Population Health Academy Newsletter

June 2026

April 2026

December 2025

Prevention and Inequalities Regional Updates

Publications and guidance:

  • The UK Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has published updated physical activity guidelines, which largely includes updates to the evidence and new supporting documentation. Several infographics have also been updated in line with new guidelines. This is to:
    • Reflect new research on adult physical activity published since the guidelines were last reviewed in 2019.
    • Strengthen messaging about even small amounts of physical activity being beneficial, and add emphasis on maintaining strength and balance (including for those on GLP-1 drugs).
    • Republish the rest of the document in a refreshed format, ensuring it meets accessibility standards and with new infographics.
    • Update and strengthen the messaging for adults, and to create and support opportunities to promote physical activity.
  • Policy paper outlining the framework agreement between the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA): 2026 to 2029. The paper outlines how the organisations will work together. It includes:
    • roles and responsibilities
    • accountability and assurance
    • governance and structure
    • management and financial responsibilities
  • A 1 year on update covering the first reporting year of British Sign Language (BSL) 5-year plan has been published. This plan sets out how the Department of Health and Social Care plans to improve the use of BSL in its communications in the next 5 years.
  • NHS England and DHSC have published the Sepsis Modern Service Framework
  • Quality Strategy for NHS funded care in England: The strategy provides a new structured approach to making quality the organising principle for all NHS activity in England over the next decade. Its purpose is to ensure people receive high quality care consistently across all NHS-funded services. By doing so, it aims to improve health outcomes, improve patient satisfaction with NHS services and reduce health inequalities.
  • Baroness Amos' independent investigation into Maternity and Neonatal services in England was published at the end of June 2026. The report places emphasis on tackling the drivers of poor pregnancy outcomes and notably recommends development of a modern service framework for maternity and neonatal within 12 months.

Prevention:

Health Inequalities:

  • The Core20PLUS5 handbook that has been co-created with colleagues from the wider system as a practical resource for organisations seeking to embed equitable access, outcomes and experience into service planning, improvement and delivery.  The Core20PLUS5 Handbook is aimed at people working across health and care systems to reduce healthcare inequalities, in clinical and con-clinical roles.   The handbook follows the core areas of focus within the Core20PLUS5 approach and provides practical guidance to support implementation.
    • The resource itself is broken up into chapters covering the ‘PLUS5’ – the resource will be added to over time as this is an iterative piece of work (please note: that not all chapters will be available on day one of release).
    • Chapters include: Chronic respiratory disease, early cancer diagnosis, hypertension case finding, maternity, severe mental illness (SMI) and smoking cessation.
  • Read how activity with employers is progressing to support the implementation of healthier, inclusive workplaces in the Department of Work and Pensions press release, ‘Keep Britain Working continues drive to stop people falling out of the workforce,’ published on 03 July on GOV.UK. The report shows shared responsibility and better data, supported by personalised plans will be key to helping people remain in work. 
  • The Government has launched its new Unpaid Carers Action Plan: Recognise, Refer, Reach, setting out a cross-government approach to improve support for unpaid carers in England.  The plan focuses on helping carers to be identified earlier, improving access to information and support, and enabling carers to fulfil their potential alongside their caring responsibilities. Key commitments include better recognition of carers within NHS services, support for young carers, improved access to employment support and benefits, and the introduction of a new ‘MyCarer’ section within the NHS App.
  • Inclusion health data and intelligence resource for England - an interactive inclusion health resource containing a summary of statistics already in the public domain and provides supporting information for organisations and networks to facilitate informed decision-making. This resource, first published earlier this year, has had the analysis updated with latest available data for July 2026.

