BLACKBURN with Darwen’s director of public health will be a keynote speaker at a health and faith event taking place at Blackburn Cathedral .

Dominic Harrison will speak at the ‘Faith Communities and Neighbourhood Care’ event today.

The event is designed to understand the role faith communities can play in improving and sustaining health and wellbeing for local people.

Organised by the Cathedral, it is supported by a range of partner organisations including the Council alongside East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, local GPs and Lancashire BME Network.

The NHS Long-Term Plan, published earlier this year, places more emphasis than ever before on the importance of the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector.

The plan looks to expand delivery of care at the neighbourhood level, something which is moving on at pace in Blackburn with Darwen.

That means doctors, nurses, GP practice staff, social care staff, community reps and other professionals are working more closely together to help people stay well and get the care they need closer to their home.

Mr Harrison said: "This event is focussing on what contribution faith communities can make to improving health and wellbeing in neighbourhoods – with a special focus on prevention and early help."

"Faith communities have been in the business of health and social care in neighbourhoods and communities for a long time.

"This event is trying to help to connect what they do with and for their communities with what the NHS and local government is already doing.

"It promises to be an interesting and informative event from which we hope some practical actions will emerge leading to positive and outcomes for the residents of Pennine Lancashire."