Borough leading way with new accident prevention strategy

A new multi-agency strategy for Blackburn with Darwen is currently being developed to prevent the harms caused by accidents in the borough and provide better support when they do happen – and we’re seeking your views on it!

In the UK, accidents are the leading cause of preventable deaths and Blackburn with Darwen is taking a lead locally with a strategy that prioritises the reduction of accidents at key stages throughout a person’s entire life – the first RoSPA-certified (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) area to do so.

The draft strategy includes priority areas reducing accidental injuries: to 0-5s at home, to young people in their leisure time, as a result of road traffic incidents and to over 65s at home.

A public consultation is now running on the action plan within the draft strategy, and we’re inviting you to air your views before 5pm on Wednesday 13th August. We’d like to know what’s right with it, what you don’t agree with and what you would like to see added.

Targets within the strategy include: enhanced support for parents to identify and reduce risks in the home; working with young people to produce their own messages about risk taking behaviours; adoption of a successful Swedish approach to road safety thinking where no loss of life is acceptable as well as strengthening support networks and services for older people.

You can view the strategy and action plan via www.blackburn.gov.uk/hwbb or in paper copy at Blackburn and Darwen Libraries.

Let us have your comments on the action plan via a new Facebook consultation at: www.facebook.com/BwDPublicHealth, by email to publichealthadmin@blackburn.gov.uk, by post to Public Health Team, Floor 6, 10 Duke Street, Blackburn, BB2 1DH or by phone to (01254) 585345.

The strategy has been developed in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Council, the Clinical Commissioning Group, Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, emergency services, RoSPA and voluntary community and faith sector providers.

It is due to go to the Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Executive Board for approval in October.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said:

“This is a vitally important strategy – and an innovative one too, given that it aims to reduce accidents throughout a person’s entire life. Accidents can have a great human and emotional impact to people of all ages so it’s vital we do all we can to reduce them. A reduction in accidents will also bring about significant financial savings related directly to hospital admissions, health and social care. I would encourage everyone to have a read of the action plan and let us have your feedback via the various means available before August 13.”