North East Population Health Alliance set to address health needs in Aberdeenshire and Moray
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Organisations across Moray, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire will come together to address the health needs of people living in the area.
The North East Population Health Alliance (NEPHA) will work with Public Health Scotland to reduce inequalities, improve mental health and access to care.
The move comes following the impact of the Covid pandemic.
Next week elected members are expected to give the go ahead for Moray Council to sign their part of the agreement with the national body.
The local authority is one of nine members of the NEPHA that are committed to working together for the benefit of folk in the area.
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils, the three area health and social care partnerships, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and NHS Grampian are also members.
The organisations will share reprehensibility for the wellbeing of the population.
NEPHA’s vision is to have flourishing communities living fulfilled lives.
The agreement between NEPHA and the Public Health Scotland comes into force later this month, and will be in place for three years.
In his report Moray Council chief executive Roddy Burns said: “Scotland continues to face significant population health challenges.
“Stalling – and in some groups falling – health life expectancy, and pre-pandemic widening levels of inequality, further exacerbated by Covid 19.
“Additionally, the pandemic has further increased demand on health and care services.
“Improving health requires improved system sustainability and, even more critically, improved outcomes in the wider factors that create health – good early years, learning, jobs, income and supportive communities.”
Over the next 12 months the partnership will look at developing a common data governance system so relevant information can be found.
They will also commission and conduct research into particular health issues impacting people in the area.
A prevention strategy will be developed with the view of establishing health improvement targets.
And the group will look at addressing child poverty, drug use and eradicating homlessness.
Councillors meeting on Wednesday, August 23 are expected to give the go ahead for Mr Burns sign the agreement with the national health body.
