FAULDHOUSE AND THE BREICH VALLEY HEALTH INEQUALITIES REPORT
1.0 Introduction
A motion, tabled by Councillor Neil Findlay requesting information on how health inequalities in the ward are being addressed, was endorsed by the LAC at its meeting on 10 November 2009.
The terms of the motion are set out below:
‘Motion: Health Inequalities in West Lothian.
The recently published West Lothian Council community planning progress report (page 12) shows that there are 19 data zones in the worst 15% in Scotland within the health domain. Of these 19 the Fauldhouse and Longridge area has the lowest male life expectancy of 71.61 for males and second lowest for females at 76.41. This compares with Livingston Murieston at 81.83 for males and Bathgate west 84.97 for females. Areas of Stoneyburn, Addiewell, Polbeth and West Calder will be similar in their health profile but will not be highlighted due to the way in which these statistics are calculated.
Committee expresses its deep concern about these inequalities and instructs Council officers to liaise with its community planning partners to:-
Identify projects that will begin to address the health inequalities that exist in the Breich Valley
Bring back a detailed and costed report on the above within 6 months of this meeting
Identify areas of council spend that have been or are being targeted at reducing health inequalities i.e. where money is being taken from one geographical area and targeted at another with greater need.’
This paper is a response to the motion and reflects the range of activities, across the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) that are currently underway in the ward to address health inequalities.
2.0 National Context
Health inequalities can be defined as the differences found in various aspects of health between different groups in society. The major causes of health inequalities are related to socio-economic circumstances such as employment, income, housing and education. Diversity (age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation) and life circumstances interact and pose increased risks to health. People do not just live in poverty, they may also be a lone parent, may have a long-term disability that affects the work they can do, or live with discrimination which has an impact on their mental health.
1 The Scottish Government report ‘Equally Well’ (2008) outlined the approach required to address the inequalities in the health of people in Scotland. The report stated that these inequalities were unfair and unjust, because they are based on social structures and factors as described above. These inequalities mean that some people are more likely to be ill or have low levels of wellbeing and as a result, die younger than others. The report further concluded that “reducing such inequalities in health will play a significant part in creating a skilled, resilient population with the sense of wellbeing and control over their own lives, keen to look after their own health and able to participate in the economy and employment opportunities of the future.”
The report identified priorities where action was most needed to reduce inequalities in healthy life expectancy and wellbeing, as follows:
Priority 1: Children’s very early years, where inequalities may first arise and influence the rest of people’s lives.
Priority 2: The high economic, social and health burden imposed by mental illness, and the corresponding requirement to improve mental wellbeing.
Priority 3: The “big killer” diseases: cardiovascular disease and cancer. Some risk factors for these, such as smoking, are strongly linked to deprivation.
Priority 4: Drug and alcohol problems and links to violence that affect younger men in particular and where inequalities are widening.
As well as these priorities and taking account of the evidence about what causes inequalities in health, the Task Force agreed key principles to drive this work. These are:
Principle 1: Improving the whole range of circumstances and environments that offer opportunities to improve people’s life circumstances and hence their health.
Principle 2: Addressing the inter-generational factors that risk perpetuating Scotland’s health inequalities from parent to child, particularly by supporting the best possible start in life for all children in Scotland.
Principle 3: Engaging individuals, families and communities most at risk of poor health in services and decisions relevant to their health.
Principle 4: Delivering health and other public services that are universal, but also targeted and tailored to meet the needs of those most at risk of poor health.
A subsequent submission statement to the Joint Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities from COSLA and the Improvement Service (March 2010) demonstrates ongoing local authority support for the three social policies that are designed to create a fairer more equitable Scotland: Equally Well, the Early Years Framework and Achieving our Potential.
2 The UK government paper in 2003 Tackling Health Inequalities: A Programme for Action reviewed the evidence from the Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health, and identified that in order to achieve the targets and tackle the underlying determinants of inequalities, action would be required across government. Actions likely to have greatest impact over the long term are:
improvements in early years support for children and families improved social housing and reduced fuel poverty among vulnerable populations improved educational attainment and skills development among disadvantaged populations improved access to public services in disadvantaged communities in urban and rural areas, and reduced unemployment, and improved income among the poorest.
