The first meeting of the new London Health Board took place today (Monday 20 May 2013) at City Hall.
The London Health Board is a partnership between local government, the NHS and the Mayor of London, which has been established to provide leadership on health issues of pan-London significance, where this adds value to decisions, agreements and action at local level.
Chaired by the Mayor, the board comprises 15 members, with equal representation of five leaders appointed from London Councils, four mayoral appointments and five health service leaders.
The board will meet quarterly.
Aims:
• improve the healthy life expectancy of Londoners
• reduce health inequalities in London between and within boroughs
• ensure that London’s life sciences sector continues to thrive and grow. The board has identified a number of priority areas to focus on:
• making the case for investing in London’s health economy
• promoting growth and jobs in London’s health & life sciences sectors
• improving primary care
• enhancing the patient experience, particularly through transparency of data and digital access to information
• improving mental health services.
The board also recognised the challenge of tackling childhood obesity in London and expressed an interest in the work being taken forward across the capital by partners.
The Mayor of London and Chair of the London Health Board, Boris Johnson, said: “London is facing major health challenges, including childhood obesity, mental ill health and health inequalities. The London Health Board will give the capital a strong voice to make the case for the resources needed to meet these challenges. We have world renowned research and treatment centres in London and I am keen that we work together to improve healthy life expectancy in our city.”
Cllr Teresa O’Neill, Executive Member for Health at London Councils, said: “Councils are already using their new public health responsibilities and roles in local Health & Wellbeing Boards to work with partners locally. This can have a tangible effect on the health and wellbeing of Londoners.
“We welcome the London Health Board as a vehicle for joint strategic leadership on health issues, where we can make London’s case more strongly together, overcome any system-wide challenges and boost opportunities for the health and life-sciences sector.”
Dr Anne Rainsberry, Director for NHS England (London) said: "I welcome the opportunity the London Health Board brings to work together with partners on a shared vision to improve health for Londoners, with the aim of securing the best possible results."