A top North East public health figure has warned that spiralling heating bills are having a "significant impact" on health in our region - and that he hopes recent news of a devolution deal can help address the social condition which lead to ill health.
Tom Hall - director of public health at South Tyneside Council - has spoken out about how vital it is to deal with issues such as housing and employment if we wish to get a grip on the inequalities and chronic illnesses which play a hidden role in the NHS crisis. Speaking to ChronicleLive, Tom said that there can be a focus on scenes at A&E, but that queueing ambulances were a symptom of a much wider problem.
Tom was speaking as part of a campaign being led by the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board - he also has a role as "theme lead" for health inequalities in the regional integrated care system - to ensure vulnerable people have access to as much support with their energy bills as possible.
