• The population profile of the South Forest patch generally reflects the profile of the West Gloucestershire PCT area, with the exception of the 15-44 age group where the patch population (37.7%) is less than the PCT figure (40.3%). The patch also contains more people in the 45-64 age group (27.1%) than the PCT population as a whole (25.1%).
  
  
• The South Forest’s fertility rate is 56.7 (number of births per 1,000 of woman aged 15-44). This is very similar to the PCT’s overall rate (56.8)
  
  
• In terms of multiple deprivation, the South Forest patch scores fairly evenly across six of the indices (income, employment, health, education, housing and child poverty) but there is clearly an issue with access. In relation to the other patches in the Forest of Dean, the South patch generally scores higher on all indices compared to the North patch.
  
  
• During the 2001 Census, 8.4% of the patch population declared their health was not good. This is higher than the county average (7.5%) but not as high as the England and Wales figure (9.2%)
  
  
• Within the South Forest patch 18.3% of the population claim to be living with limiting long-term illness. This is above the county average (16.1%) and is one of the highest amongst the patches
  
  
• The patch is ranked third out of eight patches for the estimated diabetes rate in the over 16’s
  
  
• The unemployment rate (3%) is lower than the England and Wales average at 3.3%, but above the County average (2.5%)
  
  
• The South Forest patch has one of the lowest rates for all categories of crime reported in 2000

More information on the profile of the Patch can be found in the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report. Please contact the PCT for a copy or click here