Listen
Health programme to aid northern communities
24/01/2008
A major health improvement programme is set to be rolled out across the Highlands, Grampian and Island communities to the benefit of more than 45,000 people.
Minister for Public Health Shona Robison has pledged a significant £750,000 funding package to take forward 'Well North' initiatives - aimed to target communities where health needs are greatest.
Led by GP practices, six key programmes have been identified in Moray, Orkney, Shetland, Western Isles, Grampian, Highland and North West Sutherland to provide people with a range of services, support and advice that will have a positive impact on their health.
Ms Robison said:
"Well North is an exciting approach to engage with people and deliver health care services as locally as possible.
"I am delighted that from April this year services will begin to be rolled out.
"We are moving from a culture of treating ill-health to preventing it. This means targeting resources where they are needed most and designing services which are easier for people to use.
"With more people living longer, this programme plays a major role in not only reducing the risk of ill-health but increasing the likelihood of better health in later life.
"These enhanced services will mean more direct and targeted interventions than ever before. These will be world leading services, aimed at those with high risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, poor diet, smoking, alcohol misuse and inactive lifestyles.
"Using GPs as a starting point, the programme aims to make services relevant and accessible, ensure our most remote communities benefit and help to tackle the roots of health inequality."
The Well North programme will involve 47 GP practices and will link with a range of providers such as smoking cessation services and dieticians. It is led by the North of Scotland Public Health Network, which is a collaboration between the NHS Grampian, NHS Highland, NHS Orkney, NHS Shetland and NHS Western Isles. The network aims to link groups of public health and health improvement professionals to work in a coordinated manner.