North-south divide widens in health map of England

* John Carvel, social affairs editor
* The Guardian,
* Tuesday October 23 2007
* Article history

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This article appeared in the Guardian on Tuesday October 23 2007 on p10 of the UK news and analysis section. It was last updated at 00:01 on October 23 2007.

People living in northern England are more likely than their southern neighbours to smoke and drink to excess. Their mental health is poorer and life expectancy is up to three years shorter than in the south.

The regional health divide emerged starkly in a health profile of England, published yesterday by the Department of Health. It showed the NHS has made great strides in reducing the number of people dying from cancer and heart attacks. Infant mortality is at its lowest level and fewer people are smoking. But more people consider themselves in poor health than when Labour came to power in 1997 and the inequalities between north and south are wider than ever.

The differences emerge early in life: the average five-year-old in the West Midlands has one decayed, missing or filled tooth, whereas in the north-east and north-west, the average is two. And the regional divide persists to the grave: men in the south-east and south-west live nearly three years longer than in the north-east and north-west, and women more than two years longer.

The pattern is not uniform. London has the highest rates of drug abuse and diabetes, and the north has less obesity than the Midlands. But these were exceptions to what the department called "a consistent north-south divide, with poor health in the north of England in comparison to the south in almost all areas."

The report showed England had the highest rate of obesity in Europe. There were 288.6 deaths per 100,000 people from smoking-related causes, compared with an EU average of 263.70.

Dawn Primarolo, the public health minister, said: "There is still a lot to do in tackling health inequalities ... While we have made good progress in stopping people smoking, I am determined to move further and faster, with a cross-government drive to tackle obesity, improve diet and activity levels and promote safe and sensible drinking."

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I look back at most of my life and think "WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING?!??"

so true at present for instance liverpool dont have a HBS policy and so no treatment is available for new patients. They claim to have a working forum which has been going for a year in order to work out a policy for the future but this appears to be making no progress and people are left with no treatment available on the NHS which is in fact against the law. Im lucky and recieve my hormones from my GP but not everyone is in my position.

Wales is like that too I hear.

Also, I've been on the waiting list for a GIC appointment since spring last year. I'm due mine in March 2010 I was told the other week by the GIC.

Anybody (i.e. Stella ) who's intrested in the full report, here you go
Full link to the report in question

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I look back at most of my life and think "WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING?!??"

Wales do it too I've heard.
There has been cases where Welsh individuals have gone to court though to get a GIC appointment and won. It hasnt changed overall policy of the PCTs yet, but there is hope there for people.

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I look back at most of my life and think "WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING?!??"

If in doubt, SamanthaH, try. Some big cities have several PCTs, and so you might be under a better one.

this is mersey care policy hun check their website presume sefton is also under it not sure of boundries but untill further notice new patients wont be referred as they have a "working forum" to decide how to provide treatment in future which is a total load of rubbish.

here is the website check the policy at the bottem of the page this hasnt changed in a year!

http://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/services/clinical/psychological/amh_liverpool.asp

oh and squiggle fish it isnt an urban myth on this point i actualy studied nhs law at uni, they are obliged to have a policy and to offer to treat all recognised medical conditions the most important case for this is Northwest regional health authority case aka Lancashire mersyside etc back in 1998 where the judgement was made that pcts have to offer treatment however they are allowed to alocate resources based on clinical need and proportionality where resources are scarce. This means they must have a treatment pathway and access to treatment of some kind all though waiting lists etc are allowed.

My folks work regularly with PCTs, and although my wording may be incorrect, the essential meaning of both our statements is the same, it's simply a matter of interpretation. In your case, the "working group" and waiting for it to conclude is perfectly legal, not, as you implied, illegal.

I'll check with my folks to see if I can get a better definition.

yes technically a working forum isnt illegal not offering treatment is illegal and as a barrister in training it would not be hard to argue in court that over a year and no change in information amounts to indirect exclusion from treatment through the PCTs conduct under the guidelines which manage this field. Unfortunetly you need the budget the drive and desire to take on a court action like this and the benefits are not massive with simply massive waiting lists probably being decided as an outcome.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_rights/legal_system/help_with_legal_costs.htm
You're covered under that. If you are earning then an assement will be made on how much disposable income you have to whether you are applicable.
So unless you're rich and could afford it yourself anyway, you should not have to pay for your legal fees for this.
If Liverpool's PCT is doing what Wales is doing then challenging the PCT in court is the ONLY way you, as an indiviual can get a refferal to a GIC. Failing this you could sit on your hands and wait for PFC to challenge this, although that'll be on a legislative scale I'm sure and will take several years yet.

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I look back at most of my life and think "WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING?!??"

in fact our LGBT at uni is tackling them over this at present personally i dont have a problem with my treatment so its not an issue for me however im a law student and dont have time and the need to disrupt my studies to take this as a legal matter on board. The alternative to this however is what I am doing as a welfare rep on our LGBT I have got us behind getting a diologue going with the PCT hopefully leading to a conference meeting with us having the backing of the NUS behind us. Not as good as a court case but a start.