Inquiry into digital healthcare inclusion; Campaign for inclusive communication; Community engagement resource

Inquiry into digital inclusion and health

Evidence is being gathered on how the digital transformation in health services is affecting those least equipped to navigate it. The Digital Poverty Alliance’s national inquiry into digital inclusion and health is looking at what must change to ensure digital transformation does not deepen existing inequalities. The inquiry is focused on the real-world consequences of digital exclusion within health and care. This includes everyday interactions where people seek advice, book appointments, receive diagnoses and manage long-term conditions. Submissions are invited from individuals and organisations with first-hand experience of:

• Barriers to accessing digital services, devices, and connectivity.
• Digital skills, confidence, and health literacy.
• The effects of exclusion on older people, disabled people, marginalised communities and those in insecure housing or rural areas.
• The pressures faced by clinicians and frontline staff delivering care through digital systems.

Submissions are open until 30 July, and may be submitted online or by post. The inquiry’s final report will be published in early 2026, with recommendations aimed at ensuring digital healthcare is not only efficient but accessible, inclusive, and accountable.

Find out more about the inquiry on the Digital Poverty Alliance website here.

Blog: The three barriers to digital health inclusion 

In this blog for National Voices, Pritesh Mistry, Fellow at The King's Fund specialising in Digital Technologies, shares how digital health inclusion challenges can be addressed. Pritesh says the Kings Fund has identified three fundamental barriers to digital inclusion: access to devices, affordable internet connectivity and having the necessary skills and confidence to engage with digital platforms. However, even when these barriers are overcome, individuals may still face exclusion due to the design and implementation of digital tools and services in healthcare. Pritesh shares recent research with The Health Foundation which highlighted five key strategies to address these challenges and create more inclusive and trusted digital health services.

Read the blog in full and access the research via the National Voices website here.

Join campaign for inclusive communication

The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) has launched a campaign championing inclusive communication. More than Words: Communication for All highlights why good, inclusive communication matters to help people live well and engage in their communities. Inclusive communication includes the provision of BSL-English interpreters, Easy Read and being able to text or email instead of phoning to arrange an appointment. The campaign was launched after an ALLIANCE report found most Scottish public bodies, including Health Boards, do not track if or how they provide communication support. The report also found most people who work for these public bodies do not complete inclusive communication training.

Find out how to get involved in the campaign on the ALLIANCE website here.

New tool for community engagement 

A tool offering practical actions for people carrying out community engagement work is being piloted. Joined Up Care Derbyshire says the aim of the Community Insights Framework is to improve services. It aims to help staff talk to people more effectively by removing hierarchies, truly listening to people’s needs and providing a safe space. The resource offers advice across five areas of engagement: understanding power; enabling social action; building a picture of community experiences, needs, ideas and ambitions; connecting community and the integrated care system; and making a difference together.

Read more about the resource on the Joined Up Care Derbyshire website here.

Predicting the online information needs of domestic violence survivors

Researchers have developed an AI model to predict the information needs of survivors of domestic violence (DV). They argue DV is a significant public health concern affecting the physical and mental wellbeing of numerous women. Many women face barriers to seeking help in-person because of stigma, shame and embarrassment. This means survivors often turn to online health communities as a safe and anonymous space to share their experiences and seek support. The researchers argue understanding the information needs of survivors in online health communities is crucial for providing timely and appropriate support. They say a large language model can empower healthcare professionals to provide rapid and suitable assistance.

Read more about the research via the JMIR website here.

PhD project will research online health education 

Applicants are being invited to join a funded PhD research project which will explore the implementation and uptake of online education for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In West Yorkshire, GPs have begun recommending Kidney Essentials: CKD – an avatar-led training programme, to their patients with CKD. There is now a desire to roll-out the training more widely across West Yorkshire. This raises questions regarding how to support implementation and uptake at scale and about the impact on patient behaviour, health outcomes and healthcare utilisation. Students are being invited to register their interest by Monday, 16 June. The research is expected to lead to a set of evidence-informed recommendations for commissioners, ICBs and practices to guide future scale-up.

Find out more about the project via the FindAPhD website here.

Helping obese children lose weight

New digital 'smart scale' technology and specialist NHS clinics are aiming to help obese children lose weight and live healthier lifestyles. The new technology is being piloted at 15 Complications from Excess Weight (CEW) clinics. Around 350 patients and their families are already using the new technology. The smart scales connect to a mobile app which visually displays the direction of a child's weight management without displaying specific numbers. The data is also automatically transferred to the patient’s clinical team, who can keep in touch with the family through the app to support behavioural change without frequent visits to the hospital.

Read more about the clinics and technology on the NHS England website here.

Webinar: Helping people make end-of-life decisions

Compassion in Dying is hosting a free webinar to explore what is needed to build a successful public health campaign on end-of-life decisions. The discussion will include members of the public, clinicians, campaigners and end-of-life experts. The aim is to learn from previous campaigns and consider how to work together to support decision makers in Government, the NHS and the voluntary sector to co-produce a campaign. The hour-long webinar is being held on Monday, 2 June.

Book your place on the webinar via the Eventbrite website here.

Webinar: Co-creating mental health support

A free webinar hosted by Tellmi will share experiences of co-creating mental health support with autistic young people.Tellmi has been working with human-centered design organization Mima and Ambitious About Autism to develop an extension for its app. ‘A’ by Tellmi is a digital resource aimed specifically at autistic young people who are waiting for a diagnosis. The webinar will include insights from autistic young people and healthcare professionals who helped develop the extension. It takes place from noon on 12 June.

Find out more and sign up for the webinar on the Eventbrite website here.