Improving the wider social determinants of health in Sunderland through a network of Wellness Centres

1
Improving the wider social determinants of health
in Sunderland through a network of Wellness
Centres

• 2004 the Government white paper Choosing Health
  set out a clear framework for both Local
  Government PCTs to reduce health inequalities
  to engage with communities to improve health
• In response SCC made the decision in 2004, to
  bring back in house a successful fitness
  operation thus allowing SCC to work more closely
  with local partners, increase capacity to target
  more deprived communities re-align to develop a
  Wellness approach
• With one in each of the 6 regeneration areas
  Wellness Centres (WCs) act as hubs link to
  other Wellness Services in the city
• Although they focus on prevention, a wide range
  of support programmes are available for
  individuals who are referred by their HCP

2
Objectives

• The aim of the WCs is to increase the number of
  individuals participating in physical activity
  and thereby improve their health and well-being
• Ensure an innovative integrated service
  approach is developed within WCs to meet health
  needs of specific communities
• Support existing potential providers to develop
  deliver programmes within WCs offering
  lifestyle advice, education physical activity
  opportunities
• Reach more people through a joined up approach
  integrated services
• Develop a range of preventative services,
  targeted interventions pathways to support
  lifestyle change
• Improve peoples understanding of how to have a
  healthier lifestyle through education on healthy
  eating, losing weight, physical activity, smoking
  alcohol
• Create opportunities for hard to reach groups
  within the
• community

3
Results

• All 6 WCs, equipped with the latest Technogym
  equipment offer opportunities for all to
  participate in physical activity as well as
  receive support designed around their needs
• WCs use the Wellness System, an interactive
  programme which helps users follow their personal
  goals, exercise programmes progress
• The Wellness System can track performance
  evidence the impact that physical activity has on
  individuals health
• 7,597 current WC members, of which 1,233 are
  under 19
• April 07 March 08 saw more than 300,000
  attendances in WCs by people 16
• WC are also the hub for rehab programmes
  delivered by City Hospitals Cardiac Rehab Team
• the Orthopaedic Rehab Department

4
Conclusions

• Understanding the need of the target audience was
  fundamental, that our customer base required
  more than just a gym was extremely important when
  agreeing purpose of the WCs
• A robust monitoring system has proved invaluable.
  The inclusion of the Wellness System allows the
  Wellness Service to begin to evidence the impact
  that programmes are contributing positively to
  individuals health well-being therefore in
  time contributing to reducing health inequalities
  
• The success of Wellness Centres led to its
  inclusion in a recent award submission for which
  SCC and STPCT were awarded Beacon status
• for Reducing Health Inequalities
• in 2008-09

Sunderland has an excellent and innovative
approach to reducing health inequalities that is
underpinned by passion and commitment. Beacon
Panel - Improvement and Development Agency (2008)