We believe that Bristol should be caring city, where people can grow old with dignity, and where everyone who needs it is supported. Furthermore, it’s clear that a healthy population is a key determinant of economic success. In our manifesto for Bristol, we detail the following key policies in health and wellbeing that we wish to implement if Bristol votes for a Labour administration in two weeks’ time:

• Make Bristol City Council an Ethical Care Council. This will involve increasing the number of home care workers and community nurses, to ensure home visits last longer than 15 minutes, and to pay home care workers the Living Wage as set by the Living Wage Foundation.
• Support carers. Those who care for their loved ones should be supported, so we will work to ensure that they do not become isolated and that they have access to respite, educational and social opportunities.
• Prioritise mental health. We will work with the NHS to strengthen the capability of Bristol’s mental health services, improving access, focusing on recovery, and emphasising early intervention, especially for younger people and those at the greatest risk.
• Make Bristol dementia friendly. We will establish specialist dementia home care, provide training for those working with people with dementia, and increase accommodation and support for those who need extra care.
• Focus public health spending and work in greater partnership with the NHS. We will fight for more beds in hospitals and specialist units so that people do not have to travel overly far for care and treatment. We will also integrate care teams so that patients have a single point of access, and will ensure that the Director of Public Health has the resources to tackle health inequalities in the city.
• Demand greater health powers. We will seek to take control of health and care spending in order to provide a better, more coordinated service in the city.
• Protect social services. By supporting social workers we can ensure that we keep the skills and experience they have.
• Support the disabled. We will improve and develop access to employment and support for those with disabilities.

Overall, we are confident that these measures will be able to make a real positive difference for those who need healthcare in our city. You can read about the pledges, and those in other policy areas, in our manifesto by clicking here.

Image copyright Thomas Nugent and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.