Health In North Staffordshire

EDM number 296 in 1990-91, proposed by Joan Walley on 15/01/1991.

That this House welcomes the report published by the North Staffordshire Health Authority Community Unit as a direct result of the Health Profile for Stoke on Trent; expresses its great concern that the standard mortality rate for the city is 24 per cent. higher than the the national average, an excess of 4,500 deaths a year in the city; is alarmed that premature standard mortality rates of people dying before their 65th year, a more accurate indication of health trends, is even higher; deplores the current ratio of 20 health visitors per 100,000 population compared to the average figure of 25.7 in the West Midlands; recognises that a clear relationship exists between areas suffering from measurable poverty and higher standard mortality rates, and that Stoke on Trent differs from other comparable industrial cities in the existence of its six 'inner cities'; is dismayed that extra money to make good NHS underfunding, housing and environmental protection has been denied by Government; applauds the contribution of the city council and district health authority in developing its health policies and intiatives to improve knowledge by taking Healthy Living out into the community; and calls upon the Minister for Health to commend these initiatives following her visit to the city on 17th January, and specifically to bring together all government departments concerned - Health Education, Environment and Home Office - to ensure that the people of North Staffordshire enjoy the best possible health, the best possible health service, and that the 11 per cent. underfunding of the NHS in North Staffordshire is reinstated.

This motion has been signed by a total of 34 MPs.