Fifers to get a say in 10-year scheme to improve their health

COUNCIL: Plan aims to eradicate poverty and inequality

Fife communities will play a key role in the drive to improve their health and well-being over the next 10 years.

Talking to local people and understanding their needs will become the focus of the new Plan For Fife, replacing the old approach of telling them how to live.

The plan, which aims to shape the next decade of life in the kingdom, aims to eradicate poverty and inequality.

It was unveiled by Fife Council in September and has now been endorsed by NHS Fife colleagues who said it would help reduce inequalities in health.

Medical director Dr Frances Elliot said she was “hugely excited” about the opportunities the approach would bring.

“If we look at international evidence about healthy communities, it starts with engagement with those communities in understanding what is important to them,” she said.

“If we do not have that at the heart of what we do at the start of that work, we have missed an opportunity.”

Dr Elliot said speaking to people before services were created for them was the most important of the 12 priorities contained in the plan.

“If we get it right, we will have a healthier, wealthier and happier Fife,” she said.

“We need to build strong communities on this basis.”

One of the ambitions is to have better health outcomes and the report recognises the need for greater investment in local and community networks.

Over the next two years, the role of preventative health interventions will be strengthened to address cancer, coronary heart disease and alcoholrelated harm, particularly in the most disadvantaged communities.

Active and healthy lifestyles will be promoted to help combat conditions such as obesity and diabetes.

In addition, local groups will be set up to support community projects, care and support services will be redesigned to give people more choice and control, and self-monitoring and early intervention will be promoted. Services to address children’s mental health and family support will also be improved.

The plan, which went to public consultation for eight weeks in September and October, involves the council, NHS, police, fire and the third sector.

If we get it right, we will have a healthier, weathier and happier Fife. DR FRANCES ELLIOT MEDICAL DIRECTOR