Share for Better Care findings; Tackling inequalities in Roma communities; Cervical screening self-sampling study

Learnings from Share for Better Care campaign

A report by PIF member National Voices reflects on learnings from a campaign to tackle long-standing inequalities in health and care. Share for Better Care encouraged individuals and communities more likely to experience poorer care and less likely to give feedback to share their experiences. Share for Better Care: What we learnt uses feedback from National Voices members and lived experience partners to reflect on five critical areas for improving the campaign’s reach and impact: ease of use, accessibility, tone and language, data relevance, and the need to close the feedback loop. Share for Better Care was a collaborative initiative with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Healthwatch England and a wide range of voluntary sector partners.

Read the full report on the National Voices website here.

Creating accessible services for Roma communities

A campaign has been launched to help charities ensure their services are more inclusive and accessible for people from Roma communities. The Roma Support Group launched the Mishto Campaign in response to long-standing health inequalities. “Mishto” is a word used in Roma language to describe things as good, positive, inclusive or of good quality. Charities are invited to sign the Mishto Pledges which include:

• Ensuring engagement with Roma people is culturally sensitive and well-informed.
• Considering the main language, English proficiency, literacy level and digital exclusion of Roma people when planning activities or services aimed at their communities.
• Including Roma organisations, community leaders, professionals or activists when creating accessible communication materials.

Read more about the campaign on the Roma Support Group website here.

Study: Cervical screening self-sampling could improve uptake

A new study explores the potential acceptability of self-sampling as an alternative to current cervical screening among women from diverse ethnic groups. The Alternative CErvical Screening (ACES) Diversity study included focus groups with women from diverse ethnic groups, supported by interpreters for Mandarin, Cantonese, Polish and Urdu. It found self-sampling could increase cervical screening uptake amongst women from diverse ethnic groups. Three themes were identified – cultural considerations, desire for comfort and control, and confidence in testing. The women also supported the idea of having a choice in how to interact with the screening programme.

Read the full study findings via the Wiley website here.

Urgent call for standardised electronic health records

PIF member PRSB has joined the call for urgent national standardisation of electronic health records (EHRs) in eye care. A position statement by The Royal College of Ophthalmologists emphasises that standardised EHRs are essential for delivering safe, effective, and coordinated care in eye health. PRSB co-signed the statement which highlights the current fragmentation of EHR systems in eye care. In England alone, NHS trusts use more than 20 different EHR systems, many of which cannot exchange vital information. Additionally, primary care optometrists often struggle to access and update EHRs and NHS IT systems. 

Read more about the PRSB's support on its website here.

New app to provide personalised menopause support

A new app aims to help doctors manage menopause symptoms in the way that works best for individual patients’ health conditions. The digital decision-making aid, MENO.pause, was developed by doctors at UCLH and University College London (UCL). It uses guidelines from NICE, the British Menopause Society (BMS) and the British Gynaecological Cancer Society (BGCS). The aim is to help healthcare professionals in GP surgeries and hospitals provide high-quality, evidence-based treatment options for patients. The app has been supported by patient groups and menopause organisations.

Find out more about the app on the UCLH website here.

Survey: Share views on use of AI in healthcare

The European Patients' Forum is calling on people to share their experiences, expectations and concerns about the integration of AI technologies into healthcare systems. Patients, carers and patient representatives are being asked to complete an anonymous survey, which is available in 25 languages, by 21 August. The survey aims to gather insights on how AI is being used in healthcare systems. It will help shape EPF’s position on how AI technologies can be integrated into healthcare systems in an ethical, safe, and patient-centered way. Input is welcomed from people of all backgrounds, countries, digital and health literacy levels, and patient communities.

Take part in the EPF survey via the SurveyMonkey website here.

New and updated resources to support obesity management

NICE has published an updated toolkit of resources to help commissioners, providers and healthcare professionals implement guidance on overweight and obesity management. The new suite of resources includes visual summaries, a baseline assessment tool, and resource impact templates for NICE-recommended obesity or weight management medicines. NICE's guideline on overweight and obesity management recommends healthcare professionals seek to address weight stigma, use appropriate language and images, and focus on health and wellbeing rather than simply talking about weight. The updated resources include links to other support, including The British Dietetic Association (BDA) guidelines on eliminating weight stigma. 

Find the full toolkit of resources on the NICE website here.

Can the 10 Year Plan deliver benefits for children and young people?

In this long read, Dr Liz Fisher, a senior fellow at Nuffield Trust, examines whether the ambition to shift care from hospitals to the community can deliver lasting benefits for children and young people. Dr Fisher says missing out on the right interventions at the right time can have a lifelong impact on children's health and their wider life chances. Despite repeated national commitments to improve child health, children are still waiting too long for care and facing stark inequalities based on levels of deprivation. Dr Fisher recognises some proposed changes could have a positive impact on children's health services. However, she says history has shown that, unless children are clearly prioritised and specific success measures set, they are easily overlooked.

Read the article in full on the Nuffield Trust website here.