3.0 West Lothian Context
3.1 Single Outcome Agreement
In November 2009 the Community Planning Partnership agreed its Community Plan to cover the timeframe from 2010 to 2020. A key consideration in the adoption of the plan was the way in which the Single Outcome Agreement would align with it and be the instrument with which we would measure performance. The Community Planning Partnership commissioned work to establish a Golden Thread showing the links between the SOA and partners plans and strategies. The partners also agreed that they wished to focus on the 15 national outcomes and make links with the life stages work that has been ongoing.
The national outcomes of particular relevance to this report are:
we live longer, healthier lives we have tackled the significant inequalities in Scottish society.
3.2 Locality Plan
In November 2008, the Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley Local Area Committee approved the Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley Locality Plan for 2008 – 2011. The plan outlines three main priorities for the ward: employability, health and development challenges. The priorities were based on a statistical analysis of the ward aligned to the Single Outcome Agreement challenges, previous locality planning work and community engagement experiences and on-the-ground experiences of workers.
The Locality Plan is currently being implemented by Community Planning partners. Annual updates of the plan have and will continue to be tabled at the Local Area Committee.
The health priority is focused around substance misuse, poor diets and a lack of exercise. Poor diets and a lack of exercise are contributing to the poor health and low life expectancy in the area. This issue is magnified by the lack of availability of fresh fruit and vegetables for residents. Activities within the plan aim to address these issues locally.
3 3.3 Life Stage Programme
The overall aim of the West Lothian Life Stage Outcome Planning Programme is to enable the Community Planning Partnership to plan and deliver more effective interventions to tackle social inequalities and build successful communities across West Lothian. This provides a significant opportunity to do things differently, demonstrating a new, innovative way of developing Community Planning outcomes, achieving more flexibility in target setting and resource allocation to help us better achieve the outcomes we have set.
There are 3 main objectives for the Life Stages programme:
Reducing inequalities by targeting services at those most at risk Shifting resources ‘upstream’ and reinforcing a prevention approach Ensuing maximum impact from expenditure
The Early Years Life Stage’s target population is children under the age of 5 (and in particular those aged 0 – 3) who are living with a parent or carer with a substance misuse problem. The long term outcomes for this population are: children are ready to start nursery and school & parents and carers are responsive to their children’s developmental needs
The School Age Life Stage’s target population is children and young people at risk of failing to achieve their potential owing to serious adverse circumstances. The long term outcome for this population is: everyone’s life chances are maximised (by improving their educational attainment) to become successful learners, confidant individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors
The Young People in Transition Life Stage’s target population is young people between the ages of 14 to 25 in need of additional support to achieve positive transitions. The long term outcomes for this population is: our young people are successful learners, confident individuals, effective citizens and have a positive destination.
The Adults of Working Age Life Stage’s target population is adults aged 25 – 40 on a health related benefit and women returning to the job market. The long term outcome for this population is: every adult has the confidence, skills and ability to secure and sustain employment.
The Older People’s Life Stage’s target population is people over working age who are most at risk of poor health outcomes and low quality of life, particularly during times of transition. The long term outcome for this population is: older people live longer, healthier, more independent and fulfilling lives within a safe and supportive community.
Each long term outcome is underpinned by a number of SMART short term and medium term outcomes established though a process of logic modeling and based on local evidence and intelligence.
Each Life Stage has been piloted in a single ward in West Lothian. Early years in Armadale and Blackridge; school age in Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh; young people in transition in North Livingston; Working Age in
4 Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley and older people in Bathgate. Early indications are that the model has the potential to be rolled out across West Lothian and an implementation plan for Phase 3 is being drawn up by the Life Stage Programme Strategic Board. It is planned that the rolled out programme will focus on outcomes for children, young people and their families and will mean significant service redesign to make sure that impact is made.
