A CASE STUDY OF THE "TOWARDS 2010" PROGRAMME HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT

A health impact assessment case study of an innovative "Towards 2010" programme aiming to bring together health and social care organisations is described. The aim of the assessment was to inform the decision makers which of the four service reconfiguration options being considered would bring about significant benefits to the health and wellbeing of the local population. Overall, 600 positive and negative impacts were predicted across 11 broad determinants of health including employment and economy, education, transport, housing, visual amenity (environment), access to services, crime, lifestyle, pollution, health inequalities and family and social cohesion. The findings suggest that two of the four options seem to offer the best opportunity for improving the health and wellbeing of the local population and for linking into wider regeneration initiatives within the programme area. The outcome of the HIA places decision makers in a better informed position to develop appropriate policies for maximising positive and mitigating negative aspects of the proposals.