Sir Michael Marmot, Director of the University College London Institute of Health Equity, visited North Tyneside on Tuesday 24 March to support the borough’s work to become a Marmot Place.
During his visit, Sir Michael met senior officers including Jackie Laughton, Chief Executive, and Louise Gray, Director of Public Health. He also joined discussions with partners from local health, care and community organisations.
North Tyneside has started a two‑year programme of work with the Institute of Health Equity to strengthen its approach to reducing health inequalities. The programme will help the borough understand what is already working well, identify where more support is needed, and develop practical actions to improve health and wellbeing and create sustainable change for residents.
A Marmot Place is an area that bases its work on eight principles that look at the wider factors affecting people’s health, such as education, housing, employment and the environment.
Louise Gray, Director of Public Health, said: “Sir Michael and his team’s visit is an important early step in this programme. Working with the Institute of Health Equity will help us build a clearer picture of the issues affecting people’s health in North Tyneside and develop evidence‑based actions that can make a real positive difference for our communities.”
The visit marks the start of wider engagement with colleagues, partners and local communities as the programme develops.
More information will be shared as the work progresses.