PRESS RELEASE
Issued by:
Councillor Jean Quinn, Spokesperson, Social Care, Health and Inclusion
Date of Issue: Oct 25th 2006
Contact number:
0151 625 9547

WIRRAL'S POOR HEALTH PROMPTS CALL FOR ACTION
“Many health problems worse than national average.”

Wirral's poor state of health and criticisms from a Government watchdog have prompted a local councillor to call for urgent action.

Councillor Jean Quinn, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Social Care, Health and Inclusion and a former GP, wants local council and local health bosses to come together to form a strategy to improve Wirral's health.

“We are already working together successfully on different initiatives and have achieved a great deal, but to be effective we need to bring all this work together in one overarching strategy.

“Wirral has many health problems that are significantly worse than the national average:

  • Life expectancy is lower than national average
  • Alcohol: 22.6% of adults binge drink
  • Heart disease: 1,172 died prematurely of heart disease and strokes from 2002-4
  • Cancer: more deaths from cancer than regional and national average.
  • Smoking: in spite of improvements 2,047 people died of smoking related diseases
  • Drugs: the number of drug users in contact with service is significantly higher than national and regional average.

“Many people are unaware that health promotion is part of the Council's responsibility and, as the recent Government inspectors' report showed us, it clearly is.

The Government watchdog, the Audit Commission, found that Wirral's strategic framework for health was incomplete and also identified other problems related to health inequalities, obesity, physical activity and cancer death targets.

Councillor Quinn will present her proposals at Monday's Full Council Meeting.

As a first step to improve Wirral's health Councillor Quinn is proposing the withdrawal of all sugary drinks from sale in Council premises and in vending machines.

Councillor Quinn's Notice of Motion - Full Council October 30 2006

Promoting Health and Wellbeing

This Council is committed to promoting healthier communities, increasing health and well being and reducing health inequalities and reaffirms its commitment to the following key action areas:

  • Smokefree Wirral which is helping people to reduce smoking and
    promoting smokefree environments in advance of national legislation.
  • Wirral Active aimed at increasing physical activity and reducing
    obesity.
  • Wirral's Taste for Health which would promote healthy food and aim to
    reduce obesity.
  • Wirral Working for Health concentrating on workplace health issues,
    and promoting employment in disadvantaged groups.
  • Drinksafe in Wirral which will reduce the misuse of alcohol

Council requests Council Officers, Wirral PCT and their partners to draw together these key action areas in a new health and wellbeing strategic framework and to identify further specific actions that can be taken to promote good health amongst Wirral residents.

Council asks that a report on the strategic framework, key action areas and specific actions identified be submitted to Cabinet by January 2007.

Moved by: Councillor Jean Quinn
Seconded by: Councillor Denise Roberts