Institute of Rural Health

Simon Burns

Health Minister for England

"I support Rural Health Week because it is vital that every patient, no matter where they live, gets access to high quality healthcare and innovative new treatments. We are modernising the NHS in England to ensure this happens.

"This Government has protected NHS spending in England and is investing an extra £12.5 billion over the life of this Parliament so we can continue to deliver improvements in care for patients."

Glyn Davies

Montgomeryshire MP

“I urge everyone living and working in rural communities across the UK to give their total support to Rural Health Week to raise awareness of the excellent work that is going on to improve our health and well-being.

“This year’s theme ‘Achieving rural health and wellbeing - responding to a changing world’ captures the major challenge that Governments face in delivering health services to some of the most sparsely populated parts of the UK.

“Delivering health services to remote rural areas presents a different set of challenges to those of an urban setting and often requires an innovative partnership between service providers and local communities. The one size fits all approach to service delivery simply will not work in rural areas. Hopefully, Rural Health Week will highlight some of these outstanding partnerships as examples of good practice for others to follow.

“At a time of ever increasing pressure on funding for health and care services, we all have a duty to take more responsibility for our own health by taking regular exercise and eating and drinking wisely. Make it your mission during Rural Health Week to get out and walk in the countryside, as the autumn colours are glorious.”

Rebecca Evans

Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales

Member of the Assembly’s Health and Social Care Committee, chair of the Cross Party Group on Nursing and a sponsor of the Medicines Knowledge Base Programme

“I am pleased to be able to offer a message of support for RHW. This year’s theme, ‘responding to a changing world’, challenges us to ensure that people in rural communities can fully benefit from the fast-moving improvements and advances that are being made in medical technology and treatments. One example of how the Assembly Government is trying to do this is by investing in mobile breast cancer screening units, to take breast health checks to rural areas.

“The theme of ‘responding to a changing world’ also reminds us that our population is ageing and hence meeting the health and social care needs of older people – particularly those who live in isolated communities – must be a priority for all Assembly Members.”

Russell George

Conservative Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire

“If we are to meet the Welsh Government’s aspiration of having a world-class health service available to everyone, irrespective of who they are or where they live in Wales, then we still have massive challenges to address, particularly in rural Wales. Although people elect to live in rural Wales, they cannot or should not be consigned to having a second-class health service.

“Rural Health Week is an extremely important period in the calendar year where politicians, clinicians, voluntary groups and commissioners of rural health services can come together to discuss these challenges in detail. It is also a great opportunity to share knowledge and celebrate the tangible successes of creating innovative and local solutions to overcome the difficulties of living in such a remote environment.

“I wish everyone involved in Rural Health Week every success and I hope the deliberations will prove to be extremely enlightening.”

Lesley Griffiths

Minister for Health and Social Services

“The Welsh Government fully supports the Rural Health Week theme this year, which is “Achieving rural health and wellbeing - responding to a changing world”.

“We are committed to healthcare services and support for people in rural parts of Wales. Since our Rural Health Plan was published in 2009, 15 local innovation projects across rural communities in Wales were made possible through the Rural Health Innovation Fund.

“The projects are wide ranging, covering acute to long term conditions and engage volunteers and professionals across the board and include initiatives to improve access to services such as: hospice at home; mobile outreach services, telemedicine services, third sector engagement and co-ordination and innovative community pharmacy pilots.

“We recognise the effects of an ageing population will have more acute impact in rural communities. Through this programme, we are working to ensure people can access the care they need closer to home, helping people to live independently with good community support”

“Rural Health Week is an excellent opportunity to raise the profile of the health needs of rural communities.”

Emyr Jones

FUW president

“This year's Rural Health Week theme is an appropriate choice as we are living in rapidly changing times with regular reports being received of proposed cuts in vital rural services.

”Within the farming industry we are well aware that the age profile of rural communities is getting older and this has a major effect on the provision of health, social care and other services in these isolated areas.

“It means there will be more and more demands on such crucial services but all we hear is news about cuts in these vital facilities. The FUW is dedicated to the survival of rural Welsh communities and traditional family farms and this can only be achieved by halting the steady decline in our crucial services.

“The FUW applauds the Institute of Rural Health for its work in this respect and we urge all those with an interest in the needs of older members of our rural community to get involved with Rural Health Week.”

Peter Kendall

NFU President

“Farmers have a tendency to take their health for granted. Hard work and fresh air are a tonic in themselves. But it does no harm at all to remind ourselves from time to time just how many risks are out there, and how important it is that we are aware of them.

“That is why Rural Health Week is so worthwhile. It makes us stop and think, and if we stop and think, we are much more likely to remain safe and well.”

Siân Lloyd

Weather girl and television presenter

“I send my very best wishes to the Institute of Rural Health for a successful Rural Health Week and appeal to individuals and organisations to help highlight the innovative health and social care services that are delivered to our communities.

“One issue that threatens to impact on the health and wellbeing of people living in Montgomeryshire is wind energy. We are fighting to stop hundreds more turbines and a spider’s web of high voltage electricity cables from blighting our beautiful uplands and valleys, casting a shadow over the health of the people.

