Nick Harvey notes:

‘It is with pleasure that I can report that Public Health has recently issued the results of North Devon’s latest check up and on the whole it is good news. Our health indicators are generally good in particular men and women live longer in this part of the country. Levels of physical activity are also above average so we are fitter.

‘It is reassuring to know that the region’s homelessness, income deprivation, those on benefit, child poverty and teenage pregnancy are all below the national average for England. Though I would hasten to add that these are not matters over which we should be complacent.

‘Regarding the contentious issue of binge drinking estimates suggest that our region is also below the national average, which is reassuring. Despite this it is slightly worrying that hospital stays due to alcohol related problems are above average, as is the rate of people claiming benefits because of mental health problems.

‘Nonetheless, it is always pleasing to be told that we live in on the whole a healthy part of the world.’