1. Figure 1: Map of Aberdeenshire (with Fraserburgh circled)
Tackling health inequalities in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire
Chris Littlejohn Dr Jennifer Hall
Specialty Registrar in Public Health Public Health Lead
NHS Grampian Aberdeenshire CHP
Figure 1: Map of Aberdeenshire
© The Gazetteer for Scotland, 2009
(with Fraserburgh circled)
Used with permission from The Gazetteer for Scotland at
1. Aberdeenshire is a Local Authority area in the North East of Scotland, with a population of around 240,000 (figure 1). Fraserburgh is a coastal town, with a population of around 12,000. Based on the Health Domain of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD), Fraserburgh had three datazones amongst the most deprived in Scotland in 2009, including one in the 5% most deprived (figure 2). These three deprived datazones are all located within the intermediate geographical area known as “Harbour & Broadsea” and stand in contrast to other areas of the town.
2. A range of health inequalities are evident in the town (see figures 3 through 5 for examples).
3. Following a health inequalities workshop in September 2009 for the Aberdeenshire Community Health Partnership committee and Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership, it was agreed to build on previous work to develop integrated, outcome-focused planning, and to pilot this approach for Early Years in Fraserburgh. Fraserburgh was chosen as the pilot site, due to its deprivation status, its discrete geographical boundary, and the potential to build on existing services to improve health and reduce inequalities in the town (see overarching logic model, figure 6). It was agreed to use this planning approach to focus on the Equally Well early years recommendations, something which is being supported by the Local Community Planning Group and Fraserburgh Children’s Services Network.
4. The Early Years Project comprised a number of components, with the ultimate objective of piloting an integrated outcome-focused planning approach to tackle health inequalities (figure 7). These component activities were undertaken across the Summer of 2010.
Figure 7 Early years project components
Figure 6 Overarching logic model for reducing inequalities in health in Fraserburgh
5. In summary, through the Early Years Project, it has been possible to engage with local partnership groups and services and secure their support. This is one aspect of a wide range of complementary actions being progressed in Fraserburgh, targeting different age groups and the wider determinants of health (including income, employment, and food access). A range of funding has been utilised, such as the Fairer Scotland Fund, NHS funding, and NHS redesign monies, coordinated through the multi-agency Tackling Poverty and Inequalities Group of Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership.