Help us to keep you healthy in Cheshire East

 

A plan which aims to improve people’s health is currently being drawn up – and Cheshire East Health and Wellbeing Board wants your help to build it.

Changes to the country’s health system now mean the Council has to set up this board, and with it, a new Joint Health and Wellbeing strategy for 2013-14.

It is anticipated that by 2029 the numbers of people aged 65 or over will increase by more than 50 per cent to 108,000 and those aged 85 or over will more than double to 20,000.

With this in mind, it is very important that the strategy is agreed so that the authority can seek to make improvements in Cheshire East.

Councillor Janet Clowes, Cabinet member in charge of health and adult social care, said: “The strategy aims to improve health and wellbeing for people in Cheshire East and to reduce inequalities in health. Once agreed, we hope it will make a positive difference to people’s lives.

“We all want to feel fit, healthy and well and, at some point in our lives, we may need to access a service that will make us feel that way, inside and out.

“We need to work in a way that supports people in Cheshire East throughout their lifetime; to ensure they have the best start in life, to live well and to age well.

“The Health and Wellbeing Board is asking for your support to help us to achieve these priorities and we would welcome your ideas on how we can improve things.”

The Council invites all views, but there are particular factors that can influence a person’s health and wellbeing. These include:

· Where you live and the surrounding environment;

· Your economic circumstances;

· Your involvement with the local community;

· Lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking, eating habits and physical activity;

· How safe your local area is; and

· Access to transport, shops and services.

These are particular areas people may wish to consider when they contribute their ideas on how the key priorities of the strategy might best be met.

The Government’s Health and Social Care Act 2012 states that each local authority needs to establish a Health and Wellbeing Board, which will bring together commissioners from the NHS, public health and social care.

These commissioners plan and buy local health care, social care and children’s services. 

To find out more about this consultation, visit www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/consultations or to request a paper copy, send an email to cpu@cheshireeast.gov.uk or call 01625 383750.