“Unless you have visited Mid Wales it is difficult to understand why we care so passionately for our landscape and way of life. It’s particularly difficult for city dwellers to understand that the specialist services that they take for granted are often beyond the reach of those residing in remote rural areas. It’s just as well that there is still a strong sense of community in rural areas where the people are so resourceful.

“Let’s hope that Rural Health Week reminds politicians across the UK that unspoilt rural landscapes are worth defending and our communities deserve the same level of consideration as urban areas, even if it means delivering health and care services in new and different ways.”

Gaynor Orton

Executive Officer Care Farming UK

"Care Farming UK wishes you every success for your 2011 Rural Health Week. It has been a pleasure working with the Institute of Rural Health to develop and establish Care Farming Wales and we look forward to further collaboration.

"In the same week, on September 22, Staffordshire Care Farming Cooperative is hosting an event for professionals working in social care, health or a related discipline to showcase the benefits of Care Farming for a range of individuals who require inspirational recovery-led day opportunities. The event is to be held at Willows Farm, Dove Walk, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, ST14 8EJ

"The next day (September 23) sees an open day at Woodside Rural Care Farm in Cambridgeshire hosting their special client group and project - Operation Warriors Return providing opportunities for Veterans & Servicemen.

"Also we have another two events in October for prospective care farmers on the 19th at Highfield Happy Hens and 21st at Growing Well. On November 4 a Food for Thought Launch event will be held at Lambourne End Outdoor Centre. See http://www.carefarminguk.org/News%20-%2008-5-11.aspx where our webmaster is updating the events and dates.

"I am also meeting with Sir Don Curry (soon to be Lord Curry) and the chief executive of Northumberland County Council to further care farming in that county on September 28. Their commissioners are ready with personalisation budgets but their care farms need to be increased and Sir Don Curry also farms in the county.”

Morgan Parry

Chair of the Countryside Council for Wales

"The Countryside Council for Wales is happy to support this years Rural Health Week. CCW has a role in promoting and enhancing the health and wellbeing of the people of Wales and has worked closely with the Institute of Rural Health to develop a position statement to this effect.

“We are happy to be the lead on the Wales Outdoor Health Forum, which aims to not only promote the use of the outdoors for health and wellbeing, but also to recognise the challenges faced in rural Wales in this respect.

“Rural Health Week is a great way to raise the profile of rural health and to promote collaborative working to tackle the issues faced."

William Powell

Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales and Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs

“Rural Health Week aims to celebrate the successes as well as to raise awareness of the challenges involved in delivering health and social care services to dispersed rural communities. It’s really important that people are aware of the unique challenges we face in rural Wales when it comes to health.

“This year’s theme – ‘Achieving rural health and wellbeing - responding to a changing world’ - I feel is particularly apt given the uncertain times Wales is facing. Events such as this are vital to raise the profile of rural health issues and I would urge any interested parties to show their support.”

The Rev Nick Read

Development Manager of the Bulmer Foundation

“As Development Manager of the Bulmer Foundation I am working for a charity that seeks to make Herefordshire a sustainable county in every sense of the word, including the sustainability of its people and communities. The Foundation has a programme of activities connected with health and well-being and we value enormously the contribution that the Rural Health Week makes to promoting this agenda. It enables us to be better connected, better informed and to develop valuable and long lasting partnerships with others in the field.”

Alexia Robinson

Founder & Organiser, www.lovebritishfood.co.uk and British Food Fortnight September 17 – October 2, 2011

"Love British Food is delighted to support Rural Health Week. The health of people in the countryside is of interest to us all. No farmers and food producers, no countryside, no food - simple as that. Any initiative that can ensure the countryside is a healthy, positive place to live in - with the necessary essential services - deserves our support.

“Next year we look forward to the biggest promotion of rural produce this country has ever seen with Love British Food 2012 running at the same time as the Olympics. Food and sport go hand in hand so what better opportunity to focus on rural health than when the world's biggest sporting event reaches our shores!

Good luck with Rural Health Week - hope it goes well!

Shaun Spiers

Chief Executive for the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)

“In most of our minds, life in the countryside is intrinsically linked to robust good health and the great outdoors, but sadly this is not always the case.

“We’re supporting Rural Health Week as it is a reminder that rural communities face many of the same health issues as urban populations, but often made worse as a result of poor access to services and poor transport links.

“We want people to be given more opportunities to walk and cycle safely and we are supporting local food initiatives, often closely link to healthy eating. The countryside is a hugely valuable resource for supporting the nation’s health and I hope Rural Health Week will help remind us all how irreplaceable it truly is.”

Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas

AM

“I’m delighted to be supporting Rural Health Week 2011. As the Assembly Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, one of the most rural constituencies in Wales, I’m fully aware of the health challenges faced in rural areas. Rural Health Week is a great way of raising the profile of rural health, and to highlight the examples of good practice that is already happening in our communities. As we continue to face challenging times, it’s vital that we all work together to ensure the wellbeing of our rural communities.”