Dudley Strategy for Tackling Health Inequalities 2010-15

will need to be developed to ensure an improvement in public health and a reductionin health inequalities.In the midst of these changes we need to safeguard the strong partnershipsdeveloped with people living in local communities in Dudley. Long before statutoryrequirements like the Duty to Involve came into being, public and voluntary sectoragencies in Dudley have been working alongside local communities to ensure thatpeople can affect decision making, influence change in the delivery of health andsocial services, gain experience and skills which may lead to a better quality of lifefor them and their families, and take ownership of their own health improvement.This work has been built on trusting relationships, which takes time to develop. Anincreasing focus on market-driven, cost-efficient models of service delivery brings aninevitable tension in keeping local people at the forefront of our thoughts and ourplans. In this climate we need to work particularly hard at valuing and sustainingthese relationships and ensuring they continue to be based on trust, respect,empathy and reciprocity.55