In order to address health inequalities and promote wellbeing it is important to identify the factors that affect the communities within south Belfast. See figure 1: Dahlgren and Whitehead, 1991 Figure 1: Dahlgren and Whitehead, 1991, Social Determinants of Health Chart Health inequalities are mainly related to: Socio-economic, environmental circumstances (jobs, housing, education, transport etc) Lifestyle(such as diet, smoking, social networks) and health behaviour, Access to effective health and social care (1) Current South Belfast Health Context To address the health inequalities and promote wellbeing it is necessary to outline the current south Belfast context, including its health profile. South Belfast consists of eleven electoral Wards - Ballynafeigh, Blackstaff, Botanic, Finaghy, Malone, Musgrave, Rosetta, Shaftesbury, Stranmillis, Upper Malone and Windsor, with a population of 65,330 individuals (2001 Census). See figure 2 below showing the South Belfast Area Partnership Boundary. Figure 2: Map of Belfast Area Partnership Boundary The perception of South Belfast is generally one of wealth through the location of some of the most affluent areas in NI in the area. Hidden within this image are a number of inner-city communities suffering from significant deprivation and social and economic disadvantage. See graph 1 showing Noble Rank Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measures (NIMDM) and Health Domain of the 11 South Belfast Wards 2010 (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency) Graph 1: NIMDM and Health Domain of the 11 South Belfast Wards 2010 (1= worst, 582=best) The of disadvantage has been recognised through the establishment of two Neighbourhood Renewal Areas. These include: West Belfast comprising of the Village, Donegall Road and Sandy Row south comprising of the Markets area, Donegall Pass and Lower Ormeau
Increased awareness and communication of health activities across SB Increased cooperation and sharing of resources other relevant statutory organisations 2.3. Engage with and support the local health actions from the South West (SW) and Inner South (IS) Health and Wellbeing subgroups and the other 2 areas of Public Health Agency – Taughmonagh and Ballynafeigh and Black Minority Ethnic (BME) Regular meetings with all of the 4 areas Developed links and improved working relationships between all areas Strategic Health Development Officer (SHDO), SW & IS, Taughmonagh and Ballynafeigh and BME 2.4. Identify Belfast wide health issues Co-ordinated, appropriate collective actions and responses to the identified Belfast wide health issues SHDO, South Belfast community & voluntary organisations & other relevant statutory organisations 2. 5. Develop links with South Belfast GP’s GP involvement in relevant SB targeted initiatives GP involvement in the Health and Wellbeing Forum SHDO, South Belfast GP’s & PCP’s 2.6. Build stronger working relationships with South Belfast Pharmacists Improved working relationships with SB Pharmacists Exploration of new initiatives under the Community Pharmacy Partnership Programme SHDO, South Belfast Pharmacists & PCP’s 2.7. Implementation of the ‘pilot phase’ within the Greater Village Area of the Completion of the URBACT II programme pilot for South Belfast SHDO, Greater Village Regeneration
‘Good for Regeneration Good for Health’ URBACT II programme Transfer of learning to other communities in South Belfast & Windsor Women’s Centre 2.8. Further develop opportunities linked to the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for South Belfast Input into the SRF with agreed opportunities for South Belfast South Belfast Partnership Board 2.9. Participate in and ensure community input into the South Belfast Primary Care Partnership (PCP) Pilot Engagement and input into the South Belfast PCP Pilot e.g. workshops, training sessions. Fostered links with South Belfast GP’s and Pharmacists Strategic Health Development Officer (SHDO), community organisations, PCP’s, GP’s & Pharmacists 2.10. Foster links with the Local Commissioning Group (LCG) strategic health and wellbeing focus across South Belfast Engagement in the monthly LCG Public Meetings with a South Belfast focus Improved working relationships with LCG Belfast members Alignment of Belfast health themes with the Belfast LCG SHDO, LCG and community organisations 3. Build strategic links with relevant health initiatives across all of Belfast 3.1. Identify and showcase relevant examples of local good practice to a wider audience Showcase events to illustrate local good practice attended by key stakeholders SHDO, South Belfast community & voluntary organisations & other relevant statutory organisations 3.2. To keep informed of new policies, strategies and consultations Fully informed of new policies, strategies and consultation Compilation of relevant responses for dissemination to the Health and Wellbeing Forum members SHDO
3.3. To build upon the working relationships and the strategic health and wellbeing focus across Belfast with the Belfast Area Partnership Health Officers in East, West, North and Greater Shankill Monthly meetings with all Officers Improved relationships with the Belfast Area Partnerships (BAP’s) Health Officers Joint working across BAP’s SHDO 3.4. To participate in the Community Planning Health Pilot across Belfast Quarterly Steering Group meetings South Belfast health priorities are reflected in the City-Wide Community Planning Plan Strategic Health Development Officer (SHDO) 3.5. To upon working relationships with the Belfast Health Development Unit Improved working relationships with BHDU with South Belfast involvement SHDO 3.6. To ensure SB community groups are kept informed and have an input into the Belfast Strategic Partnership (BSP) Participation and input into BSP Belfast wide events Engagement and input from South Belfast into the BSP SHDO, SBPB and BSP community representative