4.0 Community Planning Partnership activity in Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley (Equally Well priorities)
4.1 Equally Well Priority 1: Early Years
4.1.1. Preparation for Parenting Programme in Fauldhouse
The multi-member ward of Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley is recognised as demonstrating poor health outcomes in comparison to other areas of West Lothian, particularly in the peri-natal period. Statistics indicate relatively high levels of maternal smoking during pregnancy, and particularly low breastfeeding rates. Engagement with parent education in the ante-natal period is poor, with less than a third of parents attending mainstream parent craft sessions. It is also recognised that those parents who would benefit most from antenatal support and education are least likely to access this service.
The West Lothian CHCP has been successful in obtaining Health Improvement Fund funding to develop and implement a pre-natal support and education programme aimed at parents in Fauldhouse and Stoneyburn, representing the largest centres of population in the ward.
The package comprises a ten week rolling programme, run on one half day per week throughout the year. The sessions address issues surrounding parenthood, including labour and birth, optimum nutrition including breastfeeding and healthy weaning practices, post-natal depression, smoking in pregnancy; activities to support the development of practical skills in prospective parents, and sessions aimed at supporting parents as individuals including income maximisation. To reduce stigmatisation the programme will be offered to all expectant families living in the area. Crèche facilities will be provided to allow second time parents to attend.
Those families recognised as being in particular need are also offered a family support worker who will be able to deliver specific parenting support to complement and enhance the input from the course.
The support and education programme is being delivered jointly by local health visitors, midwives and Sure Start, a West Lothian Council service targeting families with children under three. Presently Sure Start offer a similar length course for young first time mums, which has proved to be very popular. The Fauldhouse project offers a valuable opportunity to extend this successful concept to older, second time but equally vulnerable parents. Midwives will continue to deliver services which constitute their role in the care of a pregnancy in conjunction with the proposed programme.
5 Following the course, parents will be linked into the post-natal and parenting support offered by both health visitors and Sure Start, including individual and group work. Specific breastfeeding support will be offered by the West Lothian wide Breastfriends peer support programme.
A number of evaluation measures will be used to assess the impact of the programme including:
post-natal depression scores among participants pre and post course questionnaires assessing knowledge and confidence in parenting breastfeeding and smoking in pregnancy statistics pre and post course questionnaires assessing changes in diet self assessed healthy weaning practices additional income gained.
At present, we are engaged in formulating the course and recruiting participants for the first course. A temporary venue for the course has been secured. Long-term it is anticipated that the new Partnership Centre will be used. In line with the agreed action plan, the first course sessions will be delivered in December.
Key Partners and Resources include local health visitors, midwives, community mental health services and Sure Start. Funding is from Health Improvement Fund £19,800 per annum for three years from 2009 – 2012.
(Ref: FBV LAC report: Perinatal Health 03/02/2009)
4.1.2. Breakfast Clubs
Breakfast clubs provide children with a free or subsidised meal either in a school or community based setting to address the nutritional, dental, social and educational needs of school-aged children. In addition to breakfast provision, a breakfast club involves the pupils, school, parents and the wider community and underpins the goals of a health promoting school. Breakfast clubs provide a safe environment and offer a variety of activities such as tooth brushing, physical activities, music and help with homework when life circumstances can mean this may not always be possible at home.
Children form trusting relationships with staff and get to know pupils in other years leading to problems being identified and a reduction in bullying. As well as benefiting health and educational needs, breakfast clubs may also benefit children and parents/carers by providing care before school starts in the morning. It has been suggested that this may lead to improvements in attendance, punctuality and behaviour, as well as eating and dental hygiene habits.
The programme aims to:
provide breakfast for children who might start the school day without having eaten establish a positive relationship at the start of the school day, helping to reduce lateness or poor attendance and improve attitude, behaviour, and motivation to learn
6 offer healthy eating choices, providing the opportunity for children to sample and develop preferences for healthy options.
The specific aim for the Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley ward is to support the development of breakfast clubs in the area. A needs assessment for a breakfast club carried was carried out in Fauldhouse at the Fayre in September 2009. A need was not identified and no clubs have been operating in the area to date. However, this has now been superseded by West Lothian Council’s decision to deliver breakfast clubs in 24 priority areas. Clubs will open in Falla Hill, St John the Baptist and Breich primary schools as part of a free breakfast initiative for P1-3’s.
