A HEALTHIER MERTON
Our health is the foundation for a thriving community, and key to a strong economy. It is fundamental to our wellbeing, and determines our ability to reach our full potential, and live the lives we choose.
We must switch our focus to prevention in local healthcare to reduce reliance on overstretched services. This will go hand-in-hand with preserving the environment, which has a significant impact on the health of residents.
For those who choose to live and work here, the Liberal Democrats want a healthier Merton – thriving neighbourhoods where everyone can stay active and well.
1. Establish Merton’s first dedicated breast cancer screening centre to catch cancer earlier and save lives. Currently, only 6 in 10 eligible women in Merton are screened each year, below the national average.
2. Improve access to specialist women’s health services with our Her Health Matters Strategy. Too often, women have to fight through red tape and non-specialist services for diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, menopause, and other chronic conditions.
3. Fight for St Helier Hospital and investment in the local NHS, pushing the Government to provide the £200 million needed to fix the repair backlog and make the hospital safe for patients.
4. Deliver a Health on the High Street programme, making diagnosis and vaccinations accessible in our town centres.
5. Support young people’s mental health and body image by hosting a summit with school leaders, mental health experts, and youth representatives to develop a new programme of work and resources. We will implement all recommendations of the Council’s cross-party Eating Disorders and Self-Harm Task Group and re-open the Council’s social prescribing service to help tackle youth mental health.
6. Re-focus the Council’s ‘Borough of Sport’ ambitions away from glitzy PR, and instead to increasing take up of team sports and improving facilities, and a focus on activities for older people.