Training, learning opportunities and events:

  • Comprehensive compilation of health economics resources - supporting local authority public health teams in conducting and assessing health economic analysis but may be useful beyond these teams. It brings together key tools, data sources, guidance and frameworks to help to design, evaluate and make the case for public health interventions in your area and support investment decision. If you have any comments or feedback on this resource, or you have suggestions for additional sources to include, please email at HealthEconomics@DHSC.gov.uk .
  • Funding opportunities - GSK IMPACT Awards and GSK Community Health programme applications are now open for the 2027 GSK IMPACT Awards and GSK Community Health Programme, funded by GSK and managed in partnership with The Kings Fund. 
    • GSK IMPACT Awards - For charities with income between £150,000 and £3 million. The GSK IMPACT Awards provide funding, training and development for charities doing excellent work to improve people’s health and wellbeing. Up to 15 awards will be made, ranging from £5,000 to £50,000. In addition, the training and development is valued at a further £13,500. Organisations will have a film made and be given a set of promotional materials. They will also receive help with press and publicity and pro bono offers from GSK. Deadline for stage one applications is 17:00 on Wednesday 19 August 2026.
    • GSK Community Health programme: Supporting small charities tackling health inequalities - For charities with income between £20,000 and £150,000. Running alongside the GSK IMPACT Awards, the programme supports small charities tackling health inequalities in their communities. It is open to registered charities that are at least a year old, located and working in the UK. Up to 10 charities will receive up to £10,000 plus access to training and development valued at £5,000. Deadline for applications is 17:00 on Monday 10 August 2026.
  • New eLearning to help schools support pupils with sickle cell and thalassaemia has been, developed by NHS England, for education professionals on supporting children and young people with Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia.

Other useful links:

  • The Model Health System (MHS) has begun implementing changes to reflect national updates to NHS commissioning geographies. The first phase of changes are now live within the MHS:
    • New ICB organisations have been added following mergers and boundary changes. 
    • Data for the new ICBs is now being loaded into the platform. 
    • Weekly and monthly metrics are beginning to appear against new ICBs from April 2026 onwards. 
    • Users can already select and analyse the new ICB organisations where data has been loaded. 
    • What changes will you notice? As these changes are introduced, there are four important points to be aware of: 
      • For ICBs that have not changed, trend lines continue as normal with uninterrupted historical data. Peer medians and national averages may change because ICB changes mean peer groups now include different organisations, and there are fewer organisations nationally. 
      • For newly created ICBs, data will only be available from April 2026 onwards, as these organisations did not exist before this date. Some areas e.g. theatres will initially display metrics against old ICBs, but these will be transitioned to new ICBs in a few weeks.
      • Historical data is not being recreated for new ICBs; historic values will remain aligned to the ICB structures that existed at the time. 
      • For ICBs that ceased to exist, data stopped on 31 March 2026. During the transition, some data may not align exactly with the descriptions above for all areas, as updates are being applied in stages across different metrics and services. A full list of affected ICBs is available here.  

Publications and guidance:

  • A renewed Women’s Health Strategy for England has been published. The strategy sets out how the government will improve women’s health and healthcare over the next 10 years.
  • The NHS Oversight Framework for 2026/27 has now been published. The publication contains a detailed overview of the process as well as methodology. Several metrics under the population health, prevention and reducing inequality domain are now listed as scoring metrics, including some on CVD, Tobacco and Obesity. With a commitment to continuously improving the approach, the Framework is considered a “1-year framework” which will be reviewed and updated for 2027/28. Comments or questions about this framework can be shared at oversightandassessment@nhs.net (please copy regional colleagues where possible as it is helpful to have an overview of any regional feedback - england.southeast.preventionandinequalities@nhs.net)
  • Faculty of Public Health (FPH) and the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) have called for accredited public health expertise to be built back into the NHS in England. There is a report available that includes recommendations.
  • The Cardiovascular disease (CVD) modern service framework has now been published. This framework sets out the government’s 10-year strategic vision for the health and care system to reduce premature deaths from heart disease and stroke in England.
    • It sets 12 priorities for earlier prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic risk factors, with a focus on reducing health inequalities and shifting care closer to home.
  • Updated contractual guidance for NHS dentistry around quality and payment reforms has been shared. 
    • These reforms will help dental teams provide care that better reflects the diverse oral health needs of people across England. The changes also respond to concerns raised by dental professionals about aspects of previous contractual arrangements that they felt limited their ability to provide optimal care.

