Spotlight on giving children the best start in life  

In his yearly reports, Craig Blundred examines different factors which influence the health of Hartlepool residents and looks at the progress being made to improve those outcomes.

His 2024 report highlights the challenges faced in a child’s early years and how the period up to the beginning of adulthood is crucial.

The online report includes short video presentations on subjects ranging from the importance of immunisation against measles, mumps and other diseases, to encouraging breastfeeding and supporting mums’ mental health during and after pregnancy.

Other topics include the vital importance of making sure a child is ready to start school - including developing language, reading and numeracy – and building healthy habits including ways of travelling using their own energy to move, such as walking or cycling.

Craig Blundred said: “This year’s report provides a summary of the key challenges faced in the early years of a child’s life and how the period from conception to entering adulthood is critical for their wellbeing.

“During pregnancy there are opportunities to ensure and promote healthy behaviours.

“Good support in the early years is also vital in helping parents get support for their child’s needs, but also for employment opportunities and housing which help to reduce child and family poverty.

“The report also identifies the key importance of ensuring a child is ready to start school and how schools are also vitally important in improving the health behaviours of children and young people and in ensuring high levels of achievement and ambition to help their chances throughout life.”

Councillor Brenda Harrison, Leader of the Council and Chair of the Hartlepool Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “I would like to thank Craig and his colleagues for all the work that has gone into this excellent report.

“It shows the great work we are doing across Hartlepool to support our families, however it also identifies the key challenges we face - in particular in boosting childhood vaccination rates, which is something we are working hard with our partner organisations to improve.

“Working together to help and support families, we are doing our utmost to help give every child in Hartlepool the best start in life.”

The report can be viewed at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/DPH-Annual-Report-2024