The Church Times reports that people in England who dream of “retreating to the rural idyll” do not always understand that those who live in the countryside face many social and economic challenges, according to the Bishop of St Albans, Dr Alan Smith

Speaking in a debate in the Grand Committee of the House of Lords last week on the delivery of healthcare in rural areas, Dr Smith warned of the difficulties rural communities face, including poor access to banks and cash; patchy broadband; sporadic mobile signal; virtually non-existent public transport; and minimal childcare.

He noted that healthcare provision was especially stressful, as it was “primarily and unsurprisingly” designed for an urban setting.

Dr Smith pointed out that rural populations were significantly older than urban ones: one quarter of England’s rural population are aged over 65.

He highlighted this older population “exacerbates the difficulties of delivering healthcare in rural areas, because those people are much more likely to require higher levels of intervention and support”.

Referring to statics by the Rural Services Network, which suggest that residents in rural areas receive 14 per cent per head less in social care support than those in urban areas, and the NHS also receives less funding per resident, he urged the Government to devise a strategy to improve conditions in the countryside.

Full article:

The Church Times - Bishop of St Albans calls for strategy to improve conditions in countryside