Haringey, in north London, has a diverse population of around 225,000 and was one of the first batch of councils to sign up to become an early implementer of health and wellbeing boards in March 2011. But the speed and energy with which the partnership has taken shape since the shadow Health and Wellbeing Board (sHWB) was set up has surprised even those involved in making it happen. Cllr Dilek Dogus, cabinet member for health and adult services at Haringey Council reports.

With some exceptions Haringey is divided east to west by enormous differences in wealth, opportunity and life expectancy. Some of the richest wards in the UK are located in the west, while the east contains several of the country's most deprived communities.