Health, social care and well-being strategy

Although health overall is improving for the people of Plymouth, many challenges remain. The most stark challenge is that, year on year, the gap in life expectancy across the different neighbourhoods of Plymouth gets wider. This is unacceptable and to date, as a city, we have failed to address this gap.

There are also inequalities in health and access to services between ethnic groups and these are substantial issues, given our growing Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) population. In the coming years, we also face the challenge of an ageing population and of increasing numbers of people living with a disability or with dementia. We need to work towards ensuring older people and those with disabilities remain healthy and independent by investing in services to promote health and support independent living.

The only way we can address these challenges is if we work much more closely in partnership to explicitly address local needs. This strategy draws on an analysis of need, the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), to suggest priority areas for action across all sectors within the City. The JSNA included consultation with, and involvement of, the community and voluntary sector, users of services and local people. It highlights five priority areas for action in the years 2008 to 2020.

Health, Social Care and Well-being Strategy: Part one [2.1MB]

Health, Social Care and Well-being Strategy: Part two [2MB]