Children’s health, dementia and the environment were highlighted as areas for improvement in the borough’s public health report.

The annual report was the first since Richmond Council took responsibility for public health and comprised four chapters, which give insight into topics and opportunities for improving health.

The report focused on early years, dementia, the environment and multi-morbidity, which are people with more than one long term condition.

Dr Dagmar Zeuner, Richmond Council’s director of public health, said: “This report allows me to highlight opportunities for tackling current and preventing future public health challenges, ensuring that Richmond remains a healthy place to live and work.”

The report said children had a good start to life but some risks and harms were hidden and opportunities to commission school nursing and health visitors could offer preventative services.

The report presented a needs analysis for dementia services for the borough’s aging population it said could be used to guide investment and suggested understanding multi-morbidity to better integrate services and treat patients.

The final chapter recognised that people in the borough benefit from parks and open spaces and said these must be preserved and new relationships forged to maximise opportunities in this area.

Councillor Christine Percival, cabinet member for health and children’s services, welcomed the report.

She said: “In order to properly address the health issues facing this borough, we need a clear and current idea of what they are.

“I’m pleased to report that we are one of the healthiest boroughs in London but, as ever, we are not resting on our laurels.

“The report identified some key areas that we need to work on and we will be addressing them as a matter of priority.”

To view the public health report visit goo.gl/zzByVe.