16 Jun 2005
The NHS has a key role to play in cutting local crime rates and boosting community social networks, concludes a report published by the NHS Confederation this week.
Healthy Sustainable Neighbourhoods, which was launched at the NHS Confederation's annual conference in Birmingham today, outlines the link between strong local communities, personal health, and social cohesion.
Strong local communities are essential for inner city regeneration and in shaping new urban developments, such as those proposed in Milton Keynes and the Thames Gateway, says the report.
In areas with a strong sense of community, people not only feel safer, but crime rates are lower, and health is better.
The report suggests that the NHS can contribute to the creation of healthy sustainable neighbourhoods in several ways.
Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull NHS Trust is a practical example of the way in which the NHS, in collaboration with the Home Office, has helped cut local crime rates and boosted perceptions of safety.
In 2002 almost a third of crime reported at the trust was in the Accident and Emergency Department.
A thorough review of the department led to changes in the lay-out of the reception area, improved natural and CCTV surveillance, restricted public access to clinical areas, and improved signage. The crime rate in the department has now halved.
The Castle Circus initiative in Torquay, Devon, has involved several different agencies, including those providing health services, working together to restore a major 'no go area' in the centre of Torquay that had been dogged by antisocial behaviour.
After two years a public survey showed that the perception of safety had shot up 300%. The number of reported drug offences had halved, and disorder calls to the police had also dropped more than 40%.
Torbay Primary Care Trust now requires local agencies to commit to community safety as part of their service provision.
Sylvia Wyatt, Project Manager for the Future Healthcare Network says: 'A healthy neighbourhood is key to people's health. And the NHS can contribute a great deal to the creation of healthy neighbourhoods through initiatives that tackle inequalities and housing.
'A comprehensive 'neighbourhood standard,' setting out minimum standards for assessing the health of a local community, would help the public and voluntary sectors monitor the effectiveness of their policies and investment,' she adds.
ENDS
1. The NHS Confederation represents more than 90% of the organisations that make up the NHS throughout the UK. Its members include the majority of NHS trusts, foundation trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; NHS boards and special boards in Scotland; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
2. The Future Healthcare Network (FHN) is made up of organisations that are at the leading edge of thinking about future developments in healthcare. It aims to address the large gap between current levels of knowledge about healthcare and what will be required by 2010 and beyond. It is part of the NHS Confederation.
3. Healthy Sustainable Neighbourhoods. The NHS Confederation June 2005.
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Last reviewed 6 Nov 2006