Prevention:

Health inequalities:

Training, learning opportunities and events:

  • Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) colleagues are hosting a fingertips plus session
    • Tuesday 14th July 2026 @ 2pm – 3:30pm (Online, MS Teams)
    • Public Health in Focus webinars
    • Please note that the Fingertips Plus sessions are available to people who have attended and Introduction to Fingertips session, or who are experienced users of Fingertips.
  • SE region Public Health colleagues will be hosting a formal launch event for Tomorrow’s region: Health Equity in the South East:
    • Wednesday 15th July @ 3 – 4.30pm
    • Register to attend here 
    • There are two products available as part of this work – an executive summary, and the full resource, which includes substantial amounts of data and evidence across the 14 ‘spotlight’ topics.
    • Both documents, in pdf and PowerPoint format, are available on our new Health Equity in the South East - Futures Site – please do sign up to this site as this is where we will host the documents if / when we need to update them.
    • Both documents contain a slide (slide 2) on sharing / publishing restrictions – broadly, stakeholders are free to share with professional networks, but should not publish the documents on websites.
    • Feel free to share the launch event link, all are welcome to attend.
    • We will now be designing ‘Phase 2’ of the work, which will focus on co-developing and implementing responses to the findings, likely starting with some prioritised key spotlight areas, cross-cutting findings, and/or audiences.
  • The Strategic Commissioning Development Programme is a national development offer for integrated care boards (ICBs) and their partners. It is designed to help ICBs strengthen their role as strategic commissioners in line with the new operating model, including the Model ICB Blueprint and the Strategic Commissioning Framework.

Other useful links:

Publications and guidance:

  • A new publication on smoking, health and social justice from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) examines the effects of smoking that are increasingly concentrated among people already living in poverty, poor health and with social exclusion. It calls on the UK government to adopt opt-out treatment models across all NHS services.
  • The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published its strategy for 2026 to 2029 outlining ambitions and priority deliverables to protect people from current and future health threats.
  • Further guidance has been shared around strengthening public health expertise within integrated care boards. This guidance supports integrated care boards (ICBs) in embedding public health expertise into governance, commissioning and service transformation. The aim is to drive efficiency, improve outcomes and reduce health inequalities.

Prevention:

Health Inequalities:

Training, learning opportunities and events:

