Action on health problems

Action to improve the health of residents in Scarborough and Ryedale is being taken by the Clinical Commissioning Group for the area and NHS bosses.

A delivery plan covering the two districts says children living in poverty is “a significant issue” for the CCG in Scarborough because they are higher than the national average.

A report states: “The CCG has over 3,800 children living in poverty – low income families. Almost one in four residents in Scarborough district are economically inactive with some 6,000 being classified as ‘long term sick’.

“Scarborough Hospital is a cornerstone of local health services, much valued by local people for the services and job security it provides.” But it adds: “This local service experiences financial and workforce challenges. The small resident population of Scarborough and surrounding areas does not generate sufficient demand to provide enough income to build sustainable services, therefore we need to modernise services and change the way they are delivered and funded.”

Now the group has drawn up an action plan which includes helping people to manage their weight and to take part in stop-smoking programmes. A campaign has been launched to discourage pregnant women from smoking, and an adult integrated health and care system is being established.