The Mayor hopes to put prevention at the heart of local strategies
The Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, Luke Campbell, has convened leaders from across the region to explore how health and economic prosperity can be more closely aligned. Regional leaders, including the Mayor, NHS representatives, local councillors, among others, met to discuss ways to deliver on these goals.
Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority, which as Mayor Mr Campbell heads, has called upon the expertise of the NHS Confederation in delivering health and economic partnerships to help community, business and public service leaders to rethink how they can work together to improve outcomes for communities. The Mayor is said to recognise that health and prosperity are deeply interconnected and is focused on the shift to prevention, a move, it is hoped, will support long-term wellbeing and unlock the region’s full potential.
The first of two sessions were centred around the Government’s post-16 education and skills white paper, looking at how young people in the region can be supported. At the meeting, it was discussed how to strengthen resilience and reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training through enhanced partnership working and the ‘Get Hull and East Yorkshire Working’ plan.
During the event, which was held in Hull, there was recognition that there are challenges that need to be addressed, including rising demand and limited resources. However, attendees were confident that the expertise and ambition required are already present in the region.
The meeting’s discussions were designed to build confidence and clarity around future funding bids and the use of devolved powers, ahead of more formal engagement with national and local partners. A future meeting is being planned where the health service’s contribution to impact on the economy will be discussed.
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Mr Campbell said: “I’ve seen first-hand how resilience and opportunity can transform lives, especially for young people. My goal is to get Hull and East Yorkshire ready for the future. That starts with listening to what people are telling us and doing things differently to create a better environment for our children and region. Everyone around the table has a role to play, and I’m excited to see the difference we can make.”
Michael Wood, Head of Health Economic Partnerships at NHS Confederation, added: “Health is an intrinsic part of any local economy, not just through ensuring a healthy local workforce, but through health facilities boosting footfall in town centres and the sector providing quality employment opportunities. The NHS Confederation welcomes the Government’s recognition of health as a driver for economic prosperity, as reflected in the expanded mandate that elected mayors will have over health in their strategic authority areas.
“In Hull and East Yorkshire, this will undoubtedly lead to more integrated, locally appropriate policy making and better economic, social and health outcomes for people across the region. At the NHS Confederation, we are lending our expertise to mayors across the country to prepare them and their health systems for the change and to help them understand that link between health and wealth.”