  • The NHS SE Region team are hosting a lunch and learn session for the Digital Weight Management Programme (DWMP)
    • 4th June 2026 @ 12-1pm (online)
    • The aim of the session is to explain what the programme is, eligibility criteria, how people may benefit and to support improved engagement and referrals in the region.
    • The session is primarily aimed those working in general practice but is open to other colleagues that may be interested
    • Please register for the event here
  • The Health Innovation Network is hosting a webinar to present on work being done across the West of England and East Midlands to optimise the existing NHS Tobacco Dependency pathway.
    • Friday 12 June @ 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm (online)
    • The session will explore how the innovations will help with identifying opportunities to increase patient engagement with stop smoking services, smoking cessation medications, and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in both hospital and community settings.
    • Please register here
  • The Smoking Cessation and Health (SCAH) conference for 2026 will be taking place on 15th September 2026.
    • It will be a hybrid conference with opportunities to attend online or in person in Birmingham.
    • Please see details of how to register for the conference here
  • The next AI Ambassadors meeting will focus on closing the disability gap with AI, digital literacy and bite sized learning.
    • 3rd June 2026 @ 10:30am – 12pm (online)
    • Register here
  • Applications will open for the Thames Valley Practitioner Development Scheme 2026 on 21 May 2026 at 10:00am.  
    • Please go to the Thames School of Public Health website, practitioner scheme section and read ‘About the Scheme’ for your eligibility before making your application. From the 21 May you can make your application by going to the application tab.
    • Applications will close on 11 June at 12:00.
    • If you wish to apply, we advise you attend the webinar on 2 June at 14:00 – 13:00, where we will go over the application process. To book your place, complete this MS form and you will be sent a Teams invitation.
  • Application for Public Health practitioner scheme in Kent, Surrey and Sussex is also now open until 11th June 2026 at 12pm.
  • Join an inspiring national webinar that celebrates progress, shares best practice, and looks ahead to the future of smoking in pregnancy services across England.
    • Date: 1st July 2026
    • Time: 12:00 – 1:00pm
    • Platform: Microsoft Teams
    • Register here
  • Webinar: Inclusion health and multiple disadvantage; Driving action in a new system landscape.
    • Monday 6th July @ 13:00 - 14:30 (online)
    • Share new resources to support regional and local work on inclusion health and multiple disadvantage. The resources have been developed collaboratively by OHID (DHSC), UKHSA, NHS England, local authority and ICB representatives, Pathway and other VCSEs.
    • This webinar would be most useful for all those working to tackle health inequalities, especially among groups experiencing multiple disadvantage including:
      • Local authority teams
      • NHS commissioners and providers
      • Policy and strategy leads
      • Mayoral combined authorities
      • Voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations
      • Wider system partners also welcome
    • Please register for the event here

Prevention and Inequalities National Updates

A message from Dr Dianne Addei, Director - National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme, NHS England
Earlier this month, the NHS marked its 78th birthday – an opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary contributions of staff, volunteers and communities who have shaped our health service over almost eight decades. It is also a reminder of the NHS's enduring commitment to providing high-quality care for all and the founding principle of meeting people's needs, regardless of their background or circumstances.

As we celebrate the achievements of the NHS, we must also maintain our focus on reducing inequalities in access, experience and outcomes. I was pleased to see this commitment brought to life during a recent visit to Middlesbrough for an event exploring how we can improve health and healthcare inequalities across the population served by University Hospitals Tees.     

Alongside thought-provoking discussions with partners and colleagues, I had the opportunity to learn more about several initiatives making a difference for underserved communities. These included an Acute Tobacco Dependence Treatment Service and the Waiting Well 'Prehabilitation' Programme, which supports people from Core20PLUS communities while they await surgery. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how targeted, person-centred approaches can address the wider determinants of health, improve outcomes and help create fairer opportunities for the communities we serve.

The examples featured throughout this bulletin demonstrate the commitment, innovation and partnership working taking place across the country to address these challenges and improve outcomes for underserved communities. Many of these reflect the spirit of NHS England's Best of the NHS initiative, which showcases outstanding work from across the health and care system and helps spread learning about approaches making a real difference for patients and communities.

July also marks South Asian Heritage Month, providing an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the immense contribution South Asian colleagues, communities and leaders continue to make to the NHS and wider society. It is also a chance to reflect on the importance of understanding and addressing the different experiences and health outcomes faced by diverse communities, ensuring our services are inclusive, equitable and responsive to the needs of the populations we serve.

With best wishes, 
Dianne  

Latest updates

Tackling inequalities in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment
The government last month announced a £20 million investment to expand prostate cancer research and improve access to treatment, with a particular focus on reducing health inequalities.
As part of the expansion of the TRANSFORM trial, all eligible Black men will be invited to participate, helping to address the disproportionately higher risk of prostate cancer in this group and build the evidence for future screening approaches.
The announcement also included broader access to less invasive treatments and the introduction of England’s first targeted prostate cancer screening programme for higher-risk individuals. 

GIRFT national report offers practical steps for improving care and support for children and young adults living with diabetes
Read Diabetes: Children and Young Adults (CYA), a new national report which sets out practical steps to help ensure every child and young adult living with diabetes in England receives high-quality care and support, regardless of where they live. 

