ACCORDING to some, Buckinghamshire is a great place to live and work - and the Health and Wellbeing Board wants your help to make it an even happier, healthier environment by providing feedback in a consultation just launched, which runs until Monday, April 9.
Results from the consultation will help all partner agencies involved shape the Board’s final strategy, due out in the summer. It’s aims are to ensure:
>Every child has the best start in life
>Everyone takes greater responsibility for their health and wellbeing
>Everyone has an equal opportunity to access services and support to
>help them fulfil their potential Keeping people healthier for longer,
>adding years to life and life to years
Buckinghamshire’s Health & Wellbeing strategy will prioritise the issues requiring the greatest attention, avoiding the pitfall of trying to take action on everything at once.
Patricia Birchley, Buckinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing said: “Our vision is about promoting healthier lives for everyone. Faced with an ageing population, I want to ensure that the quality of life of our older residents is maintained for as long as possible. While this is an absolute priority, some health issues are beyond our control, but there is so much we can all do as individuals to take care of ourselves and enjoy a happier, healthier life.
“I urge people to get involved in this consultation. Health affects us all in various ways and it’s really important that we, and our partners, make the right strategic decisions from the outset. Working together we can make a real difference and that’s what we’re aiming to achieve. The Health & Wellbeing of half a million residents in Buckinghamshire is generally very good, but there is always room for improvement. Please let us have your feedback on the consultation by April 9.”
Dr Karen West, vice-chair of the Board, said: “This is a great opportunity for GPs to get involved, and work with the council and the public, with the aim of improving health outcomes for the wider population. A healthy lifestyle makes for a much better quality of life and it’s vital that we know how this can best be achieved. Input from the public is really important and I encourage people to let us have their views. I really believe this board will be able to make a difference to the people of Buckinghamshire, but we will need your help to do this properly.”
To take part visit the Have Your Say pages on Buckinghamshire County Council’s website: www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/research/hwb_strategy.page. Alternatively, you can request a paper consultation form by calling 01296 387728, or write to Policy and Partnerships Team, Room G9, New County Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, HP20 1UA