NIHR recruits organisations to promote race equality in health research

Organisations delivering health research are taking part in a three-month reflective assessment of their delivery of race equality led by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

The assessment of health research includes organisations in higher education, local government, the NHS, the private sector and voluntary sector.

From now until December, 16 organisations will trial a new framework to assess how their current policies, practices and organisational culture could be changed to better serve diverse communities, foster improved race relations and ultimately improve healthcare delivery. 

This is ahead of a wider rollout of the final framework in spring 2022, which all research organisations will be encouraged to adopt. 

NIHR

Supporting deaf people who use British Sign Language

Results from an RNID investigation into how deaf people currently access information, support and services have been published via Medium.

Key findings from RNID's remote interviews with British Sign Language (BSL) users include:

  • Deaf people look to charities if they have information specific to the deaf experience.
  • A deaf person will usually choose the service which offers communication support or the opportunity to use BSL.
  • Deaf people are often responsible for finding workarounds to services that are not accessible to them.
  • Navigating inaccessible information leads deaf people to mistrust institutions, receive the wrong information, or miss out on opportunities.

As a result of the findings, RNID is looking to implement a series of recommendations, including translating existing online content to BSL and developing a directory of external, deaf aware services.

Medium

Guideline recommends children and young people are fully informed about their health

A new NICE guideline says positive healthcare experiences for babies, children and young people are vital to their wellbeing.

The guideline recommends ensuring children and young people are fully informed about their health so they are empowered to take an active role in their healthcare.

It emphasises the need to provide clear and accurate information which can be tailored to an individual patient’s level of maturity and understanding. 

Information materials should be developed in partnership with young people and presented in a range of formats using words and images.

NICE

Study: COVID-19 risk tools must reflect risks predominantly affecting ethnic minorities

A multicentre cohort study says COVID-19 admission risk tools should include multi-ethnic age structures, multimorbidity and deprivation metrics.

Ethnic minorities account for 34% of critically ill patients with COVID-19 despite constituting 14% of the UK population.

The study aims to understand deterioration risk factors to inform clinical risk tool development.

Authors concluded ethnic minorities exhibit higher multimorbidity despite younger age structures and disproportionate exposure to unscored risk factors including obesity and deprivation.

Household overcrowding, air pollution, housing quality and adult skills deprivation are associated with mortality risk factors of multilobar pneumonia on presentation and ICU admission.

They say risk tools need to reflect risks predominantly affecting ethnic minorities.

BMJ Journals

Inclusive language in health and care

In this article, Emily Lennon outlines why we must think critically about how and why we chose specific terms over others in health and care.

She says, if used carelessly, terminology can silence, exclude, and dismiss certain people and their experiences. 

But applied carefully, certain terminology has the power to bring underrepresented voices to the forefront while making people feel included and valued.

The article shares examples of the importance of language and tips for reflecting on language.

The King's Fund

Study launched to better understand COVID-19 vaccine response

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is leading a consortium of research partners to better understand how individuals respond to coronavirus vaccines.

Supported by £1.5 million in funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the project aims to understand why some people become infected after vaccination or prior infection while others do not.

It will also assess how long immunity from vaccinations lasts, how the timeline differs between the different vaccines and how changes in the SARS-CoV-2 virus’ genetic make-up might evade the immune response.

UKHSA

COVID-19 inequalities and public and patient involvement and engagement

In this Health Expectations article the authors discuss the impact of COVID-19 on health inequalities and public and patient involvement and engagement (PPIE) in research.

They say rapid changes during the pandemic, notably moving from face-to-face to virtual meetings, allows space to reflect on PPI practice.

However, there is also a risk reflection is conducted too narrowly.

They argue an inequalities lens ought to guide a deeper and wider reflection on PPIE practice.

Wiley Online Library

Survey: Chronic pain services in Scotland

The ALLIANCE is holding a survey to help inform a Scottish Government consultation on the Chronic Pain Service Delivery draft framework.

The survey is open to people who are currently accessing services for chronic pain, for themselves or someone they care for.

It is 17 questions long and should take no longer than five minutes to complete. Please share with your networks.

ALLIANCE

COVID-19 antibody testing information for general practitioners

The Government has published guidance for general practice on coronavirus antibody testing.

The guidance is designed to support healthcare professionals answer patient questions about the testing.

GOV.UK

Survey: Review of how NICE writes and presents guidance

NICE is reviewing how it writes and presents guidance to ensure it is accessible and clear. 

In particular it wants to hear how people use the recommendations and their questions abut the reasoning and evidence behind them.

The survey, which should take 15 minutes to complete, is open until 10 September.

NICE

Accessibility insights with the British Heart Foundation

AbilityNet has released the 50th episode of its TechShare Procast. 

The episode features the audio version of its free Accessibility Insights webinar with Ursula Dolton from PIF member The British Heart Foundation.

AbilityNet

HEE calls for responses from charities and independent sector

There are just a few days left to take part in Health Education England's consultation on the Long-Term Strategic Framework for Health and Social Care Workforce Planning.

HEE is particularly keen to hear from the independent and charitable sectors and private providers.

The call for evidence closes on 6 September.

HEE