New centre launched to tackle health inequalities

A new health and wellbeing centre has been opened in Slaithwaite to help tackle local health inequalities.

Officials from Kirklees Council, the NHS, The Valleys Primary Care Network, Colne Valley Help and other organisations attended the launch of the Slaithwaite Health and Wellbeing Centre.

The new centre offers a ‘personalised care’ service which includes social prescribing and health and wellbeing coaching for people registered with local GP practices. People can access help to improve their health and wellbeing, tackle social isolation and loneliness and much more. Alongside this, a care co-ordination team will support people who require care at home. In the longer term, local community groups and anchor organisations will have the opportunity to use the free space to hold health and wellbeing activities for local residents.

Clr Musarrat Khan, Cabinet member for health and social care, said: “I am delighted to open this fantastic new facility for the residents of Slaithwaite. Tackling health inequalities is a key priority for Kirklees Council and I am pleased that our collaboration with NHS Property Services Ltd means that we can offer support on a place-based level to tackle local health issues. I would encourage local residents and community groups to take full advantage of this new space so people can improve their health and wellbeing and live well and more independently for longer.”

Rhea Horlock, head of corporate social responsibility at NHS Property Services, said: “We are delighted to be able to provide space for Kirklees Council to deliver their important services locally. We are committed to utilising our estate to promote community wellbeing through our social prescribing programme, and this partnership with the local council will help reduce strains on primary care over the winter and the coming years. Projects like these are key to building stronger communities which is why 70% of our spending is going to areas with high-medium deprivation in an effort to tackle health inequalities across England.”

Further information about Personalised Care is available on the Kirklees Council website: www.kirklees.gov.uk/personalised-care