Inquiry highlights urban-rural divide in accessing healthcare
A major inquiry into rural health and care has found many residents are 'comparatively disadvantaged throughout the life-course'.
It found people living in rural areas experience poorer access to health and social care services, are disproportionately older than average and often have complex co-morbidities.
The three-year investigation by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Rural Health and Care and the National Centre for Rural Health and Care also found the pandemic had major negative effects and resulted in an increase in the number of people migrating to rural areas.
It highlights the need for government to note the impact on health services of the growing rural population and for better data to inform funding and service planning decisions.
Analysis of the COVID-19 vaccination programme
The King's Fund has published a report into the COVID-19 vaccination programme in the UK.
The Covid-19 vaccination programme: trials, tribulations and successes is based on interviews with a wide range of people involved in the programme.
It sets out what successes from the programme, including cross-sector working and use of data, should be 'bottled and reused' for other NHS services.
Racial inequality in third vaccine dose for immunocompromised
PIF member Blood Cancer UK has condemned the 'alarming' racial inequality in access to third doses of COVID-19 vaccines for the severely immunocompromised in England.
NHS England data, obtained by the charity following a Freedom of Information request, shows take-up among white British people is almost double that of some ethnic minorities.
Eighty four per cent of immunocompromised people from a white British background had three vaccine doses by mid-December compared to:
- 43% of immunocompromised people from a Pakistani background
- 46% for people from an African background
- 47% for people from a Caribbean background
- 49% for people from a Bangladeshi background
The online information environment
A report by The Royal Society examines how digital technologies are changing the way people interact with information.
The online information environment also discusses technologies which can fabricate and detect misinformation and the role of technology in creating a better information environment.
It provides an overview of how the internet continues to change the way society engages with scientific information and how it may be affecting people’s decision-making behaviour.
The report highlights key challenges for creating a healthy online information environment and makes a series of recommendations for policymakers, academics and online platforms.
Report on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
PIF member the Psoriasis Association has published a report setting out key recommendations for improving psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis services.
Recommendations in More than Skin Deep: The Underlying Burdens of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis include:
- Prioritising psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis as interlinked conditions
- Empowering people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
- Recognising the wider impacts of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
The report was informed by the input of an expert working group, including leading clinicians and representatives from the Psoriasis Association and fellow PIF member Versus Arthritis.
Survey: Digital technology for young people with IBD
A group of patients, carers, healthcare professionals and researchers are collaborating on a project aiming to identify the top 10 research priorities for digital technology in adolescents and young people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The project team have created a short survey to identify as many unanswered questions as possible. The survey is open to:
- People under 25 years old with IBD
- Parents or carers of young people with IBD
- Health professional working with young people with IBD
The Priority Setting Partnership is a collaboration between the British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, British Society of Gastroenterology, the James Lind Alliance and NIHR Children and Young People MedTech Co-operative.
General practice access route campaign resources
Translated resources to help patients understand the different ways they can request help from their GP practice are now available.
General practice access routes campaign resources were developed with practices and patient groups.
A campaign toolkit guides practices through all the materials.
Other materials include posters, leaflets, social media graphics and a range of easy read and alternative formats.
Videos on maternal and neonatal immunisation
IMPRINT, a network focusing on maternal and neonatal immunisation, funded by the UK’s Global Challenges Research Fund, has produced a suite of videos relating to maternal immunisation.
Videos on vaccines in pregnancy and COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy are available with subtitles in languages including Arabic, Gujarati and Punjabi.
Time for patients and public to be involved in developing research ideas
In this NIHR article, Anica Alvarez Nishio and Steven Blackburn say the insight and input of patients, service users and the public has rightly become a standard part of research.
Now, they argue, research teams must share the reins with public contributors and allow them to take the lead.
Listening to those with lived experience of drug use
A new National Collaborative has been established in Scotland to ensure the views of people with lived and living experience are reflected in all aspects of the national mission on drug deaths.
Chaired by human rights law expert Professor Alan Miller, the collaborative will bring together people who have been affected by drugs to make recommendations to the Scottish Government.
Regular forums involving people with lived experience and representatives from third sector and public sector partners will be led by the chair and supported by a secretariat from within the Scottish Government Drugs Policy Division.
Document sets out relationship between Department of Health and Social care and UKHSA
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published a framework document outlining its overall relationship with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
It includes details of roles and responsibilities, accountability and governance and structure.
Event: Patient experience and engagement symposium
The Patient Experience Library and Leeds Beckett University are hosting a free online event on patient experience and engagement.
The event will look at how we can strengthen patient experience and engagement in the NHS and wider healthcare system.
It takes place from 9.30am to 1pm on Wednesday, 2 March.