RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
[issued August 13, 1998]
National Home Safety Congress 9-10 November 1998
MINISTER TO SPEAK ON HOME ACCIDENTS IN DEPRIVED AREAS
Public Health Minister Tessa Jowell will make the keynote speech at a RoSPA congress to investigate ways of reducing home accidents in deprived areas.
The congress, entitled Reducing Inequalities in Health Through Effective Targeting, will focus mainly on the dangers facing children and the elderly.
The Minister will be among a list of distinguished speakers for the event at the Forte Posthouse, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, on November 9 and 10. This will also include Gareth Hills, Head of Community Fire Safety at the Home Office, and Dr Denise Kendrick of the Division of General Practice at the University of Nottingham.
The subject has been chosen by The Royal Society for The Prevention of Accidents because of the Government Green Paper Our Healthier Nation which gives accident prevention priority status.
Around a million children go to hospital each year as a result of accidents in the home and 370,000 over 65s need treatment in accident and emergency departments.
RoSPA Head of Home Safety, Sarah Colles, said: "We know that accidents are the greatest single threat to life for children and young people and that childhood injuries are closely linked to deprivation. We are delighted that the Minister has agreed to join us to debate this important topic.
"We want to be sure that the limited resources available for accident prevention are targeted effectively so that they achieve the maximum results. The congress will look at examples in the UK which have shown that the needs of vulnerable groups can be met."
