MIDDLESBROUGH’S director of public health has highlighted prevention and early intervention as the key to improving public health in the town in his annual report.

The report is the first comprehensive overview of the issues facing Middlesbrough since responsibility for public health passed to Middlesbrough Council from NHS Middlesbrough in 2013.

In the document – entitled Moving Upstream – Edward Kunonga, Middlesbrough Council’s director of public health, points to the challenges confronting public sector organisations as the impact of major budget cuts and policy reforms continues to take effect.

Mr Kunonga outlines the key health and well-being issues for Middlesbrough, and makes a number of recommendations to ensure an effective and sustainable response to widening health inequalities.

Key areas cited in the report include poor outcomes for babies, children and young people and the management of long-term conditions.

Mr Kunonga said that ‘moving upstream’ – moving the emphasis from treatment and cure to prevention and early intervention – would be central to Middlesbrough’s approach to improving public health and well-being and reducing health inequalities.

He said: “This approach is the only way we can improve outcomes, reduce health inequalities and ensure the local health and social care system is prepared and equipped to cope with rising demand.

“Within these challenges and resource limitations are opportunities for greater collaborative working, to ensure that prevention and early intervention remains at the forefront of all our efforts Councillor Julia Rostron, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for adult social care and public health, said: “While we have made significant progress in a number of areas in recent years, Middlesbrough faces undoubted challenges which must be overcome if the town is to prosper in the long term.