Sheffield is one of the most unequal cities in Britain with a difference in life
expectancy of more that 10 years in areas only a few miles apart. Public
services must help close this gap. But the goodwill that these services depend on is being destroyed as staff are forced to put ticking boxes and meeting targets before caring for their patients.

“Service user” committees often have no real say in running the services. We support a universal Health and Social Service free at the point of need. We do not support Private Finance Initiatives to build hospitals or the creeping privatisation of the NHS.

The Health Service 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.

To build healthier communities, health professionals should also work with community groups, adult education initiatives, volunteer befriending schemes, & self-help groups.