The ICBs is committed to reducing preventable ill health through delivery of the NHS Prevention Programme. The prevention programme contains a range of initiatives specifically looking at the early detection of disease and support for people taking their own action to better health through supported self-management.

Current areas of focus include:-

• Smoking is the single largest driver of health inequalities. The more disadvantaged someone is, the more likely they are to smoke and to suffer from smoking-related disease and premature death. We will provide access to tobacco treatment services for people using NHS services and will work with partners to deliver the shared commitment for Lancashire and South Cumbria to be ‘smokefree’ by 2030 – achieved when adult smoking prevalence falls to 5% or less
• Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of premature mortality in England, and the rate of improvement seen in recent years has slowed. It is one of the conditions most strongly associated with health inequalities, with people living in the most deprived areas being almost four times more likely to die prematurely of CVD than those in the least deprived area. We will ensure that people are identified early and that they are treated in line with evidence.
• Alcohol Care Teams – There is good evidence that by improving treatment and support for people with alcohol-dependence we can reduce the number of alcohol-related hospital admissions, reduce length of stay and improve outcomes for people who are dependent on alcohol. Two of the local NHS Trusts (East Lancashire Hospitals and Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospital Trust) have nationally-funded Alcohol Care Teams. These teams were funded as part of a national plan to identify and provide treatment for alcohol-dependent patients whilst they are in hospital and to ensure effective pathways into local community-based services for on-going treatment and support. The ICB’s aim is to work towards having appropriate levels of support and care for alcohol-dependent patients within all of our hospital sites and appropriate pathways into longer-term support and treatment in local community-based services.
• Blood borne virus (BBV) testing – There is a national programme providing funding for opt-out testing in emergency departments in areas with the highest HIV prevalence rates. This is a proven way to diagnose people living with HIV and re-engage people with HIV care. Testing has also been expanded to include hepatitis B and C. In Lacnashrie and South Cumbria, Blackpool Hospital is one of the sites incorporated in this national programme.