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Showing results for tags 'Health inequalities'.
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Content ArticleAddressing health inequalities and improving patient safety were the two central health themes of the UK’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson, writing here on progress achieved on these themes is quick to emphasise the importance of good intelligence and the need for sharing of information across Europe.
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Content ArticleOn International Women’s Day 2021, feminist journalist Sarah Graham presented to the St Mary’s Women’s Network about the gender pain gap and how it harms women's health. The link below will take you to the slides and notes shared at the event.
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Content ArticleThis blog, written by Rageshri Dhairyawan and Darren Chetty for the Cost of Living website, argues that we must reframe conversations on racialised health inequalities. Drawing on COVID-19 as an example, they state: "How we choose to frame conversations about racialised health inequalities is crucial to ensure that historically underserved communities are not further disadvantaged."
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News Article
Covid death rate in prisons three times higher than outside
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
People in prisons are at an increased risk of COVID-19, with a death rate more than three times higher than that of the general population, and should be made a vaccine priority, according to public health experts. There were 118 deaths related to COVID-19 among people in prisons in England and Wales between March 2020 and February 2021, representing a risk of dying more than three times higher than that of people of the same age and sex outside secure environments, the research team at University College London (UCL) found. The higher rate of death comes despite extensive physical distancing measures, including prisons keeping many inmates in their cells for 23 hours a day. The lead author of the study, Dr Isobel Braithwaite of UCL Institute of Health Informatics, said: “Our findings show that people in prisons are at a much higher risk of dying from COVID-19 than the general population, and we make the case that both they and prison staff should be given high priority in the rollout of vaccines." “We believe the current methods of regime restriction are not enough to protect people adequately, and a systematic, ‘whole-prison’ approach to vaccination is key to preventing further outbreaks and reducing overall deaths in prisons.” The Ministry of Justice challenged the authors’ work, however, arguing it failed to adjust for worse health among the prison population than the community and movements of prisoners in and out of prison. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 16 March 2021 -
Content Article
Personal protective equipment is sexist (BMJ Opinion)
PatientSafetyLearning Team posted an article in Staff safety
COVID-19 has highlighted concerns around shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE). Authors of this BMJ Opinion piece argue that in our healthcare system, where 77% of staff are women, PPE does not protect female staff as well as their males colleagues. -
Content Article
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Today, Patient Safety Learning stands with others around the world to celebrate International Women’s Day 2021. In light of this year’s campaign theme “choose to challenge” we are raising awareness of some of the ways in which male bias can negatively impact on patient safety. Drawing on case studies and quantitative research, this blog focuses on three key areas: Design – using examples to illustrate how male-centric design of equipment and medical devices affects patient safety. Data – discussing how data which does not account for differences between the sexes impacts on patient safety. Dismissal – considering the recurring theme from personal testimonials, and healthcare scandals in recent years, that women’s voices and patient safety concerns are being ignored or dismissed. We will reflect on the key patient safety issues and inequalities in each of these areas and offer our perspective on what needs to happen moving forward to prevent future avoidable harm. -
News ArticleWomen and girls in England are being asked to share their experiences of the health system as part of a government strategy to address inequalities. Ministers say there is "strong evidence" services for female patients need improving. Fertility, maternity and menopause care are among the areas to be discussed. Campaigners say they are "delighted" steps are "finally" being taken to close the so-called "gender health gap". While women in the UK have a longer life expectancy than men, the Department for Health and Social Care says they are spending less of their life in good health. Nadine Dorries, minister for women's health, said: "Women's experiences of healthcare can vary and we want to ensure women are able to access the treatment and services they need. "It's crucial women's voices are at the front and centre of this strategy so we understand their experiences and how to improve their outcomes." Studies suggest gender biases in clinical trials are a contributing factor. Less is also said to be known about many female-specific conditions and how to treat them. Patients have repeatedly reported to the BBC that they have felt overlooked when talking to doctors about conditions like endometriosis or complications following a pelvic mesh repair. Read full story Source: BBC News, 6 March 2021
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Content ArticleThe Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) programme has now been collecting data on race inequality for five years, holding up a mirror to the service and revealing the disparities that exist for black and minority ethnic staff compared to their white colleagues. The findings of this report do not make for a comfortable read, and nor should they. The evidence from each WRES report over the years has shown that our black and minority ethnic staff members are less well represented at senior levels, have measurably worse day to day experiences of life in NHS organisations, and have more obstacles to progressing in their careers. The persistence of outcomes like these is not something that any of us should accept. It is in recognition of these realities that the People Plan 2020/21 has ‘belonging’ as one of its four pillars.