The report from the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme brings together the findings from a far-reaching national review of all 42 Integrated Care Boards; a joint initiative between GIRFT and the NHS Diabetes Programme.

GIRFT clinical advisor, Dr Dita Aswani - a consultant paediatrician at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust - authored the report. 

It offers the most comprehensive national picture to date of how diabetes services for CYA aged 0-25 are organised, how care and outcomes vary, and what systems can do to adopt best practice and deliver equitable, modern care.

Group consultations helping people with diabetes thrive in Croydon
Brigstock Medical Practice in Croydon is demonstrating how group consultations can improve outcomes for people living with Type 2 diabetes. By bringing patients together in a supportive environment, the model combines clinical review, peer support and self-management education, helping people better understand and manage their condition.

The approach enables the practice to create opportunities for patients to learn from the experiences of others.

Alongside wider work to address mental health and the wider determinants of health, the initiative highlights how community-focused, preventative approaches can support better outcomes for Core20PLUS populations and help reduce health inequalities.

Obesity inequalities widening across England, new study finds
New research from the University of Cambridge, analysing NHS England data from almost 55 million adults, found that nearly one in three adults in England is now living with obesity, with inequalities widening since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rates were significantly higher among people living in the most deprived communities, with stark differences also seen by ethnicity, gender and geography. The findings highlight the need for continued action to address the unequal burden of obesity across different communities.

This aligns closely with our Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme’s focus on prevention, reducing unwarranted variation and supporting those populations experiencing the poorest health outcomes. As the study noted, obesity can contribute to "intergenerational cycles of health inequality", highlighting the need for targeted action.

Reducing inequalities in acute care for people with a learning disability
The National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death has published Learning Together, a review of the care provided to adults with a learning disability when admitted to hospital acutely unwell.

The report found variation in how patients with a learning disability are identified, supported and involved in decisions about their care, with opportunities to improve the use of reasonable adjustments, communication and access to specialist support.

The findings highlight the importance of recognising and responding to the specific needs of people with a learning disability to reduce avoidable inequalities in care experience and outcomes and support more personalised, equitable care.

Using geographical insights to tackle digital exclusion
The Digital Exclusion Risk Atlas (DERA), launched in April, is helping health and care systems better understand where digital exclusion may be creating barriers to accessing services. By combining geographical data and population insights, the tool enables organisations to identify communities at greater risk and take more targeted action to improve access and reduce inequalities.

Interest in DERA continues to grow, with the tool recently featured as part of the Royal Geographical Society’s Geography in Practice webinar series. This has provided an opportunity to share learning, showcase practical applications and highlight how geographical intelligence can support better health outcomes for local populations.

Migrant Health Programme Update
NHS England's Migrant Health Programme has continued to support systems to reduce health inequalities and improve access to care for people seeking asylum, refugees and other newly arrived migrants.

Recent work includes the development of a national Commissioning Guidance for Migrant Health, currently being shared with Integrated Care Boards and partners for comment, alongside the co-design of the Health Assessment Protocol (2026) for newly arrived people seeking asylum and refugees with no or partial pre-entry health check.

A range of practical resources are available through the Migrant Health Catalogue on the NHS Learning Hub. For further information, please contact england.migranthealth@nhs.net. 

News from our partners
Independent review of the prison system: call for evidence
The Independent Review of the Prison System in England and Wales is seeking evidence to inform a long-term view of the future of prisons over the next five to 15 years.

The review will consider how to strengthen the sustainability, security, safety and resilience of the prison system, drawing on evidence, best practice, lived experience, innovation and new ways of working.

Views are welcomed from anyone with an interest in this area, including those with professional, operational, academic or lived experience.

The call for evidence is open until 11:59 pm on Monday 31 August 2026.

Respondents are encouraged to submit evidence as soon as convenient via this online portal.

