New Horizons

As the UK navigates a new political direction I am reflecting on how our profession, and what we all do, will harness the new opportunities this now opens up. I am reaching out to individuals and organisations passionate about putting health and people first, to all those who understand the complex challenges we face. How can we, as a profession, communicate our key messages to deliver results which create positive health outcomes for our communities both in work and out of work locally, nationally and internationally. By focusing on people first we will come together to solve some of these massively complex issues.

Let’s be honest when those outside our profession read what we say it can feel difficult to be understood. As a profession, this is our time to come together and be forward facing, take questions, criticism and be proactive to demonstrate the value we add every day.

Growth comes from stepping outside of comfort zones and embracing change. For this we need to be supportive of one another across our networks where ever we may be. This is all about joining the dots.

Be Different

Be unconventional entrepreneurs, influencers, and transformational leaders. Empower and enable each other, build high performing teams and be the change you want to see.

The recent transition to a new Labour government presents us with unique opportunities to advocate for and implement policies which prioritise health and sustainability; the issues we care about.

Plugging the Financial Black Hole

This change in leadership brings renewed focus central to our mission, such as combating climate change, protecting our environment, decent working conditions, ensuring clean air and water, housing, nutritious, safe food and promoting healthy living environments for everyone across our diverse communities. If we, as a profession, can work together with the Labour government to focus on health protection, we will assist in plugging the hole in our public finances, estimated at an astonishing ￡22 billion. These preventative initiatives applied in the right way will potentially help to improve our current fiscal challenges.

Chancellor, Rachel Reeves is about to "announce immediate action to restore economic stability and deliver departmental savings this financial year."

I am wondering how we, as a community of professionals, can help to solve this. Let’s consider some facts.?

Labour party’s commitments:

How Labour will make Britain a clean energy superpower

?·?????? Set up Great British Energy to cut bills for good

·?????? Energy independence

·?????? 650,000 new high-quality jobs

·?????? Warmer homes to slash fuel poverty

·?????? Water companies forced to clean up our rivers

?Priorities for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

·?????? Clean up rivers, lakes and seas;

·?????? Create a roadmap to move Britain to a zero waste economy

·?????? Protect communities from the dangers of flooding.

?Environment

·?????? Nature’s Recovery

·?????? Flooding

·?????? Clean up rivers, lakes and seas

?Take Action

If this message resonates with you, consider writing to your local representatives, get to know them, be part of your community, get involved however much or little you can. Be persistently consistent and consistently persistent. The smallest actions or steps are always steps forward. Information on how is available on the web and this is the time to do it.

Mental health element related to the kings speech.

I am passionate about mental health, and believe the proposed Mental Health Bill will bring much-needed reform to the outdated 1983 Mental Health Act in England and Wales. Each year, about 50,000 people with severe mental health issues are sectioned. A 2018 review highlighted significant flaws in the current law, including misuse and inadequate protection of patients' rights.

The review called for important changes, such as new rights to challenge treatment and legally-binding advanced care plans, which this bill aims to implement. Previous governments have promised action but failed to deliver new legislation.

Mental Health is a public health issue. The most vulnerable in society are more likely to live in poor housing, in areas with poor air quality often working unprotected by health & safety laws. This is totally unsustainable. We have an important role to play in enhancing societal mental health in work and beyond the factory gates by advocating for decent, healthy working and living conditions for everyone.

Conclusion

In summary, our profession is a powerful and unique vehicle for change with a holistic perspective on societal health. Now is the time to persuade and hold our representatives in parliament to account. More than that, we can help plug this fiscal black hole by delivering healthy outcomes.

With the support of the new government, we will amplify our efforts to address the pressing environmental health and safety challenges of our time. This partnership opens doors to innovative solutions and collaborative initiatives to transform our environment and public health landscape.

This provides us with a platform to influence policy, drive advocacy, and implement best practices that will benefit both current and future generations. It is a time for us to harness our collective expertise and work together towards a healthier, more sustainable future.

I encourage us all to seize these opportunities with enthusiasm and determination. Let us continue to be proactive, adaptable, and resilient in the face of change. By embracing new challenges and working collaboratively, we will ensure our profession remains a cornerstone of public health, safety and environmental stewardship.

Together, we will achieve our goals and go beyond to make a profound impact on the lives of the people around us. It starts with each of us and just a simple, single conversation at a time.