Reducing health inequalities for residents across Solihull is the focus of the Health and Well-being Board’s new plan. “Tackling health inequalities: a blueprint for Solihull 2022-2025” describes how Solihull’s health inequalities can be addressed over the next three years.
This document is a call to action to residents, community groups and local organisations to work with the Council and NHS, to create a Solihull where people have a fairer chance to be healthier, happier, safer and more prosperous.
The need for such action is shown by the data in the strategy, for example on average, men in the most deprived areas of Solihull can expect to live around 12 years less than those in the least deprived. Even more stark, is that those living in the most deprived areas of Solihull spend much longer in ill-health, up to 18 years more, compared with those in the least deprived (Public Health Profiles – Inequality in Healthy Life Expectancy).
The strategy sets out the Board’s overall aim, its guiding principles, and initial priorities for reducing health inequalities across the borough. It was approved at the Health and Wellbeing Board on 14 June, following public consultation.
Partners will now work together through a new Implementation Group (SIG) to ensure the plan is followed.
The Solihull strategy sits alongside one for Birmingham, both of which feed in to an overall plan for tackling health inequalities for the entire Birmingham and Solihull area.
To download and read the full strategy or the summary version, entitled “At a glance” please visit the Council website here: https://www.solihull.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/tackling-health-inequalities.
Cllr Karen Grinsell, Deputy Leader of Solihull Council and Chair of Solihull Council’s Health and Wellbeing board, said:
“Our plan to tackle health inequalities in Solihull is a living and working document: we know that people face real challenges at the moment which will affect their health and well-being so this is more urgent and important than ever.
“Each priority area supports our ambition - that all residents in Solihull, no matter where they are born, grow up, live or work and whatever their age, they can have a fair opportunity to be as healthy as they can be. This includes practical steps to give children the best start in life, support young people on their first steps into employment and making sure that we address the needs of new communities living in the borough.
“I look forward to working with other organisations, including the NHS via the Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System, on this vital issue.”
Lisa Stalley-Green, Deputy Chair of Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board and Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Nurse of NHS Birmingham and Solihull, said:
“Tackling health inequalities is a key priority for all of the partners in our integrated care system. Our vision is for Birmingham and Solihull to be the healthiest place to live and work, driving equity in life chances for everyone. It’s really important that when we say everyone, we mean it.
“The Solihull strategy is an example of work we’re replicating across the area to ensure that health and social care organisations can commit to the same vision, and to give direction to the work which follows which will make a real impact on the experiences of our diverse communities.
“This is a great example of the power of working collaboratively, and we are committed to doing just that with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and other partners to begin to affect real change.”