Mackay steps down from health role to stand for Scottish Parliament

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) March 25, 2011 -- SNP Councillor Derek Mackay has this week stepped down as Chair of Renfrewshire Community Health Partnership and Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board to stand for the Scottish Parliament.

The council leader was appointed to the roles in 2007 by nomination of Renfrewshire Council and approval by Health & Well-being Cabinet Secretary Nicola Sturgeon MSP.

It is required that, for a prospective candidate to stand for election, they do not hold such appointed posts and so Councillor Derek Mackay is standing down from the health roles to contest the Renfrewshire North & West Scottish Parliament seat for the SNP on 5th May.

Cllr Derek Mackay said;

"I have found my term as Community Health Partnership (CHP) Chair very productive, in bringing together a focus on health outcomes with the health service and the council. There remains much work to be done, but I am encouraged that during my time as CHP chair we made progress in key areas in Renfrewshire such as breastfeeding, oral health, smoking cessation, childhood obesity and in keeping delayed discharges at record low levels.

"Inequality remains a serious issue for Renfrewshire, with the general health and life chances of those from less well off areas still lagging behind the better off areas. The focus on inequality and action to address it must continue. I would intend to continue tackling inequality if elected to parliament.

"In my role I have tried to take radical measures to tackle the big problems that affect the health of Renfrewshire. We banned snack vans from school gates, held a summit and action plan on alcohol, and are now delivering a positive parenting programme. Early intervention and work with early years is critical to future health and well-being success.

"Of course a highlight was the opening of the joint Health and Social Work Centre in Renfrew with Cabinet Secretary Nicola Sturgeon MSP. This facility is a first class building in the town centre.

"I suppose a low point was when Labour blocked minimum pricing for alcohol, as that petty point scoring by them has undoubtedly cost local lives, an issue I would intend to take up in parliament if elected.

NOTES
Oral Health
5 year olds with no tooth decay:

2006/07 53.5%
July 2009 60%

Now toothbrushing in all Renfrewshire nurseries and most primary schools.

Smoking Cessation

Target is to have 8% of CHP smoking population successfully quit (at one month)

Good progress in pharmacy supported quits. New befriending volunteers now in smoking cessation teams.

Child Healthy Weight

Target to provide an intervention to 98 overweight children in Renfrewshire by March 2011. By December, 80 children had been through our new ACES (Active Children Eating Smart) programme. This is delivered in partnership with Renfrewshire Leisure and the Education Department. Policy to have fast food vans away from schools supports this.

Breastfeeding Rates
Renfrewshire new mums breastfeeding at 6-8 weeks;

Jan-Mar 2010 16.7%
Apr-Jun 2010 19.7%
Jul-Sep 2010 23.7%
Oct-Dec 2010 23.8%

Now have support workers working with maternity services and immediately following hospital discharge.