Child health declines in the UK; New maternity decision aids; Recognition for health inequalities work
Child health is in decline
A report into child health across the UK has found children’s health is in decline. The State of Child Health report reveals outcomes have worsened or stagnated across nearly all major measures in 2026. This reverses years of progress and the impact is felt most sharply in deprived areas and among ethnic minority communities. The report, published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), explores 12 indicators of child health including mortality, obesity and oral health, and sets out recommendations for governments across the UK.
Read the full report via the RCPCH website here.
New maternity decision aids published
The Winton Centre at Cambridge University has published two new maternity decision aids. The new decision aids cover managing pain in labour and birth and choosing how to have your baby. Both were developed in consultation with users, healthcare professionals and relevant charities and comply with guidelines set out by IPDAS and NICE. Each tool also had an expert advisory group nominated by NHS England, which initially commissioned the tools. PIF director Sophie Randall was on the expert advisory group for both decision aids.
Download the decision aids via the Winton Centre website here.
PIF member responds to health secretary appointment
The King's Fund has published an article responding to Yvette Cooper's appointment as secretary of state for health and social care. The article argues her appointment sends a clear signal about the type of health and care agenda prime minister Andy Burnham wants to pursue. However, it adds that, with the NHS in the throes of major reform, the agenda may already be largely set.
Read the article in full via The King's Fund website here.
Study: Human-centered design of digital health dashboards
A new review explores the methods, barriers and facilitators associated with human-centred design (HCD) of digital health dashboards for the care of older adults. Key facilitators included ongoing user engagement, multidisciplinary collaboration and iterative prototyping. Barriers included limited digital literacy among older adults, challenges in recruiting diverse user groups and resource constraints. Researchers concluded HCD approaches improved usability, acceptability and relevance for older adults, supporting better self-management. However, inconsistent frameworks, a lack of global research and underuse of dashboard analytics were identified as challenges. They recommended future research adopt validated HCD frameworks, address acceptability factors and evaluate real-world use to develop more inclusive digital health tools for older adults.
Read the full study findings via BMJ Open here.
Health inequalities work recognised by Government
PIF member Barts Health NHS Trust has had its approach to inclusion and equity recognised by the Government. Separate projects to improve maternity outcomes and prevent heart disease among ethnic minority patients feature in the first annual report of the Race Equality Engagement Group. The group was set up last year to establish a dialogue between government and diverse communities.
Read more about the work via the Barts Health website here.
GSK IMPACT Awards open for applications
The 2027 GSK IMPACT Awards, managed in partnership with PIF member The King's Fund, are now open for applications. The awards are open to registered charities working in a health-related field in the UK. Up to 15 awards will be made, ranging from £5,000 to £50,000. Successful applicants also receive training and development valued at £13,500, a film about their work and promotional materials. The deadline for applications is 19 August. The GSK Community Health programme, for charities with income between £20,000 and £150,000, is also open for applications. The programme supports small charities tackling health inequalities. Up to 10 charities will receive up to £10,000 plus access to training and development valued at £5,000. The deadline for applications is 10 August.
Find out more about both award schemes and apply here.
AI transformation in charities
The Charity Change Collective has published a discussion paper exploring how AI transformation might play out in charities. The paper sets out nine hypotheses grouped into four arguments. The "why" names the costs of inaction and the shifting environment. The "how" sets out expected patterns across people, processes and technology and predicted mistakes. The "whole" shows how the dimensions meet in an operating model and the "opportunity" is about proactive transformation.
Read the paper via the Charity Change Collective website here.
Survey: Meaningful patient involvement in the NHS
The Medical Technology Group (MTG) is running a short survey on patient involvement in the NHS. The survey will help to inform a new report – From Patient Voice to Patient Power? Meaningful Patient Involvement in the NHS Before and After the Health Bill. The report will explore how patients, carers and patient organisations are involved in shaping NHS services and decision-making, and how this may change as NHS reforms are implemented. The survey should take around 10 minutes to complete and closes on 28 August. PIF is a member of the MTG.