Agenda item - Chair's Communications

The Chair of the Board will start the meeting with a short update on recent developments on health and wellbeing.

3.1      The chair delivered the following communications:

          Baton of Hope

          On Wednesday 5 July, the UK’s biggest suicide prevention initiative,           the?Baton of Hope, stopped in Brighton & Hove as part of its 12-day tour         of the UK. 90 local volunteers carried the baton along the route, and           many shared their experiences of how they had been impacted by suicide and many moving stories of hope. Among the speakers were Cllr       Andrei Czolak and the mayor, Cllr Jackie O’Quinn.

          Events also highlighted the support available and the need to break          down stigma around mental health and get people talking about it so that       everyone can feel comfortable discussing their struggles and can seek help without fear of judgement.

          NHS75

          Also on 5 July, landmarks including the town halls, the pier, the Pavilion,     the Brighton Centre and the Mazda Fountain were lit up blue to celebrate     the 75th anniversary of the NHS. 

          The day was also used to launch the long-term plan for health and care       in Sussex. Our Plan for the Population sets out how Sussex Health and          Care partners will improve the lives of local people and support them to           live longer and have access to the best possible services when they need them. 

          The NHS Sussex ‘Let’s Talk’ team were out and about visiting local communities, networks, and groups around Sussex to share the plan, and talk with people about the difference it will make to health and care.  

          Zero HIV Stigma Action Day

          On Friday 21 July, we are holding the first zero HIV Stigma Day of Action         in Jubilee Square to help raise awareness about HIV stigma and for      everyone to learn about ways to help stop it.?There are activities   throughout the afternoon and opportunities to talk to people living with           HIV or those working in HIV prevention or support to learn more. Then   from 5:15pm there will be music from the rainbow chorus and a chance         to hear about the experience of different people living with HIV, as well   as from leaders and representatives from local organisations. I will be        there speaking in the evening, and I hope you will join me.

          Almost 75% of people living with HIV in the UK report experiences of         discrimination because of their HIV status in social, healthcare,   workplace, and community settings. HIV stigma prevents people coming    forward for testing and treatment. Understanding and combatting HIV stigma is everyone’s responsibility, and we want to reach as many           people as possible so we can achieve zero HIV stigma, and no new   cases of HIV.