Prof Chris Whitty: Deprived coastal towns need redesign

Prof Chris Whitty said plans should look to "recreate a sense of excitement" coastal towns enjoyed in the past

Seaside towns need to be redesigned for the modern age to tackle deprivation and health inequalities, England's chief medical officer has said.

Prof Chris Whitty said many coastal towns were built around industries like fishing and tourism that have collapsed over the past century.

Around the nation towns like Blackpool, Skegness and Hastings have "really significant deprivation", he said.

Attention must focus on "how we can re-invent them for the new era", he said.

"One of things we need to do with all of them is take a long-term view of how we recreate a sense of excitement that you had along the coast when these towns were first produced," he said.

In June, Prof Whitty published a report that highlighted the "overlooked" issues in coastal towns, which have higher rates of poor health and lower life expectancies.

Coastal towns have more in common with each other than their in-land neighbours, Prof Whitty said.

"These are really wonderful places, but alongside the beautiful areas on the coastline and some of the resort areas, very close to them you can often have areas of really significant deprivation."

Shared issues included poor housing and transport connections, he said.

It could also be difficult to attract healthcare staff to coastal towns, while there were limited educational and employment opportunities, he said.

Prof Whitty said that one solution would be to focus medical training colleges in deprived towns.

Students should also be encouraged to pursue careers in medicine, nursing and the care sector, he added.

The message to young people should be: "You can do it. Why not be a doctor. Why not be a nurse."

To learn more about the challenges facing coastal communities, watch BBC South East Today on BBC One at 18:30 BST on 27 September, or on BBC iPlayer for 24 hours thereafter

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