The Health Inequalities Commission in Oxfordshire has now convened to review health inequalities in Oxfordshire and make recommendations on what actions are needed to address them.
In terms of people with learning disabilities especially please see the event of the 7th of March below. They are calling for written submissions for this event by the 27th of February.
Members of the Commission include:
Independent Chair, Professor Sian Griffin
Professor Trish Greenhalgh, Professor of Primary Care Health Sciences and Fellow of Green Templeton College at the University of Oxford
Cllr Ed Turner, Deputy Leader of Oxford City Council
Patrick Taylor, Chief Executive of Mind
Paul Cann, Chief Executive of Age UK
Richard Lohman, Director on the board of Healthwatch Oxfordshire
Dr Joe McManners, Local GP and Clinical Chair of Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group
Andrew Stevens, Director of Planning & Information at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
County Councillor Representative to be confirmed
Health inequalities are differences between people or groups due to social, geographical, biological or other factors. These differences have a huge impact, because they result in people who are worst off experiencing poorer health and shorter lives. The causes of health inequalities are complex, and include lifestyle factors—smoking, nutrition, exercise to name only a few—as well as wider determinants such as poverty, housing and education.
The Health Inequalities Commission will make recommendations for actions which could be taken to achieve sustainable reductions in health inequalities in the county. It will focus on how we can improve the delivery of health and social care functions to reduce health inequalities at all ages across the life-course. This will involve considering aspects of urban and rural living, the experiences of ethnic minority groups and of those populations living in situations of particular disadvantage such as homelessness and poor housing.
As part of the process of the Commission, evidence sessions will be held in public over the next few months providing opportunities to explore certain issues in greater depth through oral evidence.
In addition, the Commission is calling for written responses, particularly from the public.
The findings and recommendations will be reported to the Oxfordshire Health & Well Being Board in the autumn. The report will then be published for organisations to use as a basis for ongoing actions.
The Evidence Sessions will be held:
26 February, 9.30 to 12.30pm at Exeter Hall in Kidlington. The theme is ‘beginning well’; submissions are invited on maternity, children, young people’s health, early intervention: early communication and nurturing, education: schools, education and health literacy, lifestyle interventions and prevention, e.g. smoking and promoting physical activity. Deadline for submissions is 15 February.
7 March, 9.30 to 12.30pm at John Paul II Centre in Bicester. The theme is ‘living well’; submissions are invited on the working age population, living with diabetes, living with mental health challenges, living with learning disabilities, healthy workplaces and challenges associated with living on low incomes/income support. Deadline for submissions is 27 February.
11 April, 9.30 to 12.30pm at the Rose Hill Centre in Oxford. The theme is ‘ageing well’; submissions are invited on older people’s health and inequalities issues and living with dementia. Deadline for submissions is 29 March.
23 May, 9.30 to 12.30pm in the Council Chamber at Oxford Town Hall in Oxford. The session will be based on cross cutting themes and challenges including housing, education, rural living, poverty etc. Deadline for submissions is 6 May.
For information about how to submit evidence call 07919 346547, send an email to cscsu.talkinghealth@nhs.net
or visit http://www.oxfordshireccg.nhs.uk/about-us/work-programmes/health-inequalities-commission/