Breakfast clubs operate in the following schools:
Stoneyburn Primary (allocation of £1,500 from 2007 to date) Parkhead Primary (allocation of £1,000 from 2006 to date) Addiewell/St Thomas Primaries (combined allocation of £1,800 from 2003 to date).
Breakfast clubs are evaluated on the following criteria:
nutritional outcomes (required to meet the regulations outlined in the Schools Health Promotion and Nutrition Scotland Act 2007) educational outcomes (children more able to learn and improved performance in class) social outcomes (children happier, less bullying) targeting of Vulnerable children (vulnerable children given a reduced cost breakfast/ supported to attend the clubs; breakfast clubs in schools in areas of multiple deprivation/ with high free school meal entitlement).
An evaluation of the breakfast club programme was carried out in November 2009 in a sample of 12 clubs. The sample included Stoneyburn Primary, Parkhead Primary and the combined Addiewell/St Thomas Primary club. The results showed that children benefited from a healthy breakfast, safe environment, social interaction and improved punctuality at school. Parents benefited from getting to work/college on time, they were less stressed in the morning and some commented that children eat at the breakfast club but not at home. The school benefited from improved punctuality, improved attendance, improved behaviour, improved concentration in class. The breakfast club was seen to be an integral part of the health and wellbeing of the school. The West Lothian breakfast clubs provide food and drink that meet the nutritional regulations along with participation in tooth brushing and physical activities.
The breakfast club programme is delivered in partnership with Education Services, Health Improvement Team, Catering Services, School Nurse Service, Community and Regeneration team and Children and Young People’s Team.
7 Grant funding for breakfast clubs is available for schools, particularly those in areas of multiple deprivation and this would include the Fauldhouse and Breich Valley ward area. These criteria will change to complement the Education services provision mentioned above and will be implemented by August 2010.
4.1.3. Healthy Tuck Shops
Nearly half of 11-15-year-olds in Scotland don't eat breakfast every day, meaning the snacks that many children eat mid-morning, such as crisps and chocolate, are often the first thing they eat in a day. This makes it all the more important that break time snacks are healthy and that the school tuck shop sells healthier choices.
Healthy tuck shops aim to:
increase children’s fruit, vegetable and healthy food intake develop “a whole school, whole day” approach to food and drink involve everyone in running the tuck shop work in partnership with local suppliers link with the school curriculum help schools meet the requirements of the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act.
All schools in Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley ward have a healthy tuck shop:
Fallahill Primary Our Lady’s Primary St John the Baptist Primary Addiewell Primary St Thomas’ Addiewell Longridge Primary Parkhead Primary Stoneyburn Primary St Mary’s Polbeth West Calder High School. Whitburn Academy.
All healthy tuck shops must meet the regulations outlined in the Schools Health Promotion and Nutrition Scotland Act (2007).
The key partners are Health Improvement Team, Education Service and Catering Service. A jointly funded part-time temporary post was created in May 2009 to support the integration of the Schools Health Promotion and Nutrition Scotland Act (2007) across all schools in West Lothian. The Community Health Development Officer (School Food) post is funded until March 2011 from Health Improvement fund (HIF) and Education Services.
8 4.2 Equally Well Priority 2: Mental Wellbeing
4.2.1. Choose Life
Choose Life is a ten-year national strategy with the ultimate goal of reducing the suicide rate in Scotland by 20% by 2013 It is part of the government’s National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Well-being. Being part of this programme helps to ensure that suicide prevention is fully integrated into the wider health, social inclusion and well-being agenda.
At present, local Choose Life co-coordinators are not contacted when a suicide has occurred. Data on undetermined deaths is obtained through the Public Health Observatory when they are available for general release (these figures can be up to 18 months old). A regional suicide surveillance group has been established in West Lothian and an application has been made to the Procurator Fiscal requesting timely notification of any deaths by undetermined intent within Lothian. The request for this information would assist in identifying patterns of behaviour and allow targeted postvention intervention within localities and support to those affected by suicide. Due to the sensitive nature of this information and as the numbers are so small there remain issues around confidentially and identification of individual cases.
