Meeting of Mayors
The ‘innovation’ and ‘ambition’ to see Lincolnshire’s dental services improved was recognised by the Health Secretary during a senior Government meeting attended by Mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns.
Providing better rural transport was also discussed at the event, with our Greater Lincolnshire Mayor seeking assurances that Government support was available to address county challenges.
Dame Andrea raised both matters at the Mayoral Council, where England’s regional mayors discuss pressing issues with senior government ministers. Those attending included the Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander and the Secretary of State for Health Wes Streeting.
During a discussion on elected Mayors’ roles in the Government’s 10-year Health Plan, Dame Andrea highlighted the £1.5m investment that the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA), is making to support a new county Institute of Dental and Oral Health.
Welcoming the focus on innovation being demonstrated here in Lincolnshire, Mr Streeting confirmed to Dame Andrea that his department would engage with her and partners on how joint working could improve dental services nationally.
As reported in June, the GLCCA approved the use of UK Shared Prosperity funding to support the University of Lincoln’s launch of new education programmes that will enable local people to train and quality for careers in dental hygiene and therapy without having to leave the region.
In promoting the dental work, Dame Andrea was also keen discuss the challenges faced by people in rural locations – such as Lincolnshire – in accessing other aspects of health care.
Following the meeting, she said: “We have challenges within our health services of which we are all aware, and we are acutely aware of the particular issues that people in our more rural areas face.
“It is vital that we do all we can, as elected Mayors, to support innovation and to share what is happening in our areas to try and improve services for all. I look forward to either being involved, or facilitating, further discussions with Government to move this forward.”
Transport, a key priority for the GLCCA, was also discussed with the Secretary of State for Transport, outlining the new Integrated National Transport Strategy.
Dame Andrea again spoke of the pro-active action being taken by the GLCCA to create a Mayoral Rural Transport Group. She asked the Secretary of State to ensure a senior representation from the Department for Transport attended a group meeting. There where, she added, opportunities to work closely together to address rural transport challenges.