The North East is "way behind the rest of the country" when it comes to how long people can expect to live healthy lives, while we also have the highest levels of "preventable mortality" nationwide, too.
These figures feature in a shocking report presented to NHS leaders as the organisation takes over the running of the health service in our area. Senior execs have now spoken of their mission to tackle public health issues here - which they warned are "among the worst in the country" on the back of "a century of declining prosperity".
As of July 1, NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) across the North East were replaced by a larger body - the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS). As part of this, a new Integrated Care Board led by experienced NHS leader and chief exec Samantha Allen is now in charge of decision-making in our region's health service.
