East Riding has welcomed Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, to discuss health and wellbeing of residents across rural areas.
The visit forms part of Professor Whitty’s research for his annual report, which will focus on health of people living in small towns and rural communities.
Professor Whitty visited Beverley Library, including the health and wellbeing room, sensory room and digital inclusion offer, the Humber Bridge Wellbeing Hub and Inclusion Health and Suicide Prevention Outreach, and Driffield Leisure Centre where he met with local groups and residents.
Partners from East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the Integrated Care Board and the Community and Voluntary Sector outlined how different communities are supported. East Riding’s Director of Public Health, Andy Kingdom, highlighted the conditions of living approach to health and wellbeing, with factors including housing, education, employment, transport and environment all playing a part.
The visit concluded with a discussion about what rural health inequalities look like in practice, what national policy can sometimes miss in dispersed geographies and sustainability and future challenges.
Councillor Jonathan Owen, Cabinet Member for adult social care and health said: “It was a significant day to be able to show the Chief Medical Officer for England, first-hand, what we’re doing in the East Riding to prevent, reduce and delay the need for health and care services, and enable residents to live longer, happier and healthier lives.
“It was also a chance to share the challenges that come with such a large geographical Local Authority area. I’m pleased that the East Riding will help inform Professor Whitty’s next annual report focusing on small towns and rural communities.”
Professor Whitty said: “It was a real pleasure to visit the East Yorkshire public health team and partners to learn from them. Delivering public health across a large, dispersed geography is difficult, but I was struck by the innovative and creative ways the local team is rising to this challenge. They are doing remarkable work to support the health of people in East Yorkshire.”
The annual report will be published at the end of the year.
