Project to help Ayr kids lead healthy lives

Dec 19 2008

AYR school kids stand a better chance of living long and healthy lives thanks to a new pilot project.

For pupils will benefit from improved health services at their schools as part of the Scottish Government plan.

South Ayrshire has been chosen as a pilot for the children’s health and wellbeing support pilot.

And it will be launched in the Belmont cluster of schools in January.

Public health minister Shona Robinson announced the plan on Thursday.

She explained: “An early start is the best start when it comes to building a healthy lifestyle and tackling the health inequalities which can blight too many lives.

“The health and wellbeing support pilots will help many more youngsters get a healthy start in life.”

The project was announced as part of the Equally Well Implementation plan.

Scotland’s chief medical officer, Harry Burns, said: “Tackling health inequalities is vital if we are to improve the health and life chances of all Scots, particularly those from our most disadvantaged communities.

“Equally Well is an innovative strategy which I believe can make a real difference.

“The challenge for all of us now is to turn the strategy into action on the ground.

“The implementation plan outlines how this will happen and is an important step forward in this process.”

Dorothy Gair is a development officer for the children's health and wellbeing support project.

She added: “The school health and wellbeing support pilots are designed to provide additional healthcare support in schools, alongside school nurses.

“Adopting a multi-disciplinary approach – using, for instance, dieticians and speech therapists – we can ensure that all children are getting the help they need for a healthy start in life.”