More than 1,000 Oxfordshire residents have contributed to a county-wide strategy designed to enhance local health outcomes in the next five years.

This collaboration on the health and wellbeing strategy for Oxfordshire, 2024 - 2030, is the result of a partnership between the county council, local NHS services, the city and district councils, and Healthwatch Oxfordshire.

Councillor Liz Leffman, leader of Oxfordshire County Council and chair of the Oxfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board said: "Health in the county is generally good compared with the national picture.

"Residents live longer here than elsewhere and remain healthy into older age for longer than the national average."

She also highlighted the challenges facing the community, including an ageing population, increased service demand, and continued problems with mental health and well-being, especially among children and young people.

Ms Leffman added: "We know there are still significant inequalities in health outcomes in many areas of the county.

"People in our poorest neighbourhoods are experiencing worse health than our more affluent areas and are dying younger from avoidable conditions.

"This is a reflection of the national picture – the life expectancy gap is widening in the UK.

“We know that by working together there are many opportunities to be had to tackle this.

"This strategy provides a strong and unified vision for the county over the next six years.

"We hope that it will allow us to tackle many of the barriers that people face in seeking good health and wellbeing, by focusing on the things people need to be healthy – stable employment, a warm home and environments that encourage healthier living."

The development and release of the Oxfordshire health and wellbeing strategy are part of the statutory duties of the Oxfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board.

The board adopts a joint-working approach aiming to enhance the health and wellbeing of all residents, especially those with health concerns or in difficult circumstances due to age or vulnerability.

The strategy builds on the themes in the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care System Strategy, published in March 2023.

It also integrates data and feedback from the Strategic Needs Assessment of Oxfordshire’s population and its health, wellbeing and social care needs.

In shaping this strategy, more than 400 residents and various partner organisations shared their views through a public consultation.

More than 1,000 residents, including those from seldom-heard communities, were actively engaged in discussing the challenges they face and strategies for healthy living.

The full strategy document and further details can be found on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.