People Encouraged to Join in on Health Conversation

Local people are being asked to join the conversation on a vision for a healthier Staffordshire.

The Staffordshire Health and Wellbeing Board has today launched a public conversation on their new draft strategy to improve the health and wellbeing of people who live and work in the county.

People are invited to share their thoughts and ideas on the draft strategy, which aims to tackle the underlying causes of poor health and wellbeing across the county.

The proposals in the strategy focus on four priority areas:

  • Health in early life
  • Good mental health
  • Healthy weight
  • Healthy ageing

Dr Johnny McMahon, Cabinet Support Member for Public Health and Integrated Care, and co-chair of the Staffordshire Health and Wellbeing Board said:

“We want to make a difference to the health and wellbeing of people across the county, and this new strategy sets out what we’re going to do to address the challenges we face.

“There are many good things happening already, and great strides are being made towards our ambition of making sure people can live healthier lives for longer and reducing health inequalities. We want to build on those to drive forward improvements, and make sure health is at the forefront of everything we do.

“This is an important opportunity for people to share their thoughts – health really is everyone’s business, and I encourage people to take a look at the strategy and talk to us about what it means to them.”

People’s feedback will help refine and confirm the vision and approaches outlined in the strategy, which will then be submitted to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

The previous strategy was published in 2018, before the coronavirus pandemic. Although it was due to run until 2023, the Board decided the strategy should be updated, to take the impact of COVID-19 into account and adjust our approach sooner.

Doctor Alison Bradley, co-chair of the board added: “We know that some communities in Staffordshire have been more affected by coronavirus than others, and that some people have struggled to maintain healthy lifestyles as a result.

“This new draft strategy takes the effect of those issues into account so that we can take earlier action to improve health and wellbeing, and reduce poor health, right across Staffordshire.

“I’d urge people to get involved and comment on this draft strategy, as the best way for us to make a difference is by understanding what matters to people and communities.”

The conversation launches today, Friday 21 January, and will be open until midnight on Sunday 20 February.

People can get involved either by completing the online survey or by emailing their thoughts on the strategy to StaffsHWBB@Staffordshire.gov.uk

Tony Walley
Tony Walley
News & Sport Editor

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