A scheme, which transformed the health of people in Brazil’s poorest neighbourhoods, is coming to south west London after successfully improving wellbeing elsewhere in the capital.
The scheme brings community health and wellbeing workers right to the heart of those neighbourhoods where health inequalities lead to lower life expectancy, compared to more affluent areas close by.
Community health and wellbeing workers visit people in their homes to provide advice and connect them to NHS, council and voluntary sector support. The workers focus on every aspect of life that can influence health, including housing, employment, social isolation and financial pressures, linking people with the help they need. Encouraging early detection, prevention and better management of illness are also a key part of the programme.
We can learn a lot from how global health services successfully address these issues.
A version of the Brazil scheme has been running successfully in Westminster where it led to an 82% increase in take up of cancer screening and health checks, as well as a 47% increase in immunisations. By directing people to the right services for them, the workers also helped reduce pressure on local GPs who saw a 7.4% fall in appointments per household.
In Wandsworth, the project will run on Battersea’s Doddington and Rollo Estate. It has received a £50,000 grant from NHS South West London’s health inequalities fund, which offered funding opportunities for innovative projects to tackle unequal access to healthcare.
A partnership project, it brings together the five GP practices in Battersea Primary Care Network, NHS South West London, Wandsworth Council, Wandsworth Community Empowerment Network and other community organisations.
This way of delivering healthcare is completely different to what most people are used to.”
The Brazil scheme has been a fundamental part of that country’s health system for a decade and has brought numerous benefits including a reduction in cardiovascular disease mortality by 34% in areas where it operates.
GP Dr Jenni Ellingham of Battersea Fields Practice said: “Following the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, health inequalities on our estates are more evident than ever. But we can learn a lot from how global health services successfully address these issues. This really simple and cost-effective scheme has significantly improved people’s health and wellbeing both in Brazil and other areas of London. We are really excited to be part of this project and to see how this scheme will impact the health of our local community.”
We want to ensure everyone can get the help they need to be healthy and well – especially during the cost-of-living crisis.”
Battersea’s first community health and wellbeing worker, Habeebah Green (pictured), will begin her visits in the coming weeks. She said: “I’m excited to be getting started and visiting people in the area. This way of delivering healthcare is completely different to what most people are used to. As a Wandsworth resident myself, I hope I can gain the trust of the community and encourage people to seek the help they need for any health or wellbeing concerns. I can also point people in the direction of sources of help, and be here to listen if people feel lonely, isolated or worried.”
Wandsworth Council’s cabinet member for health, Councillor Graeme Henderson said: “We are proud to be part of the partnership behind this innovative project. It will help us deliver our promise to make Wandsworth a fairer, more compassionate and healthier borough by giving tailored support to the people that need it most in their own homes. It’s vital that we reach people who may not usually engage with our healthy lifestyle programmes because we want to ensure everyone can get the help they need to be healthy and well – especially during the cost-of-living crisis.”