The Service Development Officer (Choose Life) has established links with the Fauldhouse Community Development Trust and has attended events to raise awareness of Suicide Prevention training and activities.
A suicide awareness session took place in April 2009, for staff of Fauldhouse Health Centre.
A range of suicide awareness raising and suicide prevention training sessions are advertised in the Fauldhouse area and are available free of charge to anyone living or working in West Lothian. These include:
SafeTALK: ½ day Suicide Alertness Training ASIST: 2 day Suicide Intervention Skills Training SMHFA: 2 day Scottish Mental Health First Aid Training ASIST TUNE UP: ½ day refresher for those trained in ASIST 2 or more years ago.
A series of events and activities takes place annually within West Lothian to mark Suicide Prevention Week and Mental Health Day. These are advertised widely throughout West Lothian. These complement Choose Life’s “Don’t hide it. Talk about it “campaign, which calls on everyone to talk more openly about suicide to help save lives.
An annual memorial service is held in within West Lothian during Suicide Prevention Week for those touched by suicide.
During the financial year 2009/10, in partnership with our colleagues within the CHCP, the West Lothian Council Health Improvement Team made the following courses available:
SMHFA: 47 individuals attended over four courses in April, August and September 2009, and in February 2010.
9 SafeTALK: 15 SafeTALK sessions were delivered, training a total of 201 people in suicide alertness skills.
ASIST: 6 ASIST sessions (April, May, September and November 2009, and January and March 2010). In addition to the ASIST courses, 2 Tune-Up sessions were also held allowing people who have completed ASIST 2 or more years ago to refresh their skills and review how they have used ASIST training since completing the full ASIST course. Each course was well attended and a total of 149 participants were trained over the course of the year. The licence agreement within the training packages contains restrictions regarding the minimum number of participants that courses can be delivered to and duration of sessions. The suitability of venues has to be taken into consideration. Some of the courses require more than one room, and requires access and facilities to deliver presentation in DVD format. The nature of the topic also limits types/ times of venues that can be utilised due to noise or disruption from other venue users. The programme is delivered within existing Health improvement team budgets.
Choose Life West Lothian continues to provide awareness training to Probationary Police constables within Fettes Police College. In conjunction with the Scottish Drug Forum we arranged for a drug overdose awareness session and a drug overdose training for trainers’ session to be held in West Lothian and for a Living Life to The Full course to be delivered by Depression Alliance Scotland.
(REF: F&BV LAC Report: Suicide and Self Harm 12 November 2008)
4.3 Equally Well Priority 3: CHD, Stroke and Cancer
4.3.1 Eatright West Lothian
This programme aims to prioritise food and health interventions for children, young people and communities and to tackle associated health inequalities through the local Food and Health Action plan.
The main focus of the Food and Health Action Plan is to implement programmes that aim to improve the uptake of healthy food choices within the population.
The overall aims of the action plan are to:
raise awareness of the benefits of eating a healthy diet tackle the barriers associated with eating a healthy diet (e.g. access to and the costs of healthy food and the skills to prepare them) target initiatives to improve the nutritional intake in specific priority groups develop training programmes and resources to suit the needs of professionals and those working with local communities contribute to the development and implementation of policies that underpin food and health promotion.
10 Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley ward is included as a target area. The implementation of the Food and Health Action plan is overseen by the West Lothian Food and Health Steering group who receive funding from the Scottish Executive Health Improvement Fund (SEHIF). A Food and Health Development Officer co-ordinates the work in the Action Plan. The ongoing success of the project since its outset in 2001 has secured a further three years funding of £75,000 from SEHD and £25,000 from Education Services to Support Breakfast Clubs.
4.3.2. Health Promoting Establishment scheme
In the Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley ward area, a Health Promoting Establishment (HPE) pilot will be supported in the new partnership centre, including the café having healthy food options available. This will tackle some of the barriers associated with eating a healthy diet. The HPE award covers four elements: breastfeeding, healthy eating, food hygiene and health improvement. Training will be provided for staff in all areas of food and health.
£6,000 has been set aside for 2010/11 from the Health Improvement Fund budget for costs associated with the pilot. Should the pilot prove successful, specific funding will be applied for from 2011-2014.
