A new report has highlighted significant inequalities in heart health across Kingston upon Thames, with those in the most deprived areas experiencing a five-year shorter life expectancy compared to the wealthiest residents.
The Annual Director of Public Health Report 2024/25, titled 'Healthy Hearts in Kingston - a focus on reducing health inequalities', is due to be presented to the Kingston Partnership Board on Monday, 23 June 2025. The report underscores that heart health problems are disproportionately prevalent among Kingston's most deprived communities. Early deaths related to heart conditions are identified as the primary driver behind the life expectancy gap between men in the borough's richest and poorest areas, and the second largest cause for women.
The report sets out recommendations aligned with the new Kingston Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2028. These recommendations focus on promoting heart-healthy lifestyles, creating supportive environments, improving risk detection, and increasing CPR training.
Also on the agenda for the Kingston Partnership Board is the Better Care Fund (BCF) 24-25 Year End Report. The BCF is a national program aimed at integrating health and social care at the local level. The report will detail Kingston's performance against national metrics, demand and capacity planning, spending, and key successes and challenges. According to the meeting summary, collaboration and partnership working have been key strengths, with examples around the UEC Delivery Board and the establishment of the co-located OT Assessment Hub in New Malden. Challenges include access to consistent data and increasing care market costs. The KPB Report - BCF Plan 24_25 End of Year June 2025.pdf will be presented to the board for approval.
The meeting, which is open to the public, will also include a 30-minute public question period. Residents can submit questions in writing to democratic.services@kingston.gov.uk by Wednesday, 18 June 2025.