Introduction

The Health Action Zone (HAZ) was the first of a number of ‘zonal’ initiatives established by the Labour government between 1997 and 2001 (see also Chapter Twelve on Education Action Zones). The purpose of HAZs was to “bring together all those contributing to the health of the local population to develop and implement a locally agreed strategy for improving the health of local people” (DoH, 1997a). The government was explicit that HAZ strategies would need to be wide-ranging and ambitious; address the causes of ill health, including poor housing, unemployment, inadequate diet and smoking; and improve service interventions both in the NHS and by other relevant providers. According to the then Secretary of State:

Partnership was understood to be the key vehicle that would enable the resources of government to be brought to bear on improving health, reducing inequalities and improving services in a coordinated and coherent manner. HAZ partnerships would enable joint working between key service providers, including the NHS and local authorities, and would also facilitate the involvement of other interested stakeholders, such as community health councils, community organisations and the private sector. In order to achieve HAZ status, local areas would have to demonstrate their commitment to working in partnership to develop a local health strategy, in addition to justifying their bid with reference to prevailing health inequalities.

The invitation to bid for HAZ status was sent to health authorities, since they were generally perceived to be the lead partners in the bidding process. However, health authorities worked quickly to engage relevant local authorities. Local government representatives also saw themselves as senior partners in the HAZ initiative, because of their public health and social care responsibilities and also because of their past experience of working in partnership. According to one spokesperson: