Local coastal towns Southend-On-Sea and Canvey Island will be joining the Coastal Navigators Network (CNN) in September 2025.
The Coastal Navigators’ Network, co-founded by coastal Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and NHS England, tackles shared challenges, drives innovation, and ensures coastal communities are not left behind in national priorities. The network also works collectively to attract further external investment into coastal areas.
In England, 19% of the population lives in coastal areas, which have some of the poorest health and wellbeing outcomes.
Tom Abell, Chief Executive Officer NHS Mid and South Essex said: “This work builds on the ongoing commitment of partners, communities and staff across mid and south Essex to provide tailored support in areas where it’s needed most and to reduce the unfair and avoidable differences in health outcomes in our local population.”
Cllr Dave Blackwell, Leader of Castle Point Borough Council said: “Canvey Island is delighted to join the Coastal Navigator’s Network and share best practice with other island communities that really understand the unique characteristics of island living in tackling the social determinants of health.”
The Coastal Navigators Network will be working with health and care system partners including the NHS Mid and South Essex, Essex County Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council and Castle Point Borough Council to achieve two initial priorities.
Firstly, accelerating the development of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams which bring together health and care partners to provide more seamless support for residents. In particular, ensuring proactive support for people with frailty and or needing end-of-life care.
The second priority will be using care technology to promote health, support people’s independence and reduce pressure on front-line services.
Krishna Ramkhelawon, Director of Public Health, Southend-On-Sea City Council said: “The fast-paced evolution of technology and telemedicine are reshaping how health and care operate to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes of local residents. We welcome the inclusion of Southend-on-Sea City and Canvey Island as part of the Coastal Navigator Network which will further enhance local collaboration between partner agencies, in transforming services and lives.”
Being part of the network will provide local organisations with access to shared expertise and learning from other coastal areas facing similar challenges. The network helps areas like Southend-On-Sea and Canvey Island test ideas, troubleshoot delivery, and adapt successful models from elsewhere.
Residents will also benefit from investment in the area and faster progress on local priorities.
Life expectancy, healthy life expectancy and disability free life expectancy are all lower in coastal areas. The death rates (Standardised Mortality Ratios) for a range of conditions, including preventable mortality, are also significantly higher than in non-coastal areas.
The recent NHS Mid and South Essex Health Inequalities report highlighted the continued progress made towards reducing health inequalities over the past year, including:
- A reduction in the number of young children from more at-risk areas needing teeth removed
- More people with a learning disability or serious mental health problem are getting their yearly checks
- Raising vaccination rates among high-risk groups
- Improving heart health in vulnerable communities