DDA political adviser raises rural health challenges in parliament

DDA advisor Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative) has asked the Government about their priorities for rural communities over the next two years.

The debate highlighted the challenges facing rural areas which include transport to, and choice of services, and poor broadband or mobile phone coverage.

Baroness McIntosh highlighted the resultant inequalities for dispensing doctors and rural GPs who are unable to issue electronic prescriptions. She urged Government to use the follow-up to the Darzi review to tackle these.

Health and wellbeing issues such as higher suicide rates and difficulties in accessing medical services in rural areas are addressed in a new House of Lords report Rural Communities: Issues and Support

Baroness McIntosh argues that for rural communities to thrive, sustained and focused interventions should be tailored to meet the specific needs of rural communities.

In response, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs minister Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab) acknowledged the transformative power of technology, such as virtual wards.

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