Voluntary sector action • Challenges to creating a greater equality
Rural Health: current situation • Overall life expectancy is higher than urban • Mortality rates lower as is potential years lost to premature death • Many challenges • e.g. distance to health services • and higher costs
Public health policy • Recent changes to health – key principles • Devolution and more power to professionals • Higher quality • Better integration of services • Tackling health inequalities • Defra’s rural proofing role • Ensure health policies work
Challenges for rural health • Distance decay • Higher costs • Accessibility versus quality • Rural poverty • Recruitment and retention • One size doesn’t fit all
Rural Evidence: Health Profiles • Suite of national area-based health reports • Detailed health picture with national, urban and rural comparisons • County, Unitary and District • Measures of health & well-being: holistic • Illness/disease & lifestyle behaviours • Influencing factors – deprivation, housing, access to health • Available from RCCs
Example: Health Profile Craven District • Health problems mainly typical of a rural District i.e. fewer than urban • No part of Craven is within England’s 20% most deprived areas • Challenges of accessibility e.g. average road distance from nearest GP is 3.2km (urban 0.9km) • Higher emergency hospital admissions than rural average but lower than urban and national average
Role of voluntary & community sector in health • Strong focus on prevention, promotion and health improvement • Schemes developed for and with the community (parish planning) • Advice & signposting • Befriending and good neighbours • Community transport • Mental health projects
RCC network & health:Yorkshire case studies Case Study 1 – Touchstones • When a spouse or partner dies you lose a lifetime companion but also a set of skills and knowledge • We support bereaved individuals to learn new skills and find practical support locally • Run in partnership with Age UK with Big Lottery Silver Dreams Funding • 200 beneficiaries over 18 months
RCC network & health:Yorkshire case studies (2) Case Study 2 - Grow your own community • A pilot to support community building committees to expand their services to support their community • New activities aimed at preventative social care and early intervention • Funded by North Yorkshire County Council and 7 hubs set up over 18 months • New services launched include community cafes, allotments, social activity groups and drop in centres