Making the links between Environment and Health

Contribution to sustainable development and people’s quality of life:

Improved health is a vital part of a sustainable future. The Health and Environment Partnership in Greater Nottingham strategically identifies and addresses environmental causes of ill health through its networks and projects. 

Organisation: Health and Environmental Partnership Greater Nottingham

Sector: Partnership: Public, voluntary and private

Location: Greater Nottingham sub region

Start Date:HEP launched March 2007 following a merger of Nottingham Green Partnership and Nottingham Health Action Team 1997 

Duration: Ongoing

Summary:  The Helath and Environment Partnership wprks across many different sectors to identify and address environmental causes of ill health. This includes promoting the health and environment of people in Greater Nottingham, tackling health inequalities and addessing related economic issues with the Greater Nottingham Partnership.

HEP supports service development such as increasing energy efficiency in homes and organisations, promoting walking and cycling instead of car use and the consumption of healthy food from sustainable sources.

Background: 

The Health and Environment Partnership represents an integrated approach, which involves a range of organisations and initiatives, including:

• Two Primary Care Trusts - Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire Teaching PCT
• Six Local Authorities - Nottinghamshire County, Gedling, Rushcliffe, Broxtowe, Ashfield and Nottingham City
• Health in your Environment Voluntary Sector Forum
• Hospital and Ambulance trusts in Greater Nottingham
• Private Sector orgnaisations such as Browne Jackson 
• Local Strategic Partnerships
• Nottingham Trent University

The Partnership has supported the development of:

• The Local Agenda 21 Health strategy
• The healthy Housing Referral Service
• Food Initiatives Group
• Transport and Health Initiatives including Ridewise Cycling Training Service

Project results: A sample of some of the Group’s key achievements is given below.

The Local Agenda 21 Health Strategy includes sections on:

• meeting primary health care needs
• control of communicable diseases
• protecting vulnerable groups
• meeting the urban health challenge
• reducing health risks from environmental pollution and hazards
• Action chart
• Flow chart and Glossary

The development of the Food Initiatives Group (FIG,) encourages organisations and individuals to consume healthy, safe, affordable food from sustainable sources, including locally produced food and organic food. FIG has been successful in attracting New Opportunities funding for the local Five a Day initiatives.

The Healthy Housing Referal Service tackles fuel poverty by providing information and advice to people who need help keeping their homes warm in winter at a price they can afford.

Ridewise provides training to people wishing to cycle safely with confidence to national standards.

Keywords: Health, social inclusion, environment, public health, LA21, energy efficiency

Contact Details:

Helen Ross

Nottingham City Primary Care Trust

1 Standard Court

Park Row

Nottingham

NG1 6GN

Tel: 0115 845 4545 ext. 39555

E-mail: helen.ross@nottinghamcity-pct.nhs.uk

Web:

www.foodfig.org.uk;

www.ridewise.org.uk

www.change-works.com/clietns/hiye