Chief Medical Officer for England Professor Sir Chris Whitty visits Surrey to hear about innovative work to tackle health inequalities

The Surrey County Council Public Health team welcomed the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, on Friday 13th October to share with him some of the key health challenges for our most vulnerable residents; people experiencing multiple disadvantage and vulnerable migrants

The afternoon was hosted by Guildford Action who are one of 11 Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations that provide the Changing Futures, Bridge the Gap specialist trauma informed outreach service.

Professor Sir Chris Whitty said, “Surrey faces some complex public health challenges, and it was useful to discuss these with the local public health team and see the excellent work they are doing. It was great to visit Guildford Action, meet such committed and knowledgeable staff and learn about the important work they do for people experiencing multiple disadvantage.”

Jo Tester, CEO for Guildford Action said, “It was a pleasure to welcome Professor Whitty to Guildford Action and be able to talk to him about the valuable Changing Futures work helping to improve the lives of those experiencing multiple disadvantage.”

“The Bridge the Gap outreach they provide with 10 other charity partners across the county has been an absolute game changer for Surrey”. 

Residents in Surrey coping with multiple disadvantage and vulnerable migrants experience health inequalities, increasing the risk of the early onset of chronic health issues, shortened life expectancy and sadly premature death.  

Lisa Byrne, Changing Futures Lead, discussed with Professor Sir Whitty the importance of service flexibility when supporting this population, particularly those coping with co-occurring mental health and substance use.

Lisa said, “Changing Futures has afforded us a valuable opportunity to evidence the benefits of flexible and trauma approaches when working with this population“.  

Vicky Stobbart, Surrey Heartlands ICS Director of Long-Term Planning Delivery, highlighted a genuine system-wide appetite to find ’funding solutions’ to sustain the Bridge the Gap outreach service, which is currently funded jointly by DLUHC and the National Lottery Community Fund.

Mark Nuti, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Health said, “It was a great opportunity to highlight the unique pressures that Surrey faces in making sure ‘no one is left behind’. Guildford Action and the Changing Futures scheme was an excellent example of the good work going on. It was a privilege to be part of the discussion with the Chief Medical Officer”

Another topic discussed with Professor Sir Whitty was the unique challenges faced by asylum seekers and refugees, and by the services supporting this population.  The need for cultural awareness and sensitivity, collaboration between stakeholders locally and nationally, and communicating with wider communities was highlighted, particularly in relation to areas of Surrey which have a higher concentration of guests residing in hotels.  

Trudy Mills, Executive Director for Children’s Community Services, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust said, “This visit was particularly insightful as it provided us a unique platform to share both the challenges and success stories our health teams have encountered in their commendable work with the asylum hotels. Our candid discussions were invaluable, shedding light on the multifaceted issues faced by asylum seekers when placed in Surrey. Furthermore, it was an opportune moment to highlight the exceptional response and support from our health partners in these challenging circumstances”

Vicky Hickson, Senior Public Health Lead shared, “It was a great opportunity to be able to discuss this topic with Professor Sir Whitty and to share some of the good practice across the sector”

Work continues in both these areas with the delivery of the recommendations outlined in the migrant health needs assessment. A needs assessment on Multiple Disadvantage, co-produced with residents with lived and living experience, is to be published early next year.

Notes

For more information about Changing Futures

For more information about Guildford Action Guildford Action

For more information on the National Lottery Home | The National Lottery Community Fund (tnlcommunityfund.org.uk)

For more information on the Migrant Health Needs Assessment https://www.surreyi.gov.uk/jsna/migrant-health