Liberton & Gilmerton Neighbourhood Partnership

Tackling Health Inequality

'Health' means many different things. The Partnership has agreed to focus on two different aspects, older people and families needing support.

People are living longer. Liberton Gilmerton has a high number of residents over the age of 60. This means that the demand for access to local resources and support services increases each year.

Sometimes there aren't enough services to meet the demands of the local elderly community and this can mean that some may miss out on valuable support.

There are children and parents experiencing difficulties which, without support, may lead to more serious issues, like mental health problems, poor family relationships and possibly the breakdown of the family.

Updated: 19 February 2013

Next Meeting: 21 May 2013

The Health Inequalities Group will take forward the following actions:

Action	Outcomes	Progress to Date
Develop appropriate information hub to ensure all residents but older people in particular have access to information about services locally across a wide range of issues using face to face and new technology	People better equipped to make decisions and identify where locally they can access advice and support	A project description has been devised and will now be further developed by the working group. Costings have been sought in terms of IT and smart technology resource. It is intended that a full funding application can be developed and submitted by the summer 2013. Further discussions are required in terms of data protection issues and identifying the number of locations for the technology.
Upon completion of the Discharge Planning Survey - take forward local outcomes and seek to prevent older people being readmitted to hospital where community based services may assist	Survey will identify where positive change is required; Local agencies will play a vital role to support the outcomes	The report has been completed and has been reviewed by relevant committee involving NHS. Other aspects have been linked to the review and whilst delayed slightly, will be presented at the meeting in May 2013, therafter local actions can be identified.
Develop appropriate support package for parents of older children	Number of Parents with older children seeking support and advice will be increased; Issues linked with substance misuse, mental health (parents and children) and potential family breakdown will be supported at earlier stages	The Parenting Sub Group have undertaken a review of existing provision and have mapped where local structures support the wider issue.
Develop Neighbourhood Intergenerational support initiative	High Schools engaged with local older people's/adults groups transferring skill base; Adults involved in buddy learning and family support initiatives transferring positive learning; Increase in volunteering activity /building social capital	There has been some early discussion linking IT issues associated with access and support for the new universal credits with a local High School seeking to potentially support 5/6th years assisting adults in the community with online applications. Libertus have also submitted a Lottery application to support a wide range of intergenerational iniatitives using film and media.