Unity in diversity – how health services can work better for everyone
Read Dr Tehseen Khan’s blog on how health services can work better for everyone as we mark South Asian Heritage Month. 

Over the month, we have had the chance to reflect on what connects us across different histories, cultures and faiths. Dr Khan, a GP in Hackney, London, talks about the power of trust, building relationships, and sharing purpose in community health.

Race and Health Matters: New podcast explores inequalities across health and care
The NHS Race and Health Observatory has launched Race and Health Matters, a new podcast series exploring racial inequalities across health and care.

Hosted by Dr Guddi Singh, the podcast brings together lived experience, research and expert insight to translate complex issues into practical actions for change. Featuring voices from across the health and care sector, the podcast aims to support leaders, allies and staff to build a fairer and more inclusive healthcare system. 

Digital innovation helping to narrow health inequalities
A pioneering outpatient radiology initiative at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is demonstrating how digital innovation can help tackle health inequalities.

By introducing inclusive self-scheduling through the NHS App, alongside multilingual support and flexible booking options, patients gained greater control over when and where they access care.

The initiative highlights how giving patients greater choice and flexibility can improve engagement and reduce barriers to accessing services. Significant reductions in missed appointments were reported, with strong uptake across all age groups, including older patients.

The findings demonstrate how digital tools, when designed with inclusion in mind, can help reduce barriers to care and support more equitable access to services for diverse communities. 

Neighbourhood health in action: lessons from reducing frequent A&E attendance
A new British Red Cross report explores how High Intensity Use (HIU) services are improving outcomes for people who frequently attend A&E while reducing avoidable demand on urgent and emergency care.

Drawing on learning from services in East Riding and Brighton and Hove, the report highlights five key lessons for neighbourhood health: delivering person-centred care, building strong cross-sector partnerships, investing in trusted relationships, recognising the value of the non-clinical workforce, and using funding and commissioning to support joined-up care.

The findings reinforce the importance of addressing the wider determinants of health through integrated, community-based approaches.

Events and webinars

Thalassaemia: A guide for schools and educators
Tuesday 22 September - 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm | Online 
We have developed and published new, national e-learning resources for education professionals to better support children and young people with thalassaemia. Hosted on the NHS Learning Hub, these resources have been designed as practical guides to help schools and teachers understand the condition and provide appropriate support for students.
Please share this information with teachers and other education professionals in your networks and encourage them to register for this webinar, exploring the resources and providing an opportunity to ask questions.

Sickle Cell: A guide for schools and educators
Tuesday 29 September - 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm 
We have also published similar e-learning resources designed to help teachers and schools better understand sickle cell and support pupils living with it. The new suite of resources include animations and template care plans. 
Teachers and other education professionals can register for this webinar to find out more and ask questions. 

Have you heard?
The latest Spread the Health podcast from the Royal Society for Public Health in which Professor Bola Owolabi, Chief Inspector at the Care Quality Commission, explores the economic and moral case for tackling health inequalities, discussing why healthy choices are often shaped by privilege and what action is needed to improve health outcomes in the years ahead. 

A message from Dr Dianne Addei, Director - National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme, NHS England
Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Brigstock Medical Practice in Croydon to see first-hand how its innovative group consultation model is improving outcomes for people living with Type 2 diabetes in a diverse and deprived community.

During the visit, I observed a live group consultation, hearing directly from patients about their experiences of peer support, shared learning and self-management, and spoke with clinicians and facilitators about how the model is delivered in practice.

I saw first-hand how this approach is improving engagement, reducing inequalities, and supporting earlier intervention and prevention.     

It is a powerful example of how combining clinical care with peer support and social prescribing can deliver more personalised, efficient and community-centred care - directly supporting the aims of our Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme to improve access, experience and outcomes for underserved populations.

