Infrastructure Delivery Plan (Feb 2013) - Runnymede Borough Council

Chapter 7. Health
Introduction
7.1 This chapter considers the infrastructure designation covering Health, and the following
topics:
• Primary Healthcare – relates to services provided by GPs, Dentists,
Pharmacists, and Opticians ;
• Secondary Healthcare – relates to acute health services provided by
Hospitals; and,
• Private Healthcare, Nursing, and Residential Care – relates to other
health services including services provided for adults and the elderly.
7.2 Health infrastructure capacity is affected by a number of variables that can change
rapidly across the delivery space such as health outbreaks or major accidents.
Alternatively, longer-term capacity is affected by changes in population demographics
across the Borough including increases in birth rates and increased in the life
expectancy impact all infrastructure service areas.
7.3 In Runnymede birth rates have varied from a low point reached in 2001. Births per
annum to 2008 have increased by 162 from the 2001 low point. This is an increase of
20%. Births are projected to increase based on ONS population estimates and
projected fertility rates.
7.4 Surrey's population (and Runnymede’s as a Borough) is projected to rise over the
coming decade, with notable increases in the number of older people. This will have a
major impact on service planning, as older people are more likely to experience
disability and long-term conditions. Part of the challenge will be to ensure the right
preventative and support services are in place so older people can remain independent
for as long as possible (JSNA Summary 2011).
7.5 The Runnymede Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) shows that when
compared to the population of England as a whole, Runnymede has a lower incidence
of hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. The incidence of all cancers in Surrey is higher
than that of England and the same as the South East Coast SHA (Strategic Health
Authority). The higher incidence could be due to people living longer with cancer in
Surrey. Runnymede has the highest incidence in the County for oesophageal, skin,
lung and cervical cancers.
7.6 Runnymede also has the 2nd highest prevalence of diabetes in Surrey and has higher
rates of obesity in young adults (between the ages of 16 and 34) than the Surrey
average. In terms of child obesity, within Surrey for 2009/10 Runnymede had lower
levels of childhood obesity than the majority of other Surrey Boroughs (reception and
year 6 analysed for JSNA). The JSNA reports that there is a strong positive
relationship between deprivation and obesity incidence for children in Reception and
Year 6.
Primary Healthcare
Existing provision
7.7 Primary healthcare refers to services provided by GP practices, dental practices,
community pharmacies and high street optometrists. About 90% of people’s contact
with the NHS is through these services. NHS Surrey provides healthcare to the
residents of Runnymede through a network of these practices and clinics throughout
the Borough.
7.8 Within Runnymede a separate group; Surrey Community Health, runs community
health services e.g. district and school nursing, health visiting and therapy services.
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Runnymede IDP DRAFT – February 2013