NHS and local authority leaders pledge to tackle health inequalities | Latest News

Senior NHS leaders, local politicians and community groups came together in November to commit to addressing the biggest challenges impacting the mental health and wellbeing of local communities in south London as part of the South London Listens Programme.

Over 300 people attended a Community Health Assembly at St Barnabas Church Clapham Common North Side, Wandsworth, including civic and faith organisations, charities, and leaders from the NHS, local authorities, and universities. This event, alongside the south east London equivalent, were hosted by Citizens UK and built on the success of the South London Listens Assemblies held on World Mental Health Day in 2022.

Participants came together to celebrate the power of community to create positive change and  applaud the progress already made in tackling health inequalities in the region through South London Listens. Communities shared powerful stories with senior NHS and local authority leaders about how their own health is impacted by issues such as low wages, the impact of the housing crisis on health, and racial inequities, especially for migrant communities.

Throughout the evening which included community testimonials, music and dancing, senior south London NHS leaders pledged to address several important issues. These pledges build on the work of South London Listens to-date and covered the following issues:

• Work and wages: Championing a real living wage for people living and working in south east London – and the ICBs committing to publish action plans in 2024 on how they will become Living Wage Systems.
• Children, young people and parents: Ensuring young people and parents have the support they need, especially during their wait for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, and maintaining up-to-date signposting to resources for parents.
• Housing: Convening system partners to build an action plan which uses the evidence base of the impact of housing on health and wellbeing so that solutions can be identified and implemented.
• Mental health and social isolation: Continuing to resourcing and support BeWell organisations, that provide community mental health and organising support for people across south east London
• Race and migration: Tackling racial disparities, especially for migrant communities, through expanding work on the safe surgeries initiative, and expanding the Community Embedded Worker programme

Ann Beasley, Chair of South West London and St George’s and Co-Chair of the South London Listens Taskforce, said: 

The energy in the room was palpable – as was the appetite to make change. This moment was a powerful example of how we in the NHS and local authorities can, and should, work in genuine partnership with local communities to tackle social and economic challenges to create a happier and healthier society.

Mike Bell, Chair of NHS South West London Integrated Care Board, said:

This assembly was a great way to launch these pledges – the energy in the room was fantastic and it was a privilege to commit to these plans on behalf of the ICB. We know there are challenges ahead but the event also pointed to the innovative solutions that are within reach when we work closely with our communities. I now look forward to seeing these pledges being realised, helping to ensure that everyone in south west London and beyond has a fairer and healthier future.

The evening cemented partners’ commitment to building stronger relationships, sharing power, listening to their communities, co-producing solutions, and action to overturn the inequalities which have a devastating impact on mental health and wellbeing. The pledges are informing the development of an updated South London Listens action plan published in January 2024.