Promoting race equality in public involvement in research

The NIHR has published a Race Equality Framework – a self-assessment tool to help organisations improve racial equality in public involvement in health and care research. 

The framework will help assess how policies, practices and culture could be changed to better serve diverse communities, foster improved race relations and ultimately improve healthcare delivery.

It was co-produced by members of the NIHR’s Race Equality Public Action Group (REPAG). 

REPAG aims to work with Black African, Asian and Caribbean heritage communities to strengthen NIHR’s understanding of race inequality in health and social care research.

NIHR

Inquiry uncovers damaging impact of imprisonment on women’s health and wellbeing

Prisons are unable to address the physical and mental health needs of women and can make them worse, an inquiry has found.

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Women in the Penal System (APPG) uncovered evidence of poor living conditions and rising self-harm.

It also found evidence of practices that compound the victimisation of women in prison, the majority of whom have experienced violence or abuse prior to their imprisonment.

Before the pandemic, self-harm rates for women in prison were five times the rates for men. 

This increased to up to eight times after the restrictions began, with some women self-harming daily.

The APPG heard many women enter prison in poor health and the prison environment gives them few opportunities to take control of their own health and wellbeing.

Howard League

Levelling up health by stamping out tobacco

A report by PIF member Asthma + Lung UK says significant action on smoking is essential if the Government’s ambition to add five years healthy life expectancy by 2035 is to be achieved. 

Clearing the Smoke says smoking is the single biggest cause of health inequalities, responsible for half of the difference in life expectancy between the richest and poorest in society. 

It is directly related to three of the 12 levelling up missions recently announced by the UK Government in its Levelling Up White Paper.

The report makes a series of recommendations including:

  • Restoring comprehensive stop smoking services
  • Additional support for communities and groups facing the worst health outcomes
  • Proper funding for mass media campaigns
  • Use of Very Brief Advice across primary care

ALUK

End of the Highest Risk List in Scotland

The Scottish Government has announced it is ending the Highest Risk List, formerly known as the shielding list, on 31 May.

It said, for the vast majority of those on the list, the risk of hospitalisation or death from COVID-19 has been significantly reduced.

The list is not being used to identify people who are eligible for vaccine prioritisation or new treatments.

Scottish Government

Communicating through COVID-19 and beyond

The Public Health Communications Collaborative has published key insights from its survey of public health communicators.

The US-wide survey in January 2022 received more than 600 responses from public information officers, community health workers, contact tracers and more.

Their reflections highlight the impact of public health communicators since 2020 and offer insights for protecting public health through COVID-19 and beyond.

Public Health Communications Collaborative

Patient Safety Congress Poster Competition open for entries

The Patient Safety Congress Poster Competition, recognising safety and quality improvement initiatives from the UK and around the world, is now open for entries.

Posters judged to meet the criteria will be showcased virtually to more than 1,000 congress attendees via the event app.

There is also a chance to be chosen as one of the 10 category winners and the overall winner, which is voted for by the congress audience.

More details on categories and how to apply are available via the link below.

HSJ Patient Safety Congress

MHRA seeking views on increasing patient engagement

Stakeholders and the UK public are invited to have their say on proposals to strengthen the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) code of practice.

The proposals include encouraging greater inclusion of patient experts so individuals with lived experience can contribute to discussions more easily.

They also include:

  • A register of interests accessible to all, updated to reflect any changes from members
  • The provision of more guidance on interests, to ensure members can provide relevant information
  • A new panel process to advise on complex or novel conflicts

The consultation closes on 24 May 2022.

GOV.UK

Updated information on staying safe at home with coronavirus

NHS England and Improvement has updated its information for non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

The leaflets on staying safe at home during suspected coronavirus infection were updated on 22 April.

NHS England

Tackling health inequalities through shared decision making

Late last year PIF took part in a multi-stakeholder round-table on Tackling Health Inequalities through Shared Decision Making. 

The event was funded by Abbvie and the report is now available to view online.

It recommends healthcare professionals should receive ongoing communications training to facilitate collaborative relationships between patients and clinicians.

It also says greater focus needs to be placed on delivering inclusive and accessible communications and patient resources.

Abbvie

Evidence cards on ageing, inequality and ethnicity

The Centre for Ageing Better has published a set of downloadable evidence cards highlighting inequalities faced by black, Asian and minority ethnic groups approaching retirement age.

It says the inequalities described are particularly significant as older generations become more ethnically diverse.

Centre for Ageing Better

NICE adds recommendation to managing COVID-19 guideline

PIF member NICE has added a new recommendation to its managing COVID-19 guideline.

The recommendation on nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid) for people at high risk of progression to severe COVID-19 was published on 13 April.

NICE

Using football to reach communities at risk of health inequalities

In this article, Adrian Bradley, Head of Health and Wellbeing at the EFL Trust explains how football is using its reach to support those at risk of health inequalities.

He outlines how the Trust uses the power of the ‘club badge’ and the affinity people have with their team, to deliver a wide range of health and wellbeing services. 

Its charities engage people within the existing fan base but also reach out to people who do not share their passion for football.

NHS England

Event: Rebuilding the nation’s health after COVID-19

An upcoming webinar will explore the findings of the Healthier Nation Index and discuss how we can rebuild following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The webinar, hosted by Public Policy Projects and Nuffield Health, takes place from 10am to 11am on 11 May. Speakers include:

  • The Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, Chair designate, NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board
  • Rachel Power, Chief Executive, Patients Association
  • Dr Davina Deniszczyc, Charity and Medical Director, Nuffield Health
  • Jo Bibby, Director of Health, The Health Foundation

Public Policy Projects