Image: Dorset is to develop a new wellness strategy

Dorset County Council is to launch a public consultation as part of its plans to develop a new health and wellness strategy.

The move comes ahead of the formation of a Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) within the council next year, which will aim to tackle inequalities across the population as well as giving all residents the chance to lead active, healthy lives.

A list of priorities and principles has been drawn up to guide HWB's work and local people can now have their say on the strategy.

As utlined by the recent Health and Social Care Act 2012 – which was granted Royal Assent on 27 March – each county council in England is now required to establish a HWB.

Dorset's HWB was established earlier this year and will take on statutory powers in April 2013.

Dorset HWB chair Forbes Watson said: "We hope this strategy will help different agencies work more effectively together, making the most of our resources and delivering improvements in services which matter most to people in Dorset.

"I hope people will take a look at this document and let us know if they feel our priorities are right, if anything else should be included and how we can engage with communities and interest groups more effectively in the future."

During the public consultation, people across the county will be asked for their views on plans to improve health and wellbeing in the region

For more info on the Dorset HWB and its plans, click here.