4.3.3. Food Initiatives
The Community Health Development Officer (Food Initiatives) is working in Addiewell to expand the Pitstop Food Co-op by offering elderly/infirm home delivery service and to start a new food co-op from the community education centre with primary school kids operating a food co-op on a Friday. This will be managed by community education centre management committee. The Community Health Development Officer (Food Initiatives) is also working with Our Lady's RC Primary School and the Voluntary Sector Gateway to develop a small allotment scheme.
A development budget of £4,500 has been agreed from Health Improvement fund for to cover the targeted food initiatives work.
4.3.4. West Lothian on The Move/Put Your West Foot Forward
West Lothian on the Move was established in September 2001 after a successful funding application to NHS Lothian’s Health Improvement Fund (HIF). Annually, the project receives £75,000 from HIF and £25,000 from the 3 separate council directorates (Social Policy, Education and Environment). The aim of the project is to encourage inactive people within West Lothian to participate in moderate intensity activities e.g. through activities such as brisk walking, in order to improve their health and well-being. The project has a particular focus in working with those experiencing health inequalities.
The West Lothian On The Move Strategy outlines the strategic framework for physical activity in West Lothian through the development of a multi-agency Alliance. The members of this Alliance manage the expenditure of the funding and oversee the implementation of the Strategy.
11 The implementation of the West Lothian on the Move Strategy is facilitated through six sub groups, consisting of key stakeholders as represented within the Alliance. These groups promote joint working across traditional boundaries, sharing the agenda of physical activity.
A full time Physical Activity Development Officer supports and co-ordinates the work of the Alliance and sub groups.
The main strategic objectives are:
to increase levels of physical activity across the life stages, particularly among the sedentary population as that is where the most significant health gains can be made to increase the number of opportunities available for participation in health enhancing physical activity to establish sustainable partnerships concerned with physical activity and health promotion to increase education and training opportunities for those involved in the promotion of health enhancing physical activity ensure the inclusion of physical activity through the community planning process and associated service plans.
Put Your West Foot Forward is an initiative of the Alliance to promote and encourage walking as a physical activity amongst the least active population of West Lothian. A walking group started In September 2009 which meets every Tuesday at 2pm at St Andrew's Church Hall, Fauldhouse. There are 8 people who come regularly and it is hoped that the membership will build over the coming months. Walking routes have been included in the design for the Partnership centre.
An Exercise Referral Scheme is in operation through GP practices across West Lothian. This programme extends into Addiewell where individuals can receive a free 12-week membership for the Pitstop Fitness Centre and are supported by staff from West Lothian Leisure.
4.4 Equally Well Priority 4: Drugs and Alcohol
4.4.1 Drug and Alcohol Alcohol Reduction Project
The alcohol reduction project is one of a number of initiatives funded through the Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (TADP) (previously DAT) to reduce alcohol use in West Lothian. The project is a community based, whole population approach targeting three communities where there are strong indications of alcohol misuse. These are the village cluster of Addiewell, Loaganlea and Stoneyburn; the town of Armadale; and the Knightsridge area of Livingston.
A marketing / communications company, Thinktastic, has been commissioned to develop alcohol reduction messages based on engagement and consultation in each of the communities. The project aims to achieve the following outcomes as a result of the implementation of the prevention/reduction project pilots:
12 reduction in availability of alcohol in the targeted community reduction in alcohol consumption reduction in alcohol-related police calls reduction in alcohol-related admissions to A&E increase in the average age of first alcoholic drink for under 18s improved attitudes to alcohol consumption of young people and parents increase attitudinal change towards the harmful use of alcohol increased community involvement in prevention activities.
A survey has been distributed to every house in the three communities; the results are currently being collated. The survey will be repeated in 2010 and 2011 to get a before, during and after (the campaign) snapshot of opinions on the affect of alcohol use / misuse in the area.
Within Addiewell/Loganlea and Stoneyburn the project coordinator and social marketing team have been working with all the schools in the area, designing posters, recording a drama production, holding parents information events and collecting the student’s messages. In addition to work with the school a session is planned for Early Years Centre in Addiewell. This will enable the parents to impute into the process.
