Councillor Alison Martin, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Care, looks back on a year of improvement and development in our health and care services.
The past year has been one of improvement in adult social care: waiting times are down, backlogs have been reduced and systems have been improved to create greater clarity on the present and future support needs of adults in Derby. It goes without saying that there is much more to be done and working with people drawing on care to understand their needs remains a key aim of future improvement.
The state of our health is closely related to issues of equality and inequality. Through Derby’s Health and Wellbeing Board, which I chair, much work is undertaken to address the factors that affect our community’s health. I am pleased that this year the Board has focused on child poverty, including receiving a presentation from the Child Poverty Action Group on the importance of ending the two-child benefit cap as a vital first step to lifting thousands of Derby children out of poverty.
Our health is also affected by our environment and the climate. Addressing climate change is a key aim of this Council and we are committed to following through the recommendations in our Director of Public Health Annual Report 2024–25, led by Dr Robyn Dewis, which sets out the co-benefits that action on climate change can have on our health.
I was particularly pleased that the report gave a voice to Derby’s young people through focus groups and an art competition, showing we are looking to the future and engaging our residents in these important discussions.
A significant event this year was the Baton of Hope Tour, which came to Derby in September. It was a true privilege to speak at the opening of the event in Darley Park. The baton was carried by 100 incredible individuals, all personally affected or bereaved by suicide, highlighting that help is available for those who need it.
In Derby, mental health and suicide prevention are vital components of our city’s health and wellbeing priorities. By supporting events like this, we hope to break down the barriers to seeking help and encourage open conversations, highlighting the network of support services available across Derby and Derbyshire.
Finally, I am delighted to see how the Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme has gone from strength to strength this year. Launched in 2024, the scheme aims to make mums feel more confident to breastfeed in public. Shops, cafés, and other public premises in Derby are encouraged to sign up to the free accreditation, pledging to actively welcome and support women who are breastfeeding.
We now have 150 venues signed up and we are still working to recruit more. This scheme is all about creating a truly supportive and welcoming environment, ensuring mums feel confident and comfortable feeding their babies, wherever they are in our city.