Supporting residents to live long and healthy lives

Our Cabinet is set to receive the eighth annual report from the County Durham Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) when it meets next week on Wednesday 13 September.

The report outlines key achievements the HWB has made during 2022/23 and includes examples of work partners have undertaken or supported during that time.

Among the achievements highlighted within the report was the success of the mobile flu-vaccination pilot. The pilot took place in areas of the county which have had consistently low flu vaccination uptake rates.

Horden Nursery School hosted a flu clinic for its two and three-year-olds in December 2022. Feedback showed parents felt having the clinic at the nursery was more convenient as they had found it difficult to get appointments outside of nursery hours. On the day, 27 children were vaccinated.

Positive impact

Cllr Chris Hood, our Cabinet member for adult and health services and chair of the HWB, said: "Over the past year the HWB has led on and supported a range of excellent work, which has positively impacted health and wellbeing services countywide.

"Along with our partners, we continue to spread the message about the impact of wider social and economic factors on our health, influencing developments in housing, advising local businesses, and informing economic and climate strategy.

"Whilst the pandemic may have stalled some of the progress, our strong partnership work and positive developments have put us in a good position to face any future challenges that come our way."

New strategy 

In May, the HWB launched its new strategy to inform and influence decisions which have an impact on the health and wellbeing of residents. The strategy aims to ensure that working together with communities, everyone in County Durham will be given an equal opportunity to live a long and healthy life.

The priorities include making smoking history, enabling healthy weight for all, improving mental health, resilience and wellbeing, and reducing harm caused by alcohol.

Cabinet will be asked to note the achievements and endorse the report.