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Content ArticleThis article from the King's Fund examines the differences in health outcomes for ethnic minority groups, highlighting the variation across groups and conditions, and considers what’s needed to reduce health inequalities.
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Content ArticleA framework from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) setting out a coherent, national vision on how the UK will improve the lives of those living with rare diseases. The framework outlines 4 key national priorities: helping patients get a final diagnosis faster increasing awareness among healthcare professionals better co-ordination of care improving access to specialist care, treatment and drugs.
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Content ArticleThis book focuses on the consumer’s perspective and emphasises how advocacy can influence change in healthcare quality at multiple social levels. This introductory volume synthesises patient advocacy from a multi-level approach and is an ideal text for graduate and professional students in schools of public health, nursing and social work.
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Event
Reducing variation in healthcare services
Sam posted an event in Community Calendar
untilThere are many sources of variation in healthcare that can affect the flow of patients through care systems. Reducing and managing variation enables systems to become more predictable and easier to manage so allowing improvement of quality and safety. To effect successful service improvements, you need to understand the source of variation and use a range of tools to reduce and manage it. This pandemic has provoked the best of human compassion and solidarity, but those who manage our health systems still face extraordinary challenges responding to COVID-19. Looking beyond the crisis, our collective learning about the effects of the large falls in healthcare use can help inform and intensify efforts to reduce unnecessary care. The aim of this webinar is to build a culture of collaborative working across the healthcare workforce and reduce variation to prevent avoidable harm to patients, enhance healthcare equity, and improve the sustainability of health systems everywhere. Register -
News Article
Poorer areas falling behind on vaccination against coronavirus
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
The NHS is increasing efforts to reach out to ethnic minority communities in more deprived areas of England as analysis by The Independent shows poorer areas are vaccinating fewer at-risk people. Among the most deprived parts of the country, fewer people aged over 80 and in their mid-70s had received their first dose of vaccine against coronavirus by 7 February when compared with more affluent areas, sparking concerns communities most at risk are being left vulnerable. Comparing local NHS vaccination data with Public Health England’s deprivation scores for each NHS region reveals six of the most deprived parts of England were in the bottom 10 local areas for vaccine uptake among the over-80s and those aged over 75. The worst performing NHS region was East London, with just 73& cent of over-80s vaccinated by 7 February. East London was also one of the worst-affected areas during the second wave of the virus as hospitals became overwhelmed early on in the crisis. Dave Finch, a senior fellow at the Health Foundation, said: “Lower vaccine uptake in the most deprived areas is worrying as these areas have seen some of the very highest Covid-19 death rates. A higher likelihood of having poorer pre-existing health increases their risk of more severe symptoms if they do get the virus. And people living in poorer areas are increasingly showing signs of intense financial hardship as a result of lockdown measures." “The government must prioritise understanding why vaccine uptake has been lower in these areas and take urgent, targeted action to address this. However, in the longer term, there must be a focus on investing across the UK to address major health inequalities in order protect everyone’s health and wellbeing.” Read full story Source: The Independent, 18 February 2021 -
Event
Health disparities and health equity
Patient Safety Learning posted an event in Community Calendar
Jeffrey Bomboy, senior patient safety liaison at the Patient Safety Authority, will define health disparities, discuss the impact of health disparities in this country, and discuss actions to reduce disparities in healthcare. Register -
Content ArticleConvened shortly after President Trump’s inauguration in 2017, the Lancet Commission on public policy and health in the Trump era, offers the first comprehensive assessment of the detrimental legislation and executive actions during Trump’s presidency with devastating effects on every aspect of health in the USA. The Lancet Commission traces the decades of policy failures that preceded and fueled Trump’s ascent and left the USA lagging behind other high-income nations on life expectancy. The report warns that a return to pre-Trump era policies is not enough to protect health. Instead, sweeping reforms are needed to redress long-standing racism, weakened social and health safety nets that have deepened inequality, and calls on the important role of health professionals in advocating for health care reform in the USA.
