New Health and Wellbeing Strategy set for approval

Stoke-on-Trent will have "an unrelenting focus on increasing preventative activity" if a new health and wellbeing strategy is approved.

The draft document of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-28 promises a permanent shift towards investment in activities that help people to stay well and prevent avoidable health problems.

The strategy is aimed at tackling a number of key challenges in the city such as improving healthy life expectancy, infant mortality rates, and supporting the safe reduction of the number of children in care.

In addition, it will also look to improve the poor levels of physical and mental health that have social and economic impacts on residents, as they prevent people living full lives or accessing jobs and training.

The strategy’s targets include ensuring children reach and sustain a healthy weight, reducing repeat hospital admissions among young people for long-term conditions like asthma and diabetes and reducing premature deaths among the under 75s, whilst supporting older people to live actively and independently.

Councillor Lynn Watkins, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “This strategy promises significant investment when tackling the key health challenges facing Stoke-on-Trent and will be important in our efforts to build a healthier city and reduce health inequalities.

“It is important residents’ experience is at the centre of helping to shape future care and support and that they know how to access services that will improve their health.

“By supporting independent living and prevention, this strategy won’t just offer the best health outcomes but also give people the greatest opportunity to thrive economically too."

The Strategy will go to the council's ruling cabinet this month. If approved, it will go to full council for final sign off.