Health programme has 'huge potential'

FOCUS ON BOOSTING HEALTH OF OVER-50S

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT Local democracy reporter

A PIONEERING health programme has “huge potential to make a lot of difference”, starting with a push to boost the health of 50 to 65-year-olds.

Stockton was one of 43 places chosen by the Government for the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme, with an initial pilot focusing on the central Stockton and Portrack areas.

The programme is meant to improve healthcare on people's doorsteps, prevent ill health and tackle inequalities through new neighbourhood teams.

Fiona Adamson, chief executive of the Hartlepool and Stockton Health GP Federation, said at a Stockton Council meeting it was “very early days” for the programme.

But she said: “It really does feel like a different way of approaching things. It’s been quite a rapid piece of work so far. It puts Stockton really on the map.

“We talked about a micro-pilot, starting off with a really small population to see if we could make a really big difference, learn from that quickly then scale it up so as many people as possible could benefit from the support,” she told the council’s health and wellbeing board.