Aims - Have they been addressed?

This section considers each of these aims and whether we have made progress against the seven key aims identified in the Joint Health Improvement Plan.

1. Identify the contribution that partners and others are already making to improving health and reducing health inequalities.
   Yes: each year we conducted an audit of health improvement activity across South Lanarkshire to identify health improvement activity across the Council area. In 2005 this was loaded up into a database of activity which would be used by all partners as a reference tool for planning.
   
   
2. Use the plan to highlight good practice and identify evidence based research that can be used to inform future policy.
   Yes: each year we have identified case studies of programmes and activities which address health improvement issues. These have been followed through each year to see progress. In 2006 the Department of Public Health, NHS Lanarkshire, produced the Evidence base for lifestyle interventions for health improvement. This document sets out the evidence for taking action against 10 key areas and will form the basis for future priority setting in the NHS and among partners.
   
   
3. Assemble the main plans and strategies aimed at improving health in South Lanarkshire together in one document.
   Yes: The JHIP included a list of relevant plans which included reference to health improvement activity.
   
   
4. Engage the wider public by raising awareness of health issues
   Yes: this has been done by a number of the partners involved in health improvement activities. Local events in Cambuslang and Rutherglen were used to highlight areas of concern and inform the local health improvement action plan which was launched in September 2006. Open Minds Events, held by Changing Places, the Regeneration wing of the Council, included issues around health and health improvement. Other events held during the lifetime of the JHIP have had a health improvement focus including the Food in the Community seminar (September 2005) and community planning conferences.
   
   
5. Identify priorities for future investment and funding
   Yes: work has been generated to address physical activity, better nutrition, workplace health, oral health and mental health and well being. Health improvement has also been included in a number of plans dealing with wider issues such as transport, housing and employment. The Department of Public Health Evidence Base report will support future bids for funding and development.
   
   
6. Identify areas for more effective service delivery through better co-ordination and partnership
   Yes: this work is ongoing through the Joint Futures agenda which brings health and social care staff together to co-ordinate efforts and provide a better service. The development of Community Health Partnerships has provided an opportunity for further joint working across a number of areas including health improvement.
   
   
7. Monitor the impact of the action identified in the plan on changes in health outcomes for individuals and communities.
   Yes: action plans have been included in the JHIP and each of the reviews and these have been followed up to assess progress each year. This is in addition to more detailed monitoring and evaluation of activities at project level. Those involved in delivering on the JHIP contributed to the development of key performance indicators (KPIs) for the South Lanarkshire Community Plan which includes five health specific indicators, as well as a number of others which have a more indirect impact on health outcomes. The first KPI report for the Community Planning partnership was published in September 2006 showing progress against these indicators.