| Title: | Bridging the Gap: Tackling Inequality and Delivering Fairer Health Outcomes For All |
| Date: | Wednesday 10th June 2009 |
| Time: | 10:00am – 4:15pm |
| Venue: | One Birdcage Walk, Westminster, London |
“…localism is absolutely essential for tackling health inequalities. We know there is no “skeleton key solution”, because the realities of health inequality can be highly localised, with significant deviation between neighbourhoods, and sometimes even between streets.”
— Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo, MP, Public Health Minister, November 2008
“…tackling health inequalities is one of my top priorities. Now is the time to redouble our efforts to meet the challenging 2010 targets, but it's also right to look further in the future. To make more progress we need to recognise and accept that health inequalities are everyone's business - not just an issue for the NHS, but for Government and Society as a whole.”
— Rt Hon Alan Johnston, MP, (former) Health Secretary, June 2008
Whilst the combination of rapid medical advancement and extensive investment in the NHS has contributed to improvements in the general level of public health in Britain, it is clear that parts of our local communities are failing to benefit equally and are being left behind. Health inequalities remain entrenched in society, with poor health and life expectancy bound strongly to social exclusion, poverty and unhealthy lifestyle choices.
Acknowledging that the causes of poor health and persistent health inequality are complex and distinct to an individual, a neighbourhood or community, the government has pledged to identify and tackle both the specific health threat and its wider social causes. Through the ‘Choosing Health’ delivery plan and the NHS ‘Tackling Health Inequalities’ programme the Government has extended the role and responsibility of local authorities and practitioners best placed to respond to specific and complex local health needs, targeting a reduction in health inequality by 10% by 2010.
Whilst there has been marked improvement in the overall health of the nation, figures released in June 2008 indicated that the gap in health outcomes between those at the top and bottom ends of the social scale remains large and in some areas continues to widen. Nevertheless, underlining its commitment to achieving the national target and to further reducing health inequality beyond 2010, the Government has developed several new national schemes directed at improving health from within the community and injected further funding and support into local strategies, including:
With the ambitious 2010 deadline fast approaching, this timely conference, hosted by the Centre for Parliamentary Studies, will provide an invaluable opportunity for local authorities, practitioners and stakeholders to assess how the PSA target for health inequalities can be met and also consider the longer term outlook for achieving fairer health outcomes for all. The conference will consider the role of local government and collaborative partnerships in supporting and promoting healthier lifestyles within disadvantaged communities. Delegates will have the opportunity to debate, network and share practical and innovative solutions to local health needs.
| 09:15 | Registration & Morning Refreshments |
| 10:00 |
Chair’s Welcome and Opening Remarks |
| 10:15 |
Meeting the 2010 Target and Beyond: The Next Steps
|
| 11:00 | Morning Coffee Break |
| 11:20 |
Panel Session One Implementing the National Vision through Local Partnerships
Helen Davies, Health Policy Manager & Joint Acting Head of Social Inclusion and Health, Greater London Authority (Confirmed) |
| 12:40 | Networking Lunch |
| 13:40 |
Panel Session Two: Tailoring Practical Solutions to Local Problems
Susan Biddle, Joint Programme Manager, Healthy Communities, IDeA (Invited) Frances Cunning, Healthy Towns Coordinator, Sheffield (Confirmed) |
| 14:50 | Afternoon Coffee Break |
| 15:10 |
Tackling Inequality through Innovation
|
| 16:10 | Chair’s Summary and Closing Comments |
| 16:15 | Conference Close |
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