This visit felt particularly timely following NHS ConfedExpo, where I had the opportunity to reflect with colleagues across the system on the progress we are making to tackle healthcare inequalities. What stood out to me this year was how firmly the inequalities improvement agenda is now embedded across the entire two-day programme - not as a standalone issue, but as a core thread running through discussions on prevention, workforce, digital transformation and service design.

I was particularly proud of the contribution by our programme team, including the sessions we led on sickle cell and the Core20PLUS Ambassadors Programme. Our sickle cell session highlighted the stark inequalities faced by patients, particularly those in Black communities, alongside the action underway to reduce variation in care, improve patient experience and rebuild trust. The Core20PLUS Ambassadors session demonstrated the value of empowering frontline staff and communities to identify barriers, engage underserved groups, and translate national priorities into meaningful action at a local level. Together, these sessions reinforced the importance of co-production, targeted approaches, and patient voice in driving improvement.

It was also a privilege to chair a main stage session on strategic commissioning for equity, which explored how we can use commissioning levers to move beyond describing inequalities to actively reducing them. The discussion highlighted the importance of using data and insight to identify underserved communities, strengthening partnerships across public health and local government, and embedding equity into decision-making at every level.

Beyond this, I contributed to wider discussions across the NHS ConfedExpo programme, including sessions focused on using lived experience to drive system change and on hepatitis elimination - both of which underlined the importance of partnership working, community engagement and tackling the broader determinants of health. It was encouraging to see how consistently these themes are now being reflected across different areas of the system.

My key takeaway from this year’s NHS ConfedExpo is that we are building real momentum. However, there is more to do to ensure that tackling healthcare inequalities is consistently prioritised in every part of the system. By continuing to focus on prevention, community-centred approaches and the power of lived experience - as exemplified by what I saw at Brigstock - we can accelerate progress and deliver more equitable care for all.
With best wishes, 
Dianne  

Latest updates

NHS Excellence Awards 2026 winners announced
The winners of the inaugural NHS Excellence Awards were announced at an awards ceremony at NHS ConfedExpo on Wednesday 10 June.
Delivered by NHS England, the awards celebrate the people and teams driving improvement, innovation and collaboration across health and care, with their achievements showcasing outstanding practice and inspiring learning across the NHS. 

Congratulations to all the winners - and a particular shout-out to the East Midlands Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Provider Collaborative winning the Improving Health Outcomes Award. The collaborative brings together NHS and charity partners to deliver community and inpatient services that support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people across the region. 

In photo: Dr Dianne Addei and panellists at NHS ConfedExpo 2026
At this year's NHS ConfedExpo, Dr Dianne Addei participated in a panel discussion, exploring how system-wide strategic commissioning can be used to reduce health inequalities, improve outcomes and strengthen partnerships across the NHS, public health and local communities, sharing practical insights on using commissioning as a lever for meaningful system change. 
NHS ConfedExpo is the UK's leading health and care conference, dedicated to driving innovation and improving care for patients and the public.

NHSConfedExpo.jpg

L-R: Cathy Elliott, Director, NW Integrated Care Board Strategic Commissioning and Function Development, NHS North West region; Dr Andy Snell, Consultant in Public Health and Emergency Medicine Doctor, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council; Professor Dr Durka Dougall, Chief Executive, Centre for Population Health; and Dr Dianne Addei, Director, National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme, NHS England. 

Smarter insights, better access: what’s new in the DERA tool
The Digital Exclusion Risk Atlas (DERA), launched in April, is an NHS analytical tool designed to help systems, regions and local teams identify where digital exclusion may affect access to care. By combining a range of indicators into a single risk index, it supports partners to target resources and design more inclusive digital services.

Recent updates include re-alignment to 2026 ICB geographies, enabling users to view data for current system footprints. NHS App data has also been updated to April 2026, with a revised methodology now showing the percentage of the population logging in over the past 12 months.

