A presentation by Chief Medical Officer Harry Burns to the NHS event on 8 June on ‘Improving Health in Difficult Times’ recommends the ‘Asset Approach’, which:

• Identifies and makes viable the health assets in a community
• Sees citizens as co-producers of their own health rather than passive recipients of services
• Supports individuals health and wellbeing through enhancing skills for resilience, relationships, knowledge and self esteem
• Promotes community networks that can provide caring and empowerment