Motion no: 33
Health inequalities requires cross department support but also requires the department to work with trade unions
In 2013 the department for health published Making life better a strategic framework for public health. This was a ten-year strategy so it technically ended in 2023.
In his fist speech to the house after taking office as minister for health Mr Nesbitt identified health inequalities as a prime area of focus. In July this year the minister announced the first phase of a live better initiative which is designed to bring targeted support to communities which need it most.
He talked of the community and voluntary sector being key but failed to mention the importance of trade unions in helping to deliver this initiative.
We agree with the minister that public health and reducing health inequalities is wider than just the health service, but we feel that unions have a vital and much ignored role to play in supporting and driving this agenda.
We therefore call on the NIC ICTU health committee and the executive committee of NIC ICTU to use all avenues open to them to encourage the re-establishment of the health partnership forum. This forum should play a key role in developing and supporting ways to reduce health inequalities and improve the public health.
We also urge all unions to consider how in their communication with members they can continue to spread messages around health improvement – encouraging and supporting members to take part in health screening and vaccination and looking at the opportunities they have as a unions to provide nutritional advice and to encourage activity. We would like to see the ICTU conference brochure include helpful advice such as stretches or local walking routes to combat the amount of time delegates spend sitting.
