This section is used to summarise the views of the public, dedicated groups and service users. It can make use of formal assessment of views, such as obtained from surveys, feedback meetings and focus groups.

Strategic Issue 1 

Residents of Hartlepool expressed concerns over access to health services through the Big Conversation:

• When asked ‘What would make Hartlepool a better place to live?’ 44 respondents said ‘Bring back hospital services’, 23 respondents said ‘Better / easier access to health services’.
• When asked ‘Thinking about making Hartlepool a better place to live, what actions do you think that residents, the Council and other organisations could take together to make a difference?’ 32 respondents said ‘Better / easier access to health services’.
• When survey respondents were asked “..what would help to improve your personal health and wellbeing” 123 respondents said ‘Better / easier access to health services’.

When asked for “..one thing that you think would make Hartlepool a better place to live in 5 years time…” 35 respondents said ‘Better / easier access to health services’.

Strategic Issue 2

Residents of Hartlepool expressed concerns regarding modifiable risk factors:

Respondents also made a number of references to various inequalities, particularly in respect of healthy diets and healthy lifestyles (or lack thereof).

“There are loads of takeaways throughout the town and it is often cheaper to have unhealthy food than healthy. More education about healthy food to children and families. There are a lot of very overweight people in our town.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)

Some respondents put forward suggestions as to how some of these inequalities could be reduced. These commonly focussed on education, particularly around food (making healthy choices, learning how to cook, healthy food versus takeaways) and money (help with budgeting).

“Help to live successful lives – learn how to cook a meal, manage money. Need to learn these skills but from the right person. A lot of people are experiencing stress and poor mental health due to money worries but some of this could be helped quite easily if people had access to these kinds of life skills e.g. not understanding that takeaways and junk food are more expensive and less healthy than cooking for yourself and that this needn’t be difficult” Face to face group response (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)

The need for better facilities and a greater range of sport and leisure activities was highlighted by many respondents. Respondents commented that this would promote and enhance their health and wellbeing. Respondents said they wanted both formal sports and leisure activities, as well as informal self-led activities.

“Improve the parks and outdoor spaces and provide better access to improved leisure facilities.” Survey respondent (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)

“Better faculties [sic] like leisure [sic] centre, and more cycling paths and walking routes, maybe outdoor gym equipment.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)

“Organised walking groups much like Durham Council operate.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)

“More and better access to classes and sessions at the swimming pool and sauna, and more emphasis on classes for older people.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)

Some of these activities requested already exist, which suggests that they could be better publicised. Several respondents also commented that they needed more leisure options which could be accessed on an evening or weekend.

 “Late night opening of council ran facilities i.e. gym and swimming pool.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)

“Provide further opportunities for wellbeing activities to take place on late afternoons/evenings for residents who work full time.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)

Strategic Issue 3

There is no consultation relevant to issue 3.