Public consultation has begun on a new joint strategy to guide the work of the South Gloucestershire Health and Wellbeing Board to improve the health of everyone living and working in South Gloucestershire.
The new Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy will be adopted by the organisations that make up the Health and Wellbeing Board as they work together with the local community towards a vision for better health from 2017 to 2021.
The draft Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy sets out four key areas where the Board feel they can make most impact on the health and wellbeing of people living and working in South Gloucestershire by working together. These areas for collective action are:
- Improve educational attainment and raise aspirations through promotion of health and wellbeing in schools and colleges
- Promote and enable positive mental health and wellbeing throughout life
- Promote and enable good nutrition, physical activity and a healthy weight at all ages
- Maximise the potential of our built and natural environment to enable healthy lifestyles and prevent disease.
The Health and Wellbeing Board is chaired by South Gloucestershire Council Leader, Councillor Matthew Riddle and brings together local organisations with an interest in health: Healthwatch South Gloucestershire, NHS South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, South Gloucestershire Council, The Care Forum, Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Office, North Bristol NHS Trust, Sirona care and health, and the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.
The consultation runs for 10 weeks, until Monday 21 August, and the public are encouraged to comment and feedback on each of the areas prioritised for action.
Councillor Riddle said: “We would like to encourage everyone who lives in South Gloucestershire to comment on our proposed Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
“It is important that we focus on areas which can make a real difference to everyone’s health and wellbeing, so please give us your feedback on what we are proposing and let us know your views on what should be included.”
More information about the Strategy and details of how to give your feedback is available online at www.southglos.gov.uk/hws. Copies of the consultation materials are also available at libraries and One Stop Shops.
The strategy has been developed from the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, which provides local authorities with a comprehensive picture of the current and projected future health and wellbeing of the population. Feedback provided as part of this consultation will be used by the Health and Wellbeing Board to shape the final strategy.
