The three-year plan will be discussed at next week’s cabinet meeting on Wednesday 17th March, and, if approved, will address Swale’s below average levels of health and deprivation.
The plan will work alongside Kent County Council’s (KCC) overall public health approach to help improve the health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable residents across the borough.
Cllr Angela Harrison, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at the council, said:
“We’re confident that with our three-year plan we can start the important work needed to bridge the gap of the health inequalities in Swale.
“Swale is a diverse borough with significant social, economic and environmental disparities and 90 per cent of the health and wellbeing needs of our residents cannot be met by the NHS.
“If the plan is approved, we can get to work supporting residents and helping them to earn a living wage, access relevant training and education, and achieve a healthy and productive lifestyle.
“Residents deserve to have their basic needs met, have enough to eat, access to employment, and a clean and safe environment to live and work in, and we’re ready to get to work alongside our health partners on the areas where we can have the biggest impact.
“Following public consultation late last year, residents gave us helpful feedback with 80 per cent of respondents stating that the priorities in the plan are relevant and 68 per cent of people agreed that the plan takes into account the current challenges.
“Although KCC are responsible for leading on public health in Swale, it’s important for us to do what we can to address the health inequalities across the borough and help improve the health and wellbeing of our residents.”
The full report and health and wellbeing plan can be viewed here
Swale Borough Council