A piece of work has been undertaken with a 50+ group in Addiewell around how they feel the community could benefit from the project. The group felt that having more involvement with the children in the community would benefit not only the individual but the community as a whole making both generations feel safer within their community.
In Stoneyburn on going work at the Wee Croft is underway with the local youth groups based in the area. The focus of the sessions is to look at life plans, how alcohol fits in and how no-one plans on alcohol being a dominant part of their life.
The official launch of the campaign will be held May. Throughout the month of May, to mark the launch of the campaign, a number of small events will be held in Addiewell/Loganlea and Stoneyburn.
(Ref:F&BV LAC report: Alcohol and Drug Issues; 23/04/2009)
5.0 Community Planning Partnership activity in Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley (Equally Well principles)
5.1 Equally Well Principle 1: Improving the whole range of circumstances and environments that offer opportunities to improve people’s life circumstances and hence their health.
5.1.1 Fauldhouse Partnership Centre
The new health and community centre will be an example of good practice in partnership working and will incorporate:
13 two GP practices and associated community services two chair dental surgery pharmacy swimming pool library creche learning suite food co-op health and fitness suite café community Information Service sports hall police community youth room all weather pitches.
Staff from the HIT conducted a Health Impact Assessment on the new centre and made recommendations to ensure that the design and space maximised the health benefits for the community.
The café in the centre will work towards the nationally recognised Healthy Living Award and will be a pilot for the West Lothian Health Promoting establishments award that will require a commitment to and promotion of healthy eating, being breast feeding friendly and involvement in health improvement activities.
5.1.2. Housing Services
Central heating upgrades have been carried out in a number of properties across Fauldhouse. Central heating work for 2010/11 has still to be confirmed.
Major upgrades continue in the Bents area, providing external insulation and new pitched roofs to crosswall construction houses. A feasibility study is looking at options for further upgrading the area by addressing the flats which are in poor condition. Upgrades are ongoing in Church Place Longridge, with the replacement of the roofs. A major repair programme begins in 2010 to Moorelands and Moorelands gardens in Addiewell and also in Loganlea. Briar Cottages in Stoneyburn will also be upgraded with roof replacement and render repairs. This will begin a 3 year programme in Cuthill of roof and roughcast repairs.
Internal upgrades in 2009 and 2010 are ongoing in the areas listed below. For most houses this entails handrails, where they are needed and external lights, but also testing of the electrical system and upgrades of the electrical consumer units where required, repairs to doors and windows where required. A full list is in the capital book.
14 Church Place Fauldhouse Harthill Road Fauldhouse Badallan Place Fauldhouse Bridge Street Fauldhouse Eldrick Avenue Fauldhouse Eldrick Crescent Fauldhouse Greenwell Street Fauldhouse North Road Fauldhouse Sheephousehill Fauldhouse Park View Fauldhouse Park View Fauldhouse Stewart Drive Fauldhouse Dyke Road Fauldhouse
5.2 Equally Well Principle 2: Addressing the inter-generational factors that risk perpetuating Scotland’s health inequalities from parent to child, particularly by supporting the best possible start in life for all children in Scotland.
5.2.1. Education Services
West Lothian Council developed a Health Policy for Schools in 2008 (Appendix 2). This policy outlined the following vision:
‘In West Lothian Council we will strive to ensure that all schools are health promoting schools where health is placed at the heart of successful learning and teaching.’
The Health Promotion and Nutrition (Schools) (Scotland) Act 2007 places a legislative duty on all local authorities to be health promoting. This act demonstrates the importance of the health promoting school as an essential component in improving the health and wellbeing of the nation’s population.
West Lothian Council seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of all by working with key partners and involving the community to ensure that all schools are health promoting schools. The policy provides details of the monitoring and evaluation procedures. Schools are required to have a Health Programme in line with Curriculum for Excellence, putting Health and Wellbeing at the heart of the Curriculum.
