Bywyd Da - Ceredigion's Health, Social Care and Well Being Strategy for 2008 to 2011.

The County Council and Local Health Board have worked together with the local NHS Trusts, other local partnerships, voluntary sector, the public and service users to develop this Strategy.

Welcome to the second Health, Social Care and Well Being Strategy for Ceredigion. We have called the Strategy 'Bywyd Da' as we believe that this sums up what we want to achieve for Ceredigion's residents.

Improving health, social care and well being is not something that one organisation can do alone. We all have a part to play as individuals living in our local communities through to large organisations who must take responsibility for the health and well being of their staff.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who are involved as carers, volunteers, public service workers and those in the independent sector who, on a daily basis, provide care and support to those in need in the county. Without these services the health and well being of many would suffer. We recognise in this HSCWB Strategy that we still have a lot more to do in order to improve health and social care services within the county through looking at the way we deliver these services.

As well as caring for those with health needs, maintaining and promoting good health is also an important consideration for all sectors of the population. This Strategy emphasises the importance of looking after our own health and well being through leading a healthy lifestyle.

We also need to work with our partners to continue to tackle the root causes of ill health by ensuring improved housing conditions, better employment opportunities, and enable lifelong learning in order to maximise health and well being.

Ceredigion is one of 9 entirely rural Welsh areas and this poses real challenges to us in delivering services as well as tackling health needs such as poverty that often remain hidden from the statistics gathered nationally. Addressing these inequalities is a top priority for us all.

If you would like any further information or a hard copy of Bywyd Da, please contact Gaynor Toft, Health, Social Care and Well Being Strategy Manager on 01545 574128 or gaynort@ceredigion.gov.uk