Background
to the
Research
- Belfast Healthy Cities launched
'Towards aCity Health Plan' in June 1998, a consultation document which
was to inform the citizens of Belfast of the many factors influencing
their health and quality of life, and to inform the process of preparing
a city health development plan. This report summarises the results of
the consultation process and details the final stage in the production
of the City Health Development Plan for Belfast.
Research
Approach
- 1,500 copies of 'Towards a City Health
Plan' were produced and circulated to organisations and individuals
across the city.
- 138,000 leaflets were delivered to all
households in Belfast and recipients were invited to attend consultation
events.
- Five area based community consultation
events were held throughout the city.
- There was a drama presentation and workshop
sessions. Participants were asked to comment on the performance of statutory
bodies and to say what activities they felt were good and working well,
to consider those which might be improved and to identify issues which
were not being currently addressed.
- Population groups were consulted, mainly
by questionnaire, via the voluntary sector organisations. People with
disabilities, older people, young people, ethnic minority organisations,
women's groups and men's groups were among those consulted.
Main Findings
Health and Social Care
- In some areas it was considered that care
in the community was good and that the accountability of health and
social care organisations had improved. It was felt that there had been
some improvement in training on health and safety issues, and that employers
were more aware of their responsibilities in this regard.
- There was concern about GP appointments
systems and the home help service. The inequality of services between
fundholders and non-fundholders was highlighted and waiting times were
thought to be too long for some services.
- Hospitals appeared to be competing with
one another with less emphasis on care and service provision.
- There was concern about the lack of social
support for older people. It was felt that statutory organisations can
display a negative attitude and that there was a need to improve their
accessibility to all members of the public.
- There was concern over mental health provision
in certain areas and over inadequate follow-up care for those who are
discharged from hospital with mental health problems.
- The need for more research into men's health
was raised.
Environment
- People felt that the city was generally
quite clean. Schemes, which monitor air quality and the conversion of
heating systems from solid fuel to gas, were also welcomed. There was
concern about air pollution caused by increasing volumes of traffic.
- It was agreed that there was a lack of
planning control and a reduction of green areas in the city. The public
transport system was viewed as poor. There are too many private cars
and not enough alternatives.
- Recycling facilities and cleansing services
were considered inadequate.
- Empty houses, murals and graffiti were
seen as detrimental to local areas. Access to the BCC and the DoE was
thought to be poor. There was a lack of information and consultation
regarding their services. There was concern over the lack of accountability
of the DoE and over their unresponsiveness to local concerns.
- There seemed to be little visible action
on Travellers concerns.
Housing
- It was agreed that the Housing Executive
has improved it's service, that the standard of public sector housing
is high and that housing associations are contributing well to housing
in the city.
- Concern was expressed about standards and
rents in privately rented properties. There was thought to be a lack
of control over HMOs.
- It was felt that too few houses were being
built in the public sector. House design and the needs of disabled people
were thought to be significant issues. The method of allocation was
criticised.
- It was felt that more planning should be
encouraged for religious integration in housing.
- There were issues about the re-housing
of 'problem families'.
- It was felt that housing associations should
engage more in formal community consultation concerning allocations.
Education
- This was considered a key area. The BELB
received some praise for its youth services, grants information and
library service. The North and West Belfast Trust was said to provide
useful courses. Adult education schemes were working quite well.
- It was felt that the Transfer System had
failed large sections of the community. League tables were criticised,
as was the liaison between primary and secondary schools.
- There was concern that the Youth Service
has been dramatically reduced.
- It was felt that nursery provision was
inadequate in certain areas and that schools needed to be much more
holistic in dealing with the emotional and well being needs of children.
- The loan system in third level education
was seen as a disincentive for those from lower income families.
- There was, in general, a lack of knowledge
about education structures within the BELB and DENI.
Economic Development
- Organisations such as Business in the Community
and Training for Life were considered to be examples of good practice.
- It was felt that there was a lack of support
for community based projects for unemployed people. The New Deal had
failed to live up to its promise and there was not enough investment
in young people.
- There was a need to monitor more closely
the Industrial Development Board's targeting of investments. It was
suggested that inward investment needs to be measured against sustainability
and that the economy needs to be built on co-operation rather than competition.
Recreation, Leisure and Community
Services
- Leisure Centres were praised, although
it was believed that they are rather costly.
- Libraries, art facilities and community
centres are good but not in all areas.
- Belfast City Council was praised for its
playgrounds and its good response to complaints.
- It was felt that some community groups
were not really representative of the community.
- There was insufficient provision for Travellers
and minority groups.
- Community arts need statutory funding.
- There was insufficient provision of youth
and community facilities.
- The need to increase public transport services
in the evening was highlighted.
Community Safety
- Churches, voluntary agencies and the RUC
were considered to be doing a lot of good work.
- Children need to be made more aware of
the dangers in the streets and of crime prevention.
- It was felt that new models of community
safety need to be developed.
- Vetting procedures on childcare providers
need to be improved. Some participants had no faith in the RUC. Child
safety and the implementation of the Children's Order were considered
to be high priority issues.
Recommendations
- An important outcome of the process was
the compilation of an extensive list of recommendations based on these
seven areas of focus.
- The population groups consulted also made
recommendations on the issues and the provision of the services which
most affected their lives.
Conclusions
- Further planning events have been held
to identify key recurring themes from the many issues raised. An overall
goal and four broad themes have emerged.
Overall Goal
- To promote the well-being of the citizens
of Belfast.
Strategic Themes
- To develop an integrated information strategy
for the citizens of Belfast.
- To improve the mental well-being of the
citizens of Belfast.
- To improve transport and co-ordinated
environmental planning across the city.
- To provide life long learning opportunities
for the people of Belfast.
- The guiding principles to be: community
participation/accountability; intersectoral working; sustainable development;
social inclusion/equity.
- These themes were to form the basis of
the City Health Development Plan to be launched in early 2000.
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