The official launch of a prospectus to outline interventions to reduce health inequalities in coastal communities took place at Bournemouth University.
The event was attended by Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, alongside representatives of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and healthcare providers across the UK.
The event sought to further conversations on health inequalities following the Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report 2021, which highlighted the need for a national approach to coastal healthcare.
In the 2021 report Professor Whitty said, “This concentration of poor health and wellbeing in coastal communities also provides a clear and geographically defined target for national action. If we could improve the health of coastal communities, the median health for the entire country would be lifted.”
Following the report the Coastal Navigators Network of ICBs and key parties was established to look at interventions to support health equality, using six pilot areas including Portland in Dorset. The launch of the prospectus outlines the next steps for scaling impact and accelerating progress on reducing inequalities in coastal communities.
Professor Alison Honour, Vice-Chancellor of Bournemouth University, spoke at the event to talk about the contribution coastal universities like BU can make to reducing health inequalities. Professor Honour also introduced Professor Whitty for his keynote address. She said, “I was pleased to contribute to the important discussion of health care in coastal communities, and how healthcare providers can work to ensure an equality of care in such regions. I was also reassured to hear Professor Chris Whitty share his thoughts on how we can move forward together in addressing coastal health issues.
“As the Vice-Chancellor of a coastal university, we want to play our part in responding to such issues, and I know that universities across the country can work with their local healthcare providers in responding to local and regional needs together, we look forward to continuing these discussions and playing our part in Dorset.”
Professor Whitty then spoke, sharing what had been done since the 2021 report, and what more needed to be done to see coastal communities thrive.
Patricia Miller, CEO of NHS Dorset, is a founding partner of the Coastal Navigators Network and also spoke at the event.
Bournemouth University has expertise in healthcare, with an ambition to help people live better for longer, focusing on the local region. For more information, visit: https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/why-bu/learn-change/helping-people-live-better-longer