St John The Baptist primary school strives to encourage healthy eating by running a Mega Health tuck shop organised by a group of P7 pupils. Pupils can buy fruit, water and fruit juice. The school has purchased a cooker and utensils to further develop the healthy diet as part of the curriculum. Several members of staff have under taken food hygiene training. In summer term 2010, an after school jog/walk club will commence and all pupils and parents are invited to join. As part of mental health and well-being activities there are social skills group meetings for pupils with low self-esteem. All pupils have 2 hours PE every week. The school is seeking Active Schools Charter Mark status and has been awarded the Green Flag (Eco).The nursery class is planning a vegetable growing project in partnership with Crofthead Nursing Home.
15 In Falla Hill Primary P7 pupils run a healthy tuck shop called 'Treat a Trolley' and are looking to develop this using Fairtrade sources.
The school runs Social Skills groups for identified pupils to work on self- esteem, relationships and anger management.
An annual Health Week is organised where pupils can try out different sports and take part it healthy living workshops. Throughout the session, a variety of After School Clubs with a health focus are offered. The school has a visiting specialist input for hockey and works with Whitburn Academy to bring Sportsleaders in to school to work with P4 & P6, delivering hockey, basketball and athletics.
The school is working towards achieving the Active Schools Charter and the Eco School's Green Flag. Sex education is now being taught in P5, P6 and P7 with parents being fully informed about the content of courses. Parents are welcome to view materials and discuss content with staff. Internet safety is included in Personal Safety work, using Keeping myself e-safe and CEOP materials.
5.3 Equally Well Principle 3: Engaging individuals, families and communities most at risk of poor health in services and decisions relevant to their health.
5.3.1. Health Issues in the Community
The Health Issues in the Community course is a nationally recognised training course that enables participants to explore and understand the educational, social, political and community development processes that are involved in addressing health issues in the community. The course explores the social determinants of health and aims to:
build individual and group skills and confidence develop good practice in community development and health provide more accessible routes into learning and employment.
The course is evaluated in accordance with the Community Health Exchange (CHEX) national evaluation strategy.
Health Issues in the Community (HIIC) taster sessions were delivered at Eastfield training centre in 2009. This led to the Community Health Development Officer (Health Issues in the Community) working with Fauldhouse Community Development Trust and key workers from the Communities Team to promote HIIC to local people they meet through the door knocking programme. A taster session has been delivered to the Monday Club, a self help group for women who are experiencing mental health issues, particularly depression and anxiety and work is ongoing with them to support their activities.
Key partners and resources include the Health Improvement Team, Community Learning and Development, NHS Lothian, Community Regeneration and CHEX.
16 The Community Health Development Network, a sub-group of the Community Planning Partnership, has agreed funding for the group of £1,300 to learn the skills of relaxation and basic massage. The group will learn these skills and be able to offer sessions to new members experiencing similar mental health issues.
5.4 Equally Well Principle 4: Delivering health and other public services that are universal, but also targeted and tailored to meet the needs of those most at risk of poor health.
5.4.1. Dental Services
The Salaried Primary Care Dental Service is included in the Fauldhouse Partnership Centre and will provide dental care from 2 surgeries for:
anyone with a physical or learning disability who has difficulty accessing care in general dental practice anyone with a medically compromising condition who has difficulty accessing care in general dental practice any child whose family cannot or will not take them to a dentist anyone with mental illness who has difficulty accessing care in general dental practice anyone whose fear of dentistry discourages them from seeking dental treatment.
6.0 Targeted Spend
Included in the description of activities is information regarding funding of specific initiatives in the Fauldhouse and Breich Valley area where it is possible to disaggregate spend on a geographical basis.
The Life Stage Programme adopted by the Community Planning Partnership is committed to targeting resources at areas most in need and has been agreed in principle by all partners. Under the auspices of this programme, partnership services are reviewing their services with a view to redistribution of resources according to priority.
7.0 Conclusion
The Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley ward area is acknowledged as a geographical area of need, with the population at risk of poor health outcomes. A significant level of intervention is underway to support local residents to address their health issues across all life stages in accordance with the priorities and principles of the Equally Well national policy. Services are currently reviewing their resource allocation in line with legislative duties and within budget constraints, with a view to an effective targeting of resources across West Lothian.
Kate Marshall Jane Kellock
4 May 2010
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