Presentation from Professor Alan Walker to the Health and Wellbeing Board on the Fairness Commission and tackling health inequalities in Sheffield

1. Sheffield Fairness
Commission
Professor Alan Walker
Health and Wellbeing Board
12th December 2013

2. Today
1. Brief Recap of the Commission’s Work
2. Responses
3. Next Steps
2

3. No. 83 bus
• From Ecclesall to
Ecclesfield
• 66 minute journey
• Life Expectancy
in years by ward:
o Ecclesall 86.3
o Burngreave 76.9
o E. Ecclesfield 81.1
3

4. A Bold Vision
A city that is eventually free from damaging
disparities in living conditions and life
chances, and free from stigmatising
discrimination and prejudice, a place in
which every citizen and community knows
and feels that they will be treated fairly. We
aspire to be the fairest city in the country.
4

5. Sheffield Fairness Framework
1.
2.
Those in greatest need should take priority
Those with the most resources should make the
biggest contributions
3. The commitment to fairness must be a long-term one
4. The commitment to fairness must be city-wide
5. Prevention is better than cure
6. Be seen to act in a fair way as well as acting fairly
7. Civic responsibility for fairness
8. An open continuous campaign for fairness in the city
9. Fairness must be a matter of balance
10. The city’s commitment to fairness must be both
demonstrated and monitored in an annual report.
5

6. Themes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Health and Wellbeing for All
Fair Access to High Quality Jobs and Pay
Fair Access to Benefits and Credit
Aspiration and Opportunities for All
Housing and a Better Environment
A Safe City
Transport for All
What Communities and Citizens Can Do
6

7. Four Specific Targets Within the
Health Theme
• Tackling the wider determinants of poor
health
• Inequalities in the health system
• Mental health and Wellbeing
• Carers
7

8. Positive Responses
• Clinical Commissioning Group:
“fully supports the work of the Commission and
its recommendations. Contributing to reducing
health inequalities is one of our four priorities”
• Sheffield City Council
“We are committed to tackling health
inequalities and the public health strategy will
outline our planned actions to achieve this.”
8

9. Positive Responses II
• Sheffield Teaching Hospitals:
“very much welcomes the Fairness Commission
report both as an important contribution to
promoting health and wellbeing within the city
and because it aligns well with the Trust’s
strategy ‘Making a Difference’.”
• Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust
“welcomes the report and the Commission’s
vision … we endorse the principles”
9

10. Positive Responses III
Health and Wellbeing Strategy:
•Principle on fairness & tackling inequality
– “Fairness and tackling inequalities will
underpin all that we do.”
•Action
– “Those groups especially impacted by health
inequalities to have early support and
sensitive and appropriate services that meet
their needs and improve their health and
wellbeing”
10

11. Some questions
• Some recommendations not being picked
up. Gap analysis as part of the Annual
Review to look at which recommendations
need an owner.
• Have the fairness principles been
embedded? i.e. are they part of everyday
decision making?
11

12. Annual Review - February 2014
• Assessment one year on following
publication of the Commission’s Report:
• Are the principles being used?
• Are the recommendations being
implemented?
• Do the headline outcome indicators
show the city becoming fairer?
12

13. Summary
• Very positive responses to the Fairness
Commission report
• We all need to ensure that welcoming
words are turned into action
– Are you and your organisation using the
Fairness Framework in decision making?
– Are you going as far as you can, as fast as
you can, in trying to make Sheffield a fairer
city?
13

14. Challenge to the Health &
Wellbeing Board
“Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) members
must fully utilise their individual and collective
position, influence and resources to achieve
better health outcomes for Sheffielders in most
need. … The Board must act to address the
wider determinants, champion and challenge
Government and partners in the city (e.g.
employers) to contribute to a holistic approach
to wellbeing in Sheffield and stand up for the
city’s health needs.”
14