Committee Calls For Radical Action To Improve Health Outcomes For All

Radical action is required if the health of all local people is to be improved. That’s the message from the Assembly Health Committee which has today published its Report into Health Inequalities.

The Committee has spoken to a range of experts to learn how health inequalities are being tackled in other regions and what lessons could be learnt and applied locally.

Chairperson of the Health Committee, Sue Ramsey MLA said: “Improving the health outcomes for all our people is of paramount concern for the Committee. It cannot be acceptable that people living in deprived areas are suffering poorer rates of health across a range of measures, compared to others in society.

“As the Department is currently producing a new public health strategy, we believe that our recommendations are both timely and innovative.

“One issue that must be taken on board is the importance of supporting parents. There is a great deal of research which shows that parenting has a significant influence over long-term public health issues, and that good parenting can mitigate against a range of other disadvantages that a child might experience.”

The Committee recommendations also include a suggestion that consideration should be given to creating a new Department of Children and Young People to ensure that services are designed around the needs of the child.

The Committee’s report will be sent to the Department of Health in order that the recommendations can be considered in terms of finalising the new public health strategy – Fit and Well – which is expected to be published in Spring 2013.