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EventuntilThis Westminster Health Forum event will examine the key policy priorities for tackling health inequalities in the national recovery from COVID-19. Includes a keynote contribution from Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Professor of Epidemiology and Director, Institute of Health Equity, University College London. Key areas for discussion will also include: research and evidence - understanding the impact of the pandemic on inequalities and key challenges it has highlighted, and the use of data and population health approaches policy priorities - including investment and cross-government coordination tackling variation - supporting vulnerable communities, addressing regional imbalances, and tackling digital exclusion initiatives at a local level - place-based working, healthy communities, and the role of health service networks, local authorities, the third sector, and community groups. Register
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News Article
More deaths, worse care: inquiry opens into NHS maternity ‘systemic racism’
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
An urgent inquiry to investigate how alleged systemic racism in the NHS manifests itself in maternity care will be launched on Tuesday with support from the UK charity Birthrights. The inquiry will apply a human rights lens to examine how claimed racial injustice – from explicit racism to bias – is leading to poorer health outcomes in maternity care for ethnic minority groups. Data published last month by MBRRACE-UK (Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the country) showed black women were four times more likely than white women to die in pregnancy or childbirth in the UK while women from Asian ethnic backgrounds face twice the risk. Barrister Shaheen Rahman QC, who will lead the inquiry, said: “In addition to these stark statistics there are concerns about higher rates of maternal illness, worse experiences of maternity care and the fact black and Asian pregnant women are far more likely to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19. “We want to understand the stories behind the statistics, to examine how people can be discriminated against due to their race and to identify ways this inequity can be redressed.” Read full story Source: The Guardian, 7 February 2021 -
News Article
Are women the fitter sex?
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
In a Channel 4 documentary, emergency doctor Dr Ronx asks why more men die of COVID-19? Cancer and HIV too. They also challenge many dangerous gender assumptions in medicine impacting on women's health. View documentary (6 days left) -
EventuntilThis Westminster Health Forum policy conference will examine next steps for maternity services in England. Areas for discussion include: the Ockenden Review and the NHS Long Term Plan - progress and outstanding issues in meeting recommendations and ambitions relating to maternity care care during COVID-19 - adjustments in delivery, lessons learned, and possible directions for post-pandemic maternal care and recovery of services health inequalities - looking at priorities for how they can be address and improving support key issues for innovation, safety and regulation. Agenda Register
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Community Post
Landmark reform of mental health laws - what are your views?
