Solihull Council's cabinet portfolio holder for adult social care and health, Councillor Tony Dicicco, has confirmed that addressing health inequalities across the borough will be a key priority for the upcoming municipal year. Speaking at the latest health and adult social care scrutiny board meeting, he outlined plans to tackle the widening gap in life expectancy between the most affluent and most deprived areas, with smoking and youth vaping among the primary targets.
Life Expectancy Gap Widens Since Covid
Councillor Dicicco acknowledged that the disparity in life expectancy for both men and women between the borough's richest and poorest areas has been increasing. "It started to widen during Covid and we haven't got the gap back since, that is an issue for us," he said. The north of Solihull, including Chelmsley Wood, Kingshurst, Fordbridge, and Smith's Wood, contains some of the most deprived areas in the country, and the council has spent years attempting to bridge the divide.
"Addressing inequalities remains a key priority for us," the councillor stated. "I'm acutely aware the gap in life expectancy for both men and women in the most affluent parts of the borough and those in the least affluent parts, the most deprived locations, is increasing." He added that the council is looking to address this through health checks and encouraging healthier lifestyles.
Smokefree 2030 and Youth Vaping
Among the measures being pursued is the council's smokefree 2030 initiative, which aims to help residents quit smoking. Councillor Dicicco highlighted this as one of the areas that would "significantly improve people's health," adding: "Not just for smokers but people who vape, we are trying to take steps to address youth vaping."
In response to a question from Councillor Catherine Price about the services available to residents, Councillor Dicicco explained that there are various avenues for support. "Family hubs are a great one-stop shop if they have got issues," he said. "We offer support through health visitors. We also do targeted health schemes where we assess people's blood pressure, weight, general health and try to help them with healthier life regimes."
Deprivation and Digital Exclusion
Councillor Dicicco acknowledged that deprivation is a significant factor driving health inequalities, noting: "Health inequalities cover a big area. Some of it is due to deprivation. We can't get away from that. There is a broader strategy the council has tried to do over the last 10 to 15 years about regeneration in the north."
Councillor Annette Mackenzie raised concerns about residents being left behind due to technological advances. "We must always remember not everybody has got a smart phone, on a computer, an iPad. There must always be information readily available for everybody," she said. "I know the council does a good job with that but that is something to bear in mind."
Good CQC Rating and Future Plans
The department received a 'good' rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in March, a result Councillor Dicicco described as a great achievement. "We have had a great year with the CQC inspection - in March we got a very good result," he said. "I think we are currently fifth in the country of all those authorities that have been inspected. It's an excellent achievement, all the staff have done a great job."
He confirmed that the authority "will not rest on its laurels" and will continue to improve its care offer. "Obviously we are going to continue to try and improve our care offer and will be liaising with the CQC with a full reinspection in about four years time. We will be preparing for that," he added. The meeting was held at the Civic Suite on July 30.
