Partnerships work to improve region’s health

Oct 6 2007 by Audrey Barton, The Journal

HEALTH in the North-East is being improved by ‘partnership’ working, according to new research by the Audit Commission.

However, more needs to be done to close the gap between the region and the rest of England.

The Audit Commission reviewed how organisations across the North-East work together to address health inequalities.

The review comes as a new health strategy has been launched for the region, aiming to turn around its ‘sick man’ reputation.

The barriers the commission found to improving health are funding and resources; lifestyle and attitudes; poverty, deprivation and income; geography and transport.

David Jennings, senior manager for the Audit Commission in the North-East, said: “These are very powerful findings.

“We will be working on how we can move forward, break down the barriers and make sure that funding is targeted to achieve value for money by providing high quality services based on evidence of what works best.”

Better Health, Fairer Health has been launched with the aim of transforming the health of the region from the worst to the best in the country within a generation.

A spokeswoman for NHS North of Tyne said: “Across the North of Tyne, primary care organisations are already working closely with local authorities and a range of other bodies on efforts to improve health and health care and know we can build on this to bring about further improvements.”