Friday 4 October 2024

Tackling health inequalities in our communities

Dear James,

Last week I was really pleased to be able to attend the launch of the Poverty Truth Commission in Ilfracombe. This is one of the partnership projects supported by the Trust that is contributing to reducing health inequalities in one of the places with the biggest differentials in health outcomes in Devon.

The commission aims to create a shared understanding of the causes and impact of poverty and explore how we can work together to make a positive change.

While at the launch I took the opportunity to speak to Katherine Allen, Royal Devon Director of Strategy about health inequalities, what they are, the launch of our first Royal Devon health inequalities strategy and how we are working with our partners to address them.

Please click on the image below to watch my catch up with Katherine.

Our Partnerships team is responsible for delivering our health inequalities strategy but it's important that we recognise that tackling health inequalities is everyone’s business and I am pleased that we are making strides to embed health inequalities in everything we do.

The Poverty Truth Commission has room for five more community commissioners. If you have patients, family or friends who live or work in Ilfracombe or if you are interested in taking part please contact James in the Partnerships team on James.lander2@nhs.net. More information can be found here.

As always, thank you for everything you continue to do for each other and our patients.

Sam Higginson

Chief Executive Officer