Levelling Up Health – the impact of COVID-19 on health inequalities

A new report from the All Parliamentary Group for Longevity (APPG) says COVID-19 has exposed the nation's poor health and health inequalities.

Ninety per cent of those who died with COVID-19 had significant prior poor health and the most deprived places in the UK had much higher mortality rates.

Levelling Up Health says a new healthcare system is essential to confront how unhealthy the UK is – the UK has the worst population health in Europe.

The report calls for a 10-year health improvement plan and suggests five key steps to 'level up' health.

The report also says the public must be enabled to take personal action and there is an opportunity for charities to explore how to develop communication strategies and social media campaigns for better health.

APPG

Survey: How to reach people with information for wellbeing 

Library and third sector staff are invited to take part in a survey to support the sharing of health information through remote activities.

The Enabling Use of Information for Wellbeing Through Remote Technology project will co-design and test a training framework.

The framework will aim to help library and third sector staff use remote technology to facilitate health literacy, creative reading and storytelling. 

It aims to combine the power of health and wellbeing information, remote technology, human empathy and communication to support resilience, recovery, and renewal in response to COVID-19.

PIF member The ALLIANCE is a partner in the project.

The ALLIANCE

Michael Marmot responds to Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report

In this article, Michael Marmot responds to the recent Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report.

While the report cited the 2010 Marmot Review, it did not reference Health Equity in England: The Marmot Review 10 Years On or Build Back Fairer: The Covid-19 Marmot Review.

Marmot says, if the authors had referred to this latest research, they would not have been so quick to dismiss the ''crucial factor' of structural racism in health inequalities.

The Guardian

Evidence collection on multiple long term conditions

The National Institute for Health Research has published a new evidence collection on multiple long term conditions (multimorbidity).

It says, the ambition for more integrated care, set out in the White Paper, has been central to strategies to address the challenges presented by multiple conditions. 

Yet research suggests this is far from sufficient to address the complex issues raised by the rising number of people with multiple conditions. 

The briefing aims to unpack the issues by exploring the impact of multiple conditions both on people’s lives and on the healthcare service. 

It looks at the dynamic interaction between different conditions – physical and mental – and between risk factors such as people’s behaviour, and socioeconomic status. 

NIHR

Study: Effect of prescribed information on hospital readmission and death

A study has examined the effect of physician prescribed information on hospital readmission and death after discharge among patients with health failure.

A control group was given routine oral information by the nurse or physician.

The intervention group received the Information Prescription from the physician as well as the routine oral information.

Fewer patients died during one year in the intervention group compared to the controls. 

Physician prescribed information was clinically and statistically effective on the reduction of death and hospital readmission rates among patients in long term follow-up.

Health Informatics Journal

HSJ Awards 2021 open for entries

The HSJ Awards 2021 are now open for entries. This year's awards feature a new category – Provider Collaboration of the Year.

The deadline for entries is 4 June and the awards ceremony will take place on 18 November 2021 at Evolution London.

HSJ Awards

The power of communication: engaging diverse groups in healthcare

In this article, Lisa Jane Lishman outlines why healthcare communication and the strategies behind it need to be more personal to ensure people – whoever they are – feel valued and respected.

She says patients no longer want to be passive receivers of treatment and instead want to be involved.

Outlining what needs to change, she says the first step to successful healthcare communication is ensuring it is delivered in a language which is understood by the target group using words and terminology that resonate with them.

pharmaphorum

NICE guideline on the assessment and management of chronic pain

A new NICE guideline says people with chronic primary pain should be offered a range of treatments to help them manage their condition.

The guideline on the assessment and management of chronic pain also says healthcare professionals should recognise and treat a person's pain as valid and unique to them.

NICE

Clear role for patients in technology advances

A report by the Medical Technology Group (MTG), of which PIF is a member, says there is a clear role for patients in technology advances.

Medical Technology Access Accelerator outlines elements which should be implemented to take best advantage of innovative medical devices, including a clear role for patients.

The report says patients are often the last to be consulted on the technology available to them.

It says decisions on the technology available and the true impact should always include a clear patient voice.

MTG

Shaping the future of digital technology in health and social care

The King's Fund has published a report looking at how digital technology will shape the future of health and social care.

The report, commissioned by The Health Foundation, analyses the way digital technology influenced health and social care before COVID-19 and how it has been used during the pandemic.

It found, although emerging technologies have potential and can be used to to support staff and patients with specific tasks, there are large gaps in the evidence base.

The report outlines three key factors in the future of digital technology in health and social care – helping the public to make the most of their data, supporting staff to maximise digital technology and developing local and national leadership.

The King's Fund

Liveaboard Boaters missing out on healthcare

A report by Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) reveals reveals 37% of UK Liveaboard Boaters have been wrongfully refused registration at GP surgeries and dentists.

If registered, Boaters are an average of 47 kilometres away from their GP.

Only 64% of Boaters reported having received an invitation to cervical screening or breast screening when they should have.

Only 53% of Boaters reported having received an invitation for bowel cancer screening when they should have.

Organisations working on behalf of Boaters estimate that between 15,000 and 50,000 people live on Britain’s waterways.

FFT

COVID-19 and workplace tool now available in six languages

A tool to help people find out more about returning to the workplace safely during the COVID-19 pandemic is now available in six languages.

The COVID-19 and workplace tool was developed by the European Lung Foundation in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive.

It has been developed particularly for people with a lung health condition.

The tool is now available in Arabic, English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish.

ELF

Survey: How have services for dementia adapted during COVID-19?

A survey is aiming to understand how social support services in dementia care have adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The survey is being conducted by the Department of Primary Care and Mental Health Institute of Population Health Sciences at the University of Liverpool.

Anyone who helps to deliver social support services to people with dementia, or carers who live in the community, is invited to take part.

Liverpool University