Our health and care system in Kirklees faces many challenges. Demand for services is rising due to an ageing population with increasingly complex health and care needs.
The number of people living with long-term conditions is growing, with more individuals managing multiple conditions. There are backlogs for NHS care which mean that people are waiting too long to be seen and treated. Because of financial pressures, we must use our resources more efficiently and make difficult choices.
Our infant mortality rate has been increasing. Kirklees has higher rates of smoking at delivery than the national average and the maternal obesity is higher than the national average. The rate of babies born into poverty is also increasing.
There is increasing demand for additional support to ensure children and young people with neurodiversity, social or emotional mental health needs or complex health needs have the opportunity to attend school and learn.
High proportion of people smoke and consume alcohol. A high number of people are above a healthy weight across their life course.
There is an increasing demand for health and care services and our population is presenting to services with more complex conditions.
People from deprived areas are less likely to access services, especially preventative services such as screening.
The Kirklees health and care system is under significant financial pressure. There are significant risks to the sustainability of our independent care sector and the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.
Long standing issues with recruitment and retention within the health and care workforce, particularly in the wider care sector where there is inequity in pay and conditions, continues to exist.
There is an increasing demand for emotional wellbeing services to support people with low mood and low level anxiety, particularly children and young people.