Barnsley Central MP and South Yorkshire Mayor Dan Jarvis met with the new cohort of Barnsley trainee district nurses to discuss the challenge of tackling persistent health inequalities in our local communities.

Commenting, Dan Jarvis said:

“It was a real pleasure to meet with the new cohort of trainee district nurses and discuss a range of vitally important issues from tackling health inequalities, the crisis in mental health and encouraging young people to get into nursing.

“Our district nurses do a fantastic job in the community – covering an incredible breadth of services to support vulnerable people. I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to them and their colleagues for the incredible work they are doing to keep our residents safe and our communities moving in the most difficult of circumstances.

“Shamefully, the poorer you are the younger you will die. That link between economic deprivation and health outcomes has meant Barnsley is suffering one of the highest Covid mortality rates in England, accompanied by severe economic pressure.

“It does not have to be the case that where you live determines how long you will live, or your quality of life. But, regrettably, a 60-year-old in Barnsley is much more likely to experience poorer health than a 70-year-old in Belgravia.

“The Government wasn’t doing enough before the crisis to address these inequalities – these are issues Barnsley has been dealing with for generations. We need the Government to put a clear plan in place to help our people lead longer and healthier lives. Because where you grow up shouldn’t determine where you end up – or how long you live.”

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