One local and two national initiatives have influenced the direction the Community Planning Partnership has taken in regard to the health of its citizens:
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NHS Forth Valley has undertaken a public consultation on the siting and provision of its hospital and community services.
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the Scottish Executive required Community Health Partnerships to be established from 1 April 2005
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the Scottish Executive now requires Councils to lead on the development of a Joint Health Improvement Plan for each Council area
The siting of the new hospital in Larbert
The review and subsequent development of the Healthcare Strategy led to the siting of the acute hospital in Larbert, and the reorganisation of services between the Stirling and Falkirk sites. The development of our Community Health Partnership (evolving from the Local Health Care Co-operative) and the establishment of the Public Patient Forum is a major achievement, that will lead not only to improved co-ordination of Health and Social Care Services but also a greater emphasis on health improvement. The Joint Health Improvement Plan (JHIP) shows how partners will successfully work in partnership to improve the health of all individuals living in our communities.
Joint Health Improvement Plan
There have been many wide ranging achievements emanating from the Joint Health Improvement Plan covering healthy eating, tobacco and substance misuse, physical activity and community wellbeing. In relation to the promotion of healthy eating the Forth Valley fruit and vegetable van is now in operation, with the Hungry for Success project now operating in 80% of primary schools. Initiatives relating to tobacco and substance misuse include the Smokebusters programme, which is running successfully in selected secondary schools.
There is a pharmacy programme for smokers aged 14 and above and the Breath of Fresh Air programme is working with employers and employees. Midwives who are working with pregnant women, to help them stop smoking, are receiving specialist training in smoking cessation techniques. There is also one out of hours service for cessation in Falkirk. The Smoking Cessation clinic targets people on low income and benefits.
Achievements in relation to physical activity include the GP referral scheme and funding being used to roll out the scheme. The Paths to Health project has also been rolled out and is linked to the GP referral scheme. The Falkirk Green Map is going out to Health Centres and libraries. The Active Schools Strategy is in place for Primary Schools, the Healthy Weight Strategy is being developed and progress is being made on the Physical Activity Strategy.
Community wellbeing achievements include self-help resources for moderate mental health problems located within GP surgeries. Workplace policies on bullying/stress are in place in Health and local authority employers.