DSC_0430Centre for Research in Health & Wellbeing, University of Bolton in association with the National Forum for Health and Wellbeing hosted its second Guest Lecture on 14th October 2014. Ms Wendy Meredith, Public Health Director, Bolton Borough Council spoke on “Public health in Bolton-Learning from the past and looking to the future”.

Wendy speaking at University of Bolton

Wendy speaking at University of Bolton

Ms Wendy Meredith, Public Health Director, Bolton Borough Council delivered a fascinating talk on “Public health in Bolton-Learning from the past and looking to the future” on 14 October at the University of Bolton.This was second in the series of lectures organised bythe Centre for Research in Health & Wellbeing, University of Bolton in association with the National Forum for Health and Wellbeing, which has recently been judged the winner of the E3 Social Enterprise Award 2014.

Professor Rob Campbell, Pro vice chancellor of the University of Bolton welcomed the audience and introduced the speaker of the day.

Wendy with Prof Gupta, Prof Cambell and Dr Bhatiani

Wendy with Prof Gupta, Prof Cambell and Dr Bhatiani

Wendy opened the lecture by describing that there is a need to understand what is happening with Public Health in Bolton. Wendy paid tribute to Dr Samuel Taylor Chadwick (1809 – 3 May 1876) who worked in Bolton and gave lectures on Public Health and fought for better health provisions in Bolton.

Wendy described the 5 wave strategy of tackling health issues such as improving sanitary conditions, understanding modern medicine and germs, structural reforms, risk theory life style changes, identify disease risk factors, health and wellbeing, etc. and said that we are currently on the 5th wave of implementation.

Wendy showed a map highlighting discrepancies in the life expectancy in various regions of the country. She further described a system map which clearly identifies obesity, alcohol and smoking affecting health in the northwest. Wendy added that even within the Bolton Borough such differences exist and said that life expectancy can vary by as much as 12 years. She stressed that these inequalities pose challenges for the future delivery of health care.

Next Public Health wave, she said, will look at the economy/wellness and environment and strategic shift from healthier habits to well being. The wellbeing shift will look for root causes such as debt, social isolation.

Wendy discussed the importance of the Marmot Report describing “Every child should have a best start in life”. She discussed early start and recognition of difficulties and said that interventions should be made from an early stage often involving many organisations and professionals.

Ms Wendy Meredith then spoke about the Barker report which shuns the usual obsession with how to fund hospitals, instead focusing on the needs of patients with long-term conditions. She then referred to the North One report and its recommendations and its implications. She briefly outlined the vision of the future and how the challenges would be met.

DSC_0420Throughout the 45 minute lecture, Ms Wendy kept her audience captivated with her command over the subject.  Following the lecture, interactive discussions covered the following topics

  • Has the North South divide always been the same
  • Integration – Health and Social Care Services to intervene at the right time
  • Community support for individual, spiritual therapy and wellbeing.
  • Healthy fast food
  • Alcohol – increasing problems due to availability and price
  • Early years services in Manchester – parenting programme, speech and language therapy
  • Natural resources- how to promote water

DSC_0431Dr Wirin Bhatiani Chair of the Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group concluded the meeting and proposed the vote of thanks.

Several healthcare workers, students and representatives of local healthcare service providers attended the meeting.

As a commitment to improve the health of the community by working alongside the other key stake holders, the Centre for Research in Health & Wellbeing, University of Bolton in association with the National Forum for Health and Wellbeing hold regular events including lectures on health related topics and conferences as well as well known Health Melas to empower communities by raising health awareness. All these events are free and open to public.

Prof Gupta, Mr Hodgson, Ms Meredith, Prof Campbell, Dr Bhatiani

Prof Gupta, Mr Hodgson, Ms Meredith, Prof Campbell, Dr Bhatiani

The next lecture will be presented by Dr Wirin Bhatiani on 17th February 2015 (6.00 for 6.30 pm) at the University of Bolton. Those interested in attending the same should contact Nicola Dunn (Tel: 01204 903615) to register and for further information.