Meeting the needs of Warwickshire’s growing populations of young and old drives the council’s strategy to provide and deliver services through investment in partnerships which encourage residents to lead healthy and independent lives for as long as possible.

Mr Selbie took the opportunity to meet with Warwickshire County Council’s Director and Deputy Director of Public Health John Linnane and Helen King along with Strategic Director, County Council Leader, Chief Executive and the Portfolio holder for Adult Social Care and Health, Les Caborn. Sue Ibbotson, Centre lead for PHE, West Midlands also attended the meeting which focussed on the needs of Warwickshire residents and how they are being met.

Key priorities across Warwickshire include reducing smoking rates, raising awareness of mental health and the support services available, promotion of healthy lifestyles and helping our children to become school ready.

Talking about Public Health priorities in Warwickshire, Councillor Les Caborn, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care & Health said:

“Central to our strategy is a focus on our residents’ wellbeing through all stages of their lives from birth to adulthood, supporting them with a range of services to support mental and physical health and healthy lifestyle choices.

“We encourage our residents to find ways to lead healthy, happy and independent lives by understanding health risks and benefits and offering a range of lifestyle services to help people manage diet, substance abuse and sexual health. 2019 is Coventry and Warwickshire’s Year of Wellbeing which allows us to put extra focus on wellbeing, inspiring and empowering residents to be part of a more active and healthy community. We are also asking people to pledge a change that will positively impact their lives.”

Mr Selbie lent his support to the Year of Wellbeing by pledging to fight for recognition of Local Government leadership of the public’s health.”

Duncan Selbie, Chief Executive of Public Health England said:

“Warwickshire is a national exemplar in placing the public’s health at the heart of your policy and decision making and in constantly investing in constructive partnership working across your five districts, three CCGs, four hospitals and the third sector.

Highlighting the efforts throughout Warwickshire to promote good physical and mental health, Mr Selbie added:

“Warwickshire has strong school readiness numbers and your focus on the mental health and wellbeing of young people speaks to your firm understanding of this. For adults it is having a secure job and home and at all ages the importance of friendship and belonging in life.

“Essentially, economic growth creating new jobs that local people can get with health and wealth being two sides of the same coin.”

For more information about health and wellbeing services available across Warwickshire, visit: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/health

For more information about the Year of Wellbeing and to sign the pledge go to https://www.bettercarecovwarks.org.uk/year-of-wellbeing-2019/