Salford Taxis targeted in new health and safety push

To support Salford City Council’s priority to create healthy lives and quality care for all, Salford Licensing Service has joined up with Salford Public Health to offer the opportunity to taxi and private hire licensed drivers, vehicle owners and operators licensed with the Authority, funded Mental Health First Aid training and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) health checks.

This Public Health initiative aims to improve the health and safety of both taxi and private hire drivers and passengers by providing training that can help to improve mental health awareness, confidence in having mental health and wellbeing conversations and how to support others and signpost to available support and services.

The CVD health checks are designed to detect early signs of heart disease and provide people with the information they need to reduce their risk of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia while helping to prevent the onset of serious and long-term health conditions. This initiative also supports people to stay well in work.

The NHS Health Check programme is a cardiovascular disease programme and after the service was successfully relaunched in Salford in April 2023, 13,232 NHS Health Checks were delivered across the city, equating to 20.3% of the total eligible population by April 2024. This resulted in an increase of Salford’s rank to fourth highest performing local authorities (LA) in England, as well as and the top performing LA in Greater Manchester and the North West.

Councillor Mishal Saeed, Executive Support Member for Social Care and Mental Health at Salford City Council said: “As a City Council, we are fully invested in the health and wellbeing of everyone in Salford. That’s why it’s important that we support more people to live healthy lives for longer by promoting good physical and mental health.

“Taxi and private hire licensees deliver important transport services in our communities, to residents and visitors to the city, and supporting school transport. We look forward to positively engaging with licensees, providing health checks and mental health training opportunities, helping to support them in the management of their own health as well as being able to support members of the public, thereby fostering a positive and supportive environment."