Witney News - Health – a priority for West Oxfordshire

Health – a priority for West Oxfordshire

Public consultation has put health in the spotlight for West Oxfordshire District Council with residents’ views contributing to the production of a new Health & Wellbeing strategy.

Residents felt strongly about access to services and about health issues specific to an ageing population. These are unsurprising as access relates to the District’s rurality and West Oxfordshire has the highest proportion of residents over 65 in Oxfordshire. Both challenges are addressed within the strategy.

Cllr Hilary Biles, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Tourism and Health said, “Although West Oxfordshire District Council does not have a statutory requirement to provide health services, it nevertheless has an important role in striving to protect residents in a number of ways. For example, promoting healthy lifestyles through exercise and leisure, ensuring housing meets acceptable standards and tackling drug and alcohol abuse. The Council also has an important role as a community leader and will continue to argue the case in order to protect health facilities and the needs of residents in the District.”

This strategy not only states the Council’s health role, but also outlines its health priorities and issues. It sets out how the Council works with other agencies as a health and wellbeing development partner. For example on rural access it supports Oxfordshire Rural Community Council’s policies and projects including its work with rural transport and service providers.

The Council’s key health partners include Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) as the main authority responsible for health services in the community and Oxfordshire County Council.

The Health & Wellbeing strategy is available the Environmental Policy team, email [email protected]