Executive Director of Health Equity North comments on 10 Year Health Plan announcement

We welcome the Government’s 10-Year Plan and are encouraged by its strong emphasis on prevention, which is an essential approach for improving the health and wealth of the country. “We have long championed the need to prioritise deprived communities with lower life expectancy and limited access to essential services. The proposed measures, including the expansion of GP training and the roll-out of Neighbourhood Health Services, are promising steps towards addressing the urgent and long-standing health inequalities in areas that have the greatest need for improvement. “While the shift from ‘analogue to digital’ is both necessary and progressive, it must be implemented with equity and accessibility at its core, resulting in inclusion rather than isolation. "Innovations in prevention and digital health must be supported and researched in areas that will see the greatest impact. As the 10-Year Plan is developed in more detail, there must be a focus on women's health, children and ageing populations in order to move towards a truly equitable society. Our research shows that there is currently an unacceptable health gap experienced by women, people aged 65 and over, and children in the North of England compared to the South. The effects of these inequalities are not only costing our economy billions, but are leaving the most vulnerable in our regions living shorter lives in worse health and at a greater risk of poverty. “We look forward to seeing further details of the plan's implementation. I hope that it delivers on its promise and also brings people in the North of England closer to a fairer, healthier future.”