14 January 2009
Speakers from one of the most socially deprived areas of the United Kingdom will be addressing politicians and States of Jersey staff responsible for policy development at a conference on Friday 16 January.
Key Scottish representatives will be discussing ways to tackle deprivation and antisocial behaviour at the event, entitled ‘The Dynamics of Disadvantage: the 3Ds – drink, drugs and deprivation - investing in children pays dividends’, which is being held at the Radisson Hotel. Speakers include Professor Peter Donnelly, Professor of Public Health Medicine at the University of St Andrews, Detective Chief Superintendent John Carnochan from Strathclyde Police and Dr Harry Burns, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland.
The conference follows on from the International Summit on Health Improvement and Health Inequalities which was held in Edinburgh in April 2008. Senator Jim Perchard, Minister for Health and Social Services, who attended the summit with Dr Rosemary Geller, Medical Officer of Health, said: “I was surprised to find that Jersey and Scotland shared many health and social challenges. I left the summit determined to raise the issues discussed with my political colleagues and frontline professionals in Jersey.”
Dr Geller, who has organised the conference, will also be speaking and presenting the recent findings from a review of alcohol consumption in Jersey. She said: “I feel we can learn a great deal from our Scottish colleagues. The Scottish government are at the cutting edge when it comes to introducing policies and initiatives to tackle alcohol and drugs misuse and social deprivation.”
Delegates will have the opportunity to discuss how to develop policy and strategy which supports early intervention in Jersey as well as developing a guidance paper for future reference.
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