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When every piece fits
A study has been launched to find out more about the health and well-being of people in Hull.
There are many factors that contribute to someone's health, well-being and quality of life.
And now a project has been launched to look at the needs of Hull residents, including cutting the risk of developing illnesses and accessing exercise in the neighbourhoods where they live.
The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) will look to identify where the gaps are in services and support for people, and what can be done for those whose needs are not being met at the moment.
Satisfaction
Taking part in the JSNA are Hull City Council, the Hull Teaching Primary Care Trust and other statutory, voluntary and community organisations from across the city.
They will share information and knowledge and work in partnership to find out the needs and preferences of local communities.
"The best way of describing JSNA is that it is like a huge jigsaw," said Ken Pugh, a spokesman for Hull City Council's community care services.
"We are looking at how the jigsaw pieces fit together to give people an overall sense of well-being.
We need to see what bits of the jigsaw are missing and how we put them all together to provide effective local services and support.
"By working together we will get a much better picture of health and well-being in Hull.
"While we are already providing a wide range of services, the information we gather will help us reduce the gaps in service provision and plan for the future.
"Wherever people live - whether it's Gipsyville, the Avenues, Stoneferry, Marfleet, Sculcoates, Newland Park or any other neighbourhood in Hull - we will find out how we can best improve the full range of health and council services residents receive." The JSNA is a continuous and open dialogue to make Hull a better, healthier and more satisfying place to live.
It will also work in co-operation with the Hull People's Panel, which has more than 4,600 members who are local people from all walks of life who take part in surveys by phone, post, fax or online to give their views on improving services.
Bridging the gap
Another aim of the JSNA is to reduce some of the health inequalities that are known to be a feature of life in the city.
On average, more Hull residents die an early death (below the age of 75) compared to residents in the East Riding, and there are higher rates of smoking-related diseases (such as cancer, heart disease and stroke) in Hull than in many other parts of the country.
"The JSNA is a positive development for the city," said Dr Andrew Taylor, the assistant director of public health sciences for the Hull Teaching Primary Care Trust.
"It will help us work together to have a lasting impact on health and well-being in Hull."
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Engaging local people in a discussion is essential to producing a good JSNA, and so readers of Hull in print can give their views about what should be done to promote the health and well-being of residents in the city.
You can write to Hull in print, Hull City Council, the Guildhall, Alfred Gelder Street, Hull, HU1 2AA, or email your comments to hullinprint@hullcc.gov.uk and your views will be fed into the process.
Future editions of Hull in print will include follow-up stories and updates about the JSNA to let you know how it's shaping up and how you can continue to get involved.
For more information please visit www.hullcc.gov.uk
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