Telford & Wrekin Health chiefs target deprived areas
Life expectancy in Telford & Wrekin is currently aged 81 for women and 78 for men – which despite improving is below the national average.
A targeted approach to help those living in the most deprived areas is one of the key areas in which Telford & Wrekin’s Council’s health and wellbeing board aims to help residents over the next four years.
The council published their Health and Wellbeing Strategy for 2023-27 this week which aims to help residents to improve their health and increase the age of life expectancy.
Of the 185,842 people living in Telford & Wrekin in 2021 nearly a quarter live in areas which are in the 20% most deprived nationally – around 45,100 residents – comparable to the rates in inner cities.
“Two thirds of households have an estimated annual income under £40,000 and 35.7% of household’s income is below £20,000, almost double the national percentage,” the report says.
“There are stark variations in the cost of living crisis impact, linked to the wide variation in low income households, Woodside has the highest levels of child poverty (44%), whereas poverty in people aged 60+, is highest in Malinslee & Dawley Bank (31%).”
Life expectancy in Telford & Wrekin is currently aged 81 for women and 78 for men – which despite improving is below the national average.
Men living in the most deprived areas of Telford & Wrekin were expected to live seven years less than a man in a ‘more affluent area’ and women four years less.
The strategy states: “Alongside the wider determinants of health and the best start in life, closing the gap requires a strong emphasis on people living in the most deprived communities. A targeted approach is needed for people who are socially disadvantaged who do not have the same opportunities as residents who are more well off.”
The strategy says that currently in Telford & Wrekin the proportion of children achieving a ‘good level of development’ at age two to two-and-a-half years is 66% – ‘significantly lower than the national average’.
The council’s inequalities plan launched in September 2021 and a total of 35 projects have been funded offering more targeted support where it was needed.
This has included the introduction of family hubs and a working partnership with the voluntary sector ‘to improve access to support and outcomes for residents’.
Some of the projects have included Wellbeing Café’s, Calm Café (for those in crisis) and formation of the Mental Health Alliance partnership.
Concentrating on the health of Telford & Wrekin residents the report says that seven in 10 adults (98,600) are currently at an ‘unhealthy weight’ and 40.8% of children aged 10 to 11.
“Targeted work with education has included a schools health and wellbeing toolkit; physical activity training and active travel initiatives,” says the report.
“Providing enhanced opportunities for physical activity through leisure facilities and other activities and can support residents to live well in their communities and help address health inequalities, in particular amongst those who are currently inactive.”
Initiatives and campaigns to increase levels of physical activity including active travel and ‘Green Spaces are Go’ including promoting cycling through the Bike Hub
The council has targeted the delivery of ‘Live Well’ programmes which aims at encouraging healthy lifestyles and improving mental wellbeing.
Also included in the report is to ‘embed health improvement advice and lifestyle interventions within the clinical pathways for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal and mental health’.
Another aim of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy is to: “Develop our approach bringing together multi-disciplinary teams of staff from across public health, primary care, community care, social care and the voluntary and community sector to work together to deliver joined up, person centred and proactive care.”
Set out in the plan are ways to help those addicted to drink or drugs and those who have been the victims of domestic violence.
The Telford & Wrekin Mental Health Strategy is in development and will outline local priorities. That will be recommended to the Health & Wellbeing Board
The report added that GPs are providing ‘more appointments now than they did before the Covid-19 pandemic’ with seven out of 10 patients being seen face to face.
Data shows that 55% of Telford & Wrekin patients have an appointment same day/next day with 90% seen within two weeks.
“It is clear from direct patient feedback and the latest GP Patient Survey that some patients continue to experience difficulties in both getting through to their practice on the telephone and accessing a timely appointment,” the report concludes.