'Digital divide' among health inequalities in Hartlepool which must be tackled, say chiefs

Members of the Hartlepool coronavirus Outbreak Control Engagement Working Group have pledged to look at tackling the issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr Tim Butler, from NHS England, said they are aware of a number of concerns in regards to health inequalities relating to the coronavirus outbreak, which need to be addressed.

He said: “We’re very aware of issues of health inequalities and we know that the Covid situation is making that worse.

“There is a digital divide, services are moving more and more online and more video consults, and the most deprived don’t have access to computers and smartphones.

“We’re also aware with things like cancer, we’ve got a particular problem with cancer and access.”

He added strategies are being put in place to ensure primary care access for the ‘hard to reach’ members of communities.

Similar concerns had also been raised by Cllr Stephen Thomas, who noted he had seen existing health inequalities being widened by coronavirus.

He said: “Thinking about some of the conditions people have, such as people living with cancer.

“Part of that communication going forward has got to be around the importance of people accessing some of those services of treatment and care around some of those conditions people are living with.”

Council chiefs also stressed the importance of connecting with the community and voluntary sectors to communicate with those in need of care and support.

Mental health concerns

Cllr Christopher Akers-Belcher, representing Healthwatch Hartlepool, raised concerns over the impact the Covid-19 outbreak has had on the mental health of residents.

He said: “I don’t think we can underestimate the impact it’s had on people’s mental health as well, that’s a big concern of ours.

“If we can promote that with some of our key messaging out into the communities, because people really do need our help.”

This was also echoed by Cllr Thomas, who added the impact of Covid-19 on mental health to date is the ‘tip of the iceberg’.

He said: “I think there is a real need to get out the importance to people around accessing support at the earliest possible opportunity.”

Hartlepool Borough Council chief executive Gill Alexander noted a wide variety of initiatives are to be put in place to help support the health of people in the town.

She said: “A lot of the messages will not just be around social distancing and good hygiene.

“We’re going to have to be really focused on the wider health of the population, living healthier lives, both physically and also looking at some of the mental wellbeing and emotional issues.”

A message from the editor

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Hartlepool Mail website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/subscriptions to sign up.

You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off at https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/