Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty visits Northumberland as part of rural report research
Northumberland County Council recently welcomed the Chief Medical Officer for England to discuss the importance of supporting health in a rural environment.
Professor Chris Whitty visited the county to carry out research towards his next annual report on Health of Small Towns and Rural Areas.
He took part in a series of meetings at Hexham Mart exploring some of the work carried out to support the farming community, followed by a visit to Haltwhistle Community Hub exploring the efforts underway to tackle inequalities relating to rural economy and housing.
Reflecting on the day, Professor Whitty said: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit Northumberland and to hear about the excellent work of the public health team and local partners across the county.
“While rural and coastal areas have unique natural assets, large distances and dispersed populations can pose significant challenges to delivering both preventative and healthcare services. I was impressed by the passionate and creative ways the team are meeting these challenges.”
Council leader Glen Sanderson said: “Often people think that living in the countryside is healthier, but this does not tell the whole story – there are wide variations within rural and urban areas.
“With an older population on average living in rural areas, loneliness and isolation can become an issue as people age. And for anyone who doesn’t have access to a car or public transport, simply getting around and accessing local amenities can become a challenge.
“We’re working hard in Northumberland to tackle inequalities and there’s some great work already underway. But there’s lots more that needs to be done and by working in collaboration with partners, we aim to help our residents live long, healthier and happier lives.”
Northumberland’s director of public health, Gill O’Neill, recently released her latest annual report that explores the county’s rural communities and the unique challenges this brings in supporting the health of residents.
She said: “Rurality can shape how people access services and navigate daily life. It influences factors such as housing, employment, transport and education.
“We’re delighted that we were able to welcome Chris to see our beautiful county and to have the chance to discuss the challenges that rural inequality can bring.”