The Commission for Rural Communities is collaborating with the Department of Health (DH), the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA), and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to present a major free conference on the health and wellbeing of rural communities.

The conference is aimed at senior councillors and officers in local government, NHS executives and board members, and colleagues from the third sector. It will explore problems associated with living in dispersed rural communities, and the difficulties of service provision in rural areas. It will also challenge the perception that rural living is inherently healthier.

The event will be chaired by BBC journalist John Craven (Countryfile). Speakers, including anticipated ministerial involvement, will highlight practical responses to these issues from around the country. Sessions will include presentations and workshops, ranging from strategy development to successful local intervention. There will also be an exhibition highlighting the work of a number of relevant organisations.

Topics and case studies to be covered will include:

• Meeting the challenge of an ageing rural population: NHS Cumbria and South Lakeland District Council will be sharing how partnership working is delivering quality services for Cumbria’s older people;
• Access to Services in a Rural Context: Devon County Council will be sharing the findings of its recent Scrutiny Review into rural access to health and social care services;
• Improving Rural Health and Wellbeing: The Health Improvement team at the Welsh Local Government Association will be explaining its approach to rural health and wellbeing in Wales;
• The Public Expenditure Challenge for Rural Health Services: with insights from the Institute for Rural Health and Shropshire PCT;
• Social Determinants of Health: a member of the Marmot Commission team will be will be discussing the implications for health providers and local government.

Why attend
This event will offer a unique opportunity to:

• discuss with colleagues the health challenges that impact on rural areas,
• share good practice from around the country and learn how innovative partnerships and multi-agency working are effectively delivering health services in rural areas.

About the venue
Albrighton Hall is an historic country house located two miles north of Shrewsbury (mainline railway station) on the A528. Shrewsbury has good road connections via the M54 to the M6/M5 and other motorways in the West Midlands area.

Overnight accommodation at the venue is available.

Book a place on 'Healthy Rural Communities: a national conference'

Download the conference agenda

For more information, visit the IDeA website.