Steve Turner posted a topic in Mental health
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The recent press release from the UK Government outlines a White Paper which contains the reforms: "Major reform of Mental Health Act will empower individuals to have more control over their treatment and deliver on a key manifesto commitment. Reforms will deliver parity between mental and physical health services and put patients’ views at the centre of their care. Plan will tackle mental health inequalities including disproportionate detention of people from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, the use of the act to detain people with learning disabilities and autism, and improve care for patients within the criminal justice system..." The report covers: "A package of reforms has been set out in a wide-ranging new Reforming the Mental Health Act white paper, which builds on the recommendations made by Sir Simon Wessely’s Independent Review of the Mental Health Act in 2018. At the heart of the proposed reforms to the Mental Health Act is greater choice and autonomy for patients in a mental health crisis, ensuring the act’s powers are used in the least restrictive way, that patients receive the care they need to help them recover and all patients are viewed and treated as individuals. These reforms aim to tackle the racial disparities in mental health services, better meet the needs of people with learning disabilities and autism and ensure appropriate care for people with serious mental illness within the criminal justice system." Do you work for Mental Health services? Are you someone who uses Mental Health services? What are your views? -
News Article
Black over-80s 'half as likely' to have been vaccinated
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Black people over the age of 80 were half as likely as their white peers to have been vaccinated against Covid by 13 January, a large study suggests. This is despite the fact black people are four times more likely to die with COVID-19 than their white counterparts. People living in deprived areas or who have severe mental-health conditions or learning disabilities were also less likely to have received a vaccination. The study was based on more than 20 million patient records in England. The OpenSafely study, by the University of Oxford and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, found of the million of those over 80 but not living in a care home: 43% of the white people had been given their first dose of the vaccine 30% of the Bangladeshi and Pakistani people had 21% of the black people had. Bangladeshi and Pakistani people are twice as likely to die with COVID-19 as white peple. Birmingham-based business owner Tru Powell told BBC Radio 5 Live of a "lack of trust between the government and people of colour". "People of colour have been subject to institutionalised racism within the healthcare system," she said. "We are five times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act and four times more likely to die in childbirth." Read full story Source: BBC News, 28 January 2021 -
Content ArticleWith allegations into racial discrimination at the workplace rarely upheld by employers or courts, Roger Kline, Naledi Kline and Joy Warmington give a set of questions for investigators to ensure more robust investigations.
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Content ArticleThe report of the Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health chaired by Sir Donald Acheson was published in 1998. The purpose of the inquiry was to inform the development of the government's public health strategy and to contribute to the forthcoming white paper, Our healthier nation. The report made a number of specific recommendations on a range of areas relating to health, environmental and social factors including: introducing health impact assessments for all policies that were likely to have a direct or indirect impact on health and health inequalities. appointing directors of public health in every health authority. placing a partnership duty on the NHS executive and regional government to ensure local partnerships between health and local government.
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News ArticlePeople in high-risk minority ethnic groups must be prioritised for Covid immunisations, alongside a targeted publicity campaign, experts and politicians have said amid growing concerns over vaccine scepticism. With figures on Monday recording more than 4m Covid vaccine doses now administered across the UK, and the rollout being expanded to all over-70s, public health experts and MPs called for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities to be better protected. The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) has also raised concerns after research showed up to 72% of black people said they were unlikely or very unlikely to have the jab. Prof Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs, urged Whitehall to begin a public health campaign. “We are concerned that recent reports show that people within BAME communities are not only more likely to be adversely affected by the virus but also less likely to accept the Covid vaccine, when offered it,” he said. “As such, where appropriate, we’re calling for public health communications to be tailored to patients in BAME communities, to reassure them about the efficacy and safety of the vaccine and ultimately encourage them to come forward for their vaccination when they are invited for it.” His remarks came as the vaccines minister, Nadhim Zahawi, admitted he feared some BAME communities could remain exposed to coronavirus despite high expected uptake of the jabs. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 18 January 2021
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News ArticleWhen pharmacist Ifeoma Onwuka, known to her friends as Laura, went into hospital to have her daughter, she and her husband hoped the delivery would go smoothly, and that they would soon be able to take their new arrival home to meet her siblings. Onwuka's labor was induced at James Paget University Hospital in Great Yarmouth in late April 2018. Things progressed quickly and there were soon signs that her baby was in distress, causing staff to begin preparations for an emergency Caesarian section, but Onwuka's daughter was born in the recovery room. Shortly after the birth, Onwuka's condition began to deteriorate. According to the family's lawyer, Tim Deeming, she began to bleed heavily, and was taken into surgery where attempts were made to stem the loss of blood. Hours later, and only after a second consultant had been called in, she was given an emergency hysterectomy. The mother-of-three died three days later. The coroner, Yvonne Blake, said an expert had told Onwuka's inquest that the delay to surgery contributed to her death, since acting early could have controlled the bleeding. Black mothers have worse outcomes during pregnancy or childbirth than any other ethnic group in England. According to the latest confidential inquiry into maternal deaths (MBRRACE-UK). Black people in England are four times more likely to die in pregnancy or within the first six weeks of childbirth than their White counterparts. Read full story Source: CNN. 14 January 2021
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