Minister Praises Derry’s Health Initiatives
Focus on Community Well-being and Tackling Inequalities
Health Minister **Mike Nesbitt** received a firsthand update on pioneering intersectoral collaborations aimed at boosting health and addressing disparities within the Derry and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) area.
Driving Health Forward
The Derry and Strabane Healthy City and District Leadership Group hosted the minister, highlighting the crucial partnerships driving public health improvements. This cross-sectoral group convenes quarterly to steer the Healthy City and District project and foster collaborative opportunities.
Community-Based Success Stories
During the visit, details of the “Live Better” pre-diabetes community education program were shared. This initiative, recently implemented in the Bogside, Brandywell, Creggan, and The Fountain areas, is slated for expansion across the entire Council region this autumn.
“The meeting was a great opportunity to share a project which is already making a meaningful impact to people at risk of diabetes in our communities. We appreciated the Minister sharing details of the Health and Social Care Reset Plan, which aims to stabilise, reform and deliver our health services amid ongoing financial pressures. It’s encouraging to see leadership committed to addressing both the challenges and opportunities within the healthcare system whilst acknowledging the need to create health at community level.”
—Edel O’Doherty, Chief Executive of Developing Healthy Communities
Developing Healthy Communities spearheads Derry City & Strabane’s involvement in the World Health Organization’s European Network of Healthy Cities. The WHO defines a healthy city not by its current health status, but by its conscious effort and established structures for continuous improvement.
The project receives vital support from the Public Health Agency and the Derry City and Strabane District Council. The region’s commitment to this vision was recognised with its third WHO Healthy City designation in 2022, with a new program phase commencing in 2026.
Broader Impacts of City Investment
The discussion also highlighted the significant health benefits anticipated from the £250 million City Deal investment. Participants explored how broader economic and social factors influence the health outcomes of the local population.
This focus on community health aligns with wider trends. For instance, in 2023, the UK saw a notable rise in community-based health programs, with over 70% of local authorities reporting increased investment in preventative health services, according to a report by the Local Government Association (LGA 2023).
Further discussions touched upon the vital role of organizations like Action Mental Health Foyle in supporting community well-being.