Moray Council has signed up to a multi-agency group aiming to improve the health of people across the area, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
The North East Population Health Alliance (NEPHA) will work with Public Health Scotland to reduce inequalities, improve mental wellbeing and access to care.
However concerns were raised over the ability of the group to make meaningful changes to people’s lives at a meeting this week.
Elgin North councillor Sandy Keith asked what would make this project succeed.
Prevention rather than cure
He said: “Since the 1950s Scotland has had the lowest life expectancy in the UK, and my understanding is it’s getting worse.
“So despite undoubted policy ambitions, effective implementation has fallen short, and inequalities exist and persist.
“We do need practical collaboration with communities. We don’t need another grand strategy.
“We want to make sure this one succeeds.”
Forres councillor Paul McBain also had reservations.
He said: “Joe Bloggs on the street just wants to get to hospital and get back out.”
Moray Council chief executive Roddy Burns told the meeting knowledge had been gained from dealing with the Covid pandemic.
He said: “I think the lesson learned from that is the ability to work with local communities and individuals in a way that hopefully, over time, will improve health.
“What’s also changed… is public health has its own significance and importance.”
Council leader Kathleen Robertson welcome the establishment of the partnership.
‘Inequalities exist and persist’
She said: “The essence of this is we start to address prevention rather than cure.”
She called for the document to go before the Community Planning Partnership board for endorsement, which was agreed.
The local authority is one of nine members of the NEPHA that are committed to working together for the benefit of folk in the area.
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils, the three area health and social care partnerships, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and NHS Grampian are also members.
Public health significant and important
Organisations will share responsibility for the wellbeing of the population.
NEPHA’s vision is to have flourishing communities living fulfilled lives.
The agreement between NEPHA and the Public Health Scotland comes into force later this month. It will be in place for three years.
Over the next 12 months the partnership will look at developing a common data governance system so relevant information can be found.
Poverty, drug use and homelessness
They will also commission and conduct research into particular health issues impacting people in the area.
A prevention strategy will be developed with the view of establishing health improvement targets.
And the group will look at addressing child poverty, drug use and eradicating homelessness.
Conversation