Reducing inequalities in BME patient experience

NHS England has published three new videos on "Learning from the experience of BME cancer patients".

The YouTube videos aim to help providers and commissioners understand how perceived bias, poor communication and dignity issues can leave black and minority ethnic cancer patients with poorer patient experience than white British people.

In the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey, BME patients report being less likely to have been involved in decisions about their care and less likely to have received an explanation of treatment they understand.

Last year, NHS England commissioned qualitative research from human rights charity brap to find out more about what is driving the difference in survey results.

This research was used to produce the three short films.

They can be used as training resources or discussion starters.

NHS England

What people want from the next ten years of the NHS

More than 40,000 people have shared their views on how the NHS can better support their overall health, and how it can improve care for specific conditions. 

Healthwatch was commissioned by NHS England and NHS Improvement to ask people how priorities set out in the NHS Long Term Plan should be implemented in their area. 

It found people's experience of care varied depending on their condition with people affected by cancer, heart and lung conditions reporting better experiences of care.

Other key findings include:

  • The NHS needs to avoid making assumptions about who will use technology
  • People feel frustrated by slow developments to online systems
  • People agree strongly with the plan's focus on making care more personalised
  • People would like healthcare professionals to get better at meeting people's individual needs when communicating with them. For example, written materials in easy-read formats.

Healthwatch

Fake news and credibility in medical publishing

In this article, Natalie Yeadon looks at how the pharma industry can help healthcare professionals, patients, and their families combat false and misleading scientific information.

She discusses the issue of 'predatory journals' and emphasises the importance of getting input from all relevant stakeholders, including patients and their families.

pharmaphorum

Digital technology potential 'not being harnessed'

A new report explores the impact of digital health technology on healthcare professionals and patients.

The Philips Future Health Index says many healthcare professionals are using digital technology but are yet to harness its full potential.

Its research indicated healthcare professionals recognise how digital health records can deliver on better health outcomes, improved patient experience and improved staff experience. 

However, many healthcare professionals are still not seeing the benefits.

Philips Future Health Index

Creating an integrated digital health system

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and Babylon have announced a 10-year partnership to deliver joined-up care to the entire population of Wolverhampton.

It is hoped Digital-First Integrated Care will be available for 300,000 people across Wolverhampton and its surrounding areas.

A single, free app will offer: remote access to GPs and hospital specialists, live monitoring and personalised care plans.

Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust

Podcast: Why language matters

Think Local Act Personal's latest podcast is on why language matters and the impact it has on people who access services.

Hosted by Linda Doherty, it features Catriona Moore and Sally Percival.

The podcast is accompanied by Catriona and Sally's blogs on jargon: Daring to drop the jargon and See me, I'm a person.

Think Local Act Personal

Podcast: Why PCNs need to understand people's experience of care

In this podcast, Lesley Goodburn discusses the role of PCNs in making sense of patient experience data. 

Lesley is senior improvement manager for patient experience at NHS England and NHS Improvement.

She argues general practice is where most people’s care journeys start or where patients will later have a chance to reflect on the care they received in other settings. 

PCC

NICE publishes updated principles

NICE has published a guide to the way it develops its guidance and standards.

The NICE principles document replaces the NICE Social Value Judgements (SVJ) document first published in 2005.

It is designed to help anyone interested in NICE better understand what it takes into account when developing guidance.

NICE

Maternity information on mental health 'could be improved'

A nationwide survey of maternity services has shown overall positive experiences but highlights more needs to be done to improve information on mental health.

The most positive results in the CQC's Maternity Services Survey 2019 relate to women’s experience interacting and communicating with staff in maternity services, particularly during labour and birth.

However, a significant proportion of women felt they did not have the access to the support they needed outside the labour ward or birthing centre and the quality of information provided about mental health could be improved.

Women were asked if they had been given information about any changes they might experience to their mental health after having their baby. 

One out of four said they only received this information ‘to some extent’ and about one out of eight (12%) said they did not receive this information.

CQC

Tweetchat: Illustrating mental health topics

Cochrane is hosting a Tweetchat on illustrating mental health topics from 8pm on Wednesday 12 February.

The chat will include debate on what works well when illustrating mental health topics, what doesn't and some examples of good practice.

More information on the questions which will be tackled and how to get involved are available on the Evidently Cochrane website.

Evidently Cochrane