Sheffield is one of the most ‘unequal’ cities in Britain In neighbourhoods less than 10 miles apart, the difference in average life expectancy is more than 10 years. The Greens are committed to social justice and we believe that public services must help close this gap.

We support a universal Health and Social Service free at the point of need. We do not support Private Finance Initiatives to build hospitals, Local Improvement Finance Trust in primary care, or the privatisation of the NHS.

In Sheffield

These services should respond to the needs of the local community. People should only go to hospital if they really need to. More patients can be cared for at home if local health workers of all disciplines work in the community as a team, are equipped to provide technical care at home, and co-ordinate their work with social service workers.

We also want health professionals to work with community groups, adult education initiatives (such as counselling courses), volunteer befriending schemes, and self help groups. To develop our services and build healthier communities, we need local lay people to work with the professionals in a creative way.

What have we done so far:

• Supported the use of allotments by community groups.
• Campaigned for healthier school meals and asked the Council to scrutinise and then pass a motion against the fluoridation of water supplies, which can damage health.
• Highlighted the damaging effects of pollution from the M1 and air travel.
• Pressed for continued monitoring at the Bernard Road Incinerator, and Parkwood Landfill Sites

As Green City Councillors we will:

• Encourage ‘Walking Buses’ for the school run, promote policies to make cycling easier in town and help those most at risk of ill-health through lack of exercise.
• Support the Healthy Schools Standard and the ‘5 a day’ fruit and veg campaign.
• We will encourage more local sourcing of ingredients for school meals, and aim to remove machines selling branded drinks, snacks and sweets.
• Support restrictions on smoking in public places. Support and develop smoking cessation group work.
• Support the application of the new licensing laws to discourage irresponsible drinking.
• Support organisations like RODA (Relatives of Drug Abusers), and local workers for outreach with substance users and their friends and families.
• Promote the benefits of not using a car and support alternatives.