Review to tackle LGBT+ health inequalities; Engaging users to create digital health tools; At-home tests added to NHS App

First NHS review to tackle LGBT+ health inequalities

A new review will help the NHS understand how it can do more to meet the needs of LGBT+ people. The six-month review will build on significant evidence that LGBT+ people have worse access to healthcare, poorer experience and worse health outcomes than the general population. It will examine data and evidence from a range of research and clinical settings. The aim is to: 

• Identify barriers to accessing healthcare services for LGBT+ people.
• Explore experiences of healthcare, notably areas of poorer experience.
• Understand the impact of LGBT+ health inequalities on outcomes and patient safety.
• Clarify the specific health needs of LGBT+ people and how they should best be met, especially where there is evidence of poorer outcomes.

Academics, clinicians, public health professionals, local authorities, service providers, voluntary sector and other organisations are being invited to submit evidence by Sunday, 31 August.

Find out more about the review on the NHS England website here.

Study: Users must be involved in design of digital sexual health tools

A scoping review has concluded users must be meaningfully engaged as partners in the co-design of digital sexual health tools. Researchers found inconsistent user input into the development of digital sexual health tools. They say this may, in part, explain their mixed effectiveness in improving sexual health outcomes. The review looked at the approaches used to seek the views of potential users and whether their views meaningfully shaped development. Researchers found few studies asked users whether they saw a need for the tool in the first place, or what type of tool would best meet their needs. Only half of projects reported findings relevant to accessibility and these were often revealed without being deliberately included in the research design. 
Read the review in full via the Wiley website here.

Linking at-home health test results to the NHS App

A new partnership will mean at-home health test results can be linked to patient records and accessed via the NHS App. Results from MyHealthChecked over-the-counter tests can now be stored on the Patients Know Best (PKB) personal health record platform and will then be viewable in the NHS App. The tests include blood, DNA, thyroid, weight and food intolerance tests among others. Customers who use the tests can also choose to securely share their results with their GP or other healthcare professionals. The service is available wherever PKB is live with the NHS App. This currently includes 22 of the Integrated Care Systems (ICS) in England and one Health Board in Wales. 

Find out more about the partnership on the PKB website here.

Digital tools for adults waiting for ADHD assessments

A digital tool is being developed to support people with ADHD and help them manage the impact on their daily lives while they wait for assessment. Currently, adults who are referred for ADHD assessment can face waiting times of two to five years. Studies have shown ADHD can increase the risk of unemployment, relationship difficulties, mental health difficulties, and drug and alcohol misuse. The Waiting Well project will be shaped by those with lived experience. The team will conduct a 15-month pilot to explore the design of a new digital support tool. 

Find out more about the study on the Institute of Mental Health website here.

New resources for people living with long-term or serious illnesses

Online resources have been developed to help people with long-term or serious health conditions get the right advice and support when they need it. The Routes to Rights project provides information relating to a range of common issues relating to daily life and healthcare decisions. The project aims to help everyone understand their legal rights when they are ill or looking after someone else who is ill. It also aims to help professionals recognise these rights and work better together across services. Routes to Rights has also partnered with Access Social Care to offer use of its digital service AccessAva. This provides easy read resources, factsheets and template legal letters on issues relating to health and social care in England.

Find the resources on the Routes to Rights website here.

Consultation: Multiple medications guidance 

Individuals with lived experience of long-term conditions are being invited to two virtual sessions to discuss guidance around the prescribing of multiple medications. The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE), in partnership with the Scottish Government, is hosting the virtual sessions on 19 August to inform a consultation on the revised Polypharmacy Guidance 2025-2028. This new guidance aims to ensure medicines are prescribed in a way that is safe, effective and person-centred. 

Find out more and register for the sessions on the ALLIANCE website here.