§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the priority given to public health and healthy living programmes in the plans of primary care groups and NHS trusts in(a) Coventry and (b) the West Midlands region. [125681]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 12 June 2000]: Health development groups working across agencies and organisations have been set in motion to develop the health improvement programme (HImP) in Coventry. I understand that primary care groups have had a key leadership and membership role in these groups. Each of the three PCGs in Coventry has identified its local priorities based on an assessment of health needs of its populations and aligned funding of its Primary Care Investment plans with the health improvement plans.
Regeneration in Coventry will be further supported through the development of a healthy living centre (HLC), subject to the success of the bid which was submitted at the end of May. HLCs are funded through the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) and are aimed at mobilising community activity in improving health and reducing inequalities. The HLC bid arose from extensive partnership working and more than 300 information packs were distributed to voluntary, community and statutory groups across Coventry. Coventry's bid is designed to complement other initiatives such as the HImP and the community plan and will focus on young people, their families and carers.
HImPs across the West Midlands include an assessment of the health needs of local populations. Priorities are determined locally and the funding of Primary Care Group investment plans is aligned with HImP priorities.
Primary care groups and National Health Service trusts have huge potential to improve people's health and prevent illness, and the West Midlands Regional Office will continue to support that developing role.