Cllr Graham Oakes, Lead Member for Public Health, and Somerset’s Director of Public Health, Alison Bell, were delighted to welcome Professor Sir Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer for England, to the county on Friday 27 March, as part of his national work exploring health and wellbeing of people living in small towns and rural communities.
The visit provided a valuable opportunity to highlight the strength of partnership working across Somerset, with colleagues from public health, the NHS, the council and wider partners coming together to demonstrate how services are working collectively to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities.
Alison Bell, Director of Public Health for Somerset, said:
“This visit was an important opportunity to show how a whole-system approach is making a real difference to people’s lives in Somerset.
“By working closely with our partners and communities, we are tackling the wider factors that influence health, from early years support and access to healthy food, to housing and community wellbeing. Rural areas bring both challenges and opportunities, and we are committed to continuing to work across Council Services and the health system to strengthen the support available to our residents.”
Throughout the day in Glastonbury, Professor Whitty saw first-hand the breadth of work taking place to support local communities. This included early years and public health nursing support for children and families, alongside innovative approaches to improving access to affordable and nutritious food through community initiatives such as food networks, pantries and growing projects.
Professor Whitty also visited a local library, showcasing its role as a vital community hub, offering warm spaces, wellbeing support and access to services including NHS Health Checks and community groups for people of all ages to engage in, demonstrating how trusted local assets are being used to reach residents in different and more accessible ways.
The visit also highlighted the role of research and innovation, with the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) supporting Somerset to build a stronger evidence base for improving population health and shaping future services.
Later in the day, Professor Whitty gained insight into some of the challenges of rural living, including housing and access to affordable accommodation, and how these issues can contribute to homelessness and wider health outcomes. He met with partners supporting people experiencing homelessness and those affected by substance use, including housing services, outreach teams, the inclusion health service and Somerset Drug and Alcohol Service, as well as individuals with lived experience.
Reflecting on the visit, Professor Whitty said:
“I’ve been really impressed by the range of things that public health and NHS colleagues working with the council are doing to improve the lives of people in Somerset. We can do a lot to improve health in rural areas, and I’ve learned a lot to take away to help rural provision of health in England more widely.”
Councillor Graham Oakes, Lead Member for Public Health, Climate Change and Environment at Somerset Council, said:
“We were delighted to welcome Professor Whitty to Somerset and to showcase the breadth of work taking place across our communities. This visit reflects the strength of our partnerships and our shared commitment to improving health and wellbeing for everyone, particularly in our rural areas where challenges can be different and more complex.”
The visit forms part of Professor Whitty’s research for his upcoming Annual Report, which will focus on health of people living in small towns and rural communities. Somerset’s inclusion reflects the strong collaborative approach across local partners and a shared commitment to improving outcomes for residents.
