Community Planning Partnership hosts ‘Health Literacy’ workshop
Thu, May 30, 2019
Causeway Coast and Glens Community Planning Partnership recently hosted a ‘Health Literacy’ workshop as part of its commitment to tackling health inequalities.
The Borough’s Community Plan, entitled ‘A Better Future Together’, includes an action to tackle health inequalities by improving health literacy. Evidence shows that low health literacy can prevent people accessing and understanding health information.
The Public Health Agency, in partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and other Community Planning partners are considering the importance of health literacy and its effect on health inequalities in the local area. A key objective of the workshop was to explore with partners how best to contribute to and promote future action to raise awareness of and improve health literacy across the area.
Welcoming delegates and speakers to the event, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Sean Bateson said: “The Community Plan is based on achieving real results for people in our local area. I commend all those who have assisted in the development of our Community Plan so far and look forward to continuing to work together with our statutory partners for ‘A Better Future Together’ for all in Causeway Coast and Glens.”
Elaine O’Doherty, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager, Public Health Agency said: “Research has found that more than 60% of working age adults in England have difficulty understanding some health information. The Causeway Coast and Glens Community Planning Health Literacy Workshop highlights how important it is for all Community Planning partners, including Health and Social Care, Education, Communities, Councils and others to work together to reduce barriers to improved communication and better public understanding of health messages and information. The workshop, with input from experts, has helped those attending plan how all organisations can improve health literacy skills and achieve effective communication. This is important to ensure people in Northern Ireland can use key health messages and information to look after and improve the health of individuals, families and communities.”
During the event, keynote speaker Joanne Protheroe, Professor of General Practice at Keele University, presented on ‘Health Literacy: What is it, why is it important and what can we do?’ while other speakers included Ann Marie McStocker, NICHI Health Alliance, Joanne Morgan, Community Development Health Network and Claire Ramsey, Health and Wellbeing, Northern Health & Social Care Trust.
Community Planning is one of the responsibilities of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and its statutory partners. The Community Plan for Causeway Coast and Glens represents extensive partnership working across the whole range of public services including health, education, public safety, housing, our communities, the environment and the economy.
Please take time to read the Causeway Coast and Glens Community Planning Delivery Plan or contact the Community Planning Team for further details.
An Easy Read version of the Delivery Plan produced by members of the Compass Advocacy Network Plus, Easy Read Committee, is also available on Council’s website at www.causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/council/community-planning/news.