Empowering healthcare professionals to support sickle cell carriers through informed conversations
Read Dr Rossby Awadzi’s new blog about the Sickle Cell Disease Clinical Pathway Initiative (CPI) which provides healthcare professionals a practical framework to support people identified as carriers of sickle cell trait with accurate information, sensitive counselling and appropriate signposting at key life stages.    
 
Dr Awadzi is encouraging healthcare professionals to explore the CPI and consider how it can support informed conversations on pre-conception care, antenatal screening, newborn screening follow-up and wider reproductive decision-making in their own practice.

A milestone for sickle cell care: advancing nutrition and awareness
We are celebrating a major milestone for sickle cell care with the inclusion of the first dedicated chapter on sickle cell nutrition in the Manual of Dietetic Practice — the UK’s leading reference guide for dietitians.

This important development recognises sickle cell nutrition as an emerging area of specialist practice and will help support more consistent, equitable and evidence-based care for people living with sickle cell.

You can access the free chapter here.

Please share with colleagues to help raise awareness, strengthen professional knowledge and improve outcomes for people affected by sickle cell.

Honouring the Windrush generation’s legacy in healthcare
Windrush Day was observed on Monday 22 June - an important moment to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary contribution of the Windrush generation to the NHS and healthcare across the UK.

Many of those who arrived from the Caribbean helped build and sustain our health service, working with dedication, compassion and resilience in roles across hospitals, community services and beyond. Their legacy continues to shape the NHS we know today, and reminds us of the importance of recognising the diverse communities and colleagues who have strengthened our health and care system.

As we continue our work to reduce healthcare inequalities, we must also honour this history by listening to communities, learning from lived experience and ensuring fairer access, experience and outcomes for all.

Making health information easier to understand
Clear health information helps people use services safely and confidently. To support teams to write more clearly, we’ve funded the development of the NHS Document Readability Tool.

This matters because 43% of working-age adults in England do not have the reading skills needed to fully understand common health information, including medication instructions, screening invitations, vaccination messages and advice about when to seek care. Yet most health information is written at a reading age of 18 and over, excluding many people.

News from our partners

Apply for the 2027 HSJ Partnership Awards 
Applications are now open for the 2027 HSJ Partnership Awards, recognising successful collaborations between the NHS and industry that have improved services, technologies and patient care. 

One of the categories will award the ‘Most Impactful Project Addressing Health Inequalities’. 
The deadline to apply is Friday 11 September 2026. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday 18 March 2027 in London.

These awards are judged by senior NHS figures, including many NHS trust chief executives. 

‘Swap2Stop’ service helping patients quit smoking and improve surgical outcomes
Earlier this year, Dr Dianne Addei visited Worthing Hospital to see first-hand how the innovative Swap2Stop programme is helping patients in Sussex quit cigarette smoking to improve their outcomes after surgery, while tackling wider healthcare inequalities. 
Read this University Hospitals Sussex article to find out more. 

Events and webinars
Co-production Week 2026: Care Equity
Monday 29 June – Friday 3 July 2026 | Online

Register to join Co-production Week 2026, a week-long programme celebrating the power of working in equal partnership to improve health and care.

This year's theme, Care Equity, explores how we can ensure everyone has fair access to high-quality care. The programme features inspiring webinars, real-world examples, shared learning and practical ideas to support more inclusive and equitable services.
Register now to secure your place.

Inclusion health and multiple disadvantage: driving action in a new system landscape 
Monday 6 July 2026 - 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm | Online

Register to join this learning event organised by NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care and the UK Health Security Agency to support individuals across the health and social care system to drive action on inclusion health and multiple disadvantage.

The session will showcase local best practice and introduce new resources co-developed by national organisations, integrated care boards, local authorities and partners from the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.

Have you seen?

This Instagram video featuring Pearl, a 12-year-old living with sickle cell disease, who shares how hydroxycarbamide helps her manage painful crises and why blood donations can make a real difference for people with the condition.

A message from Dr Dianne Addei, Director - National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme, NHS England

Over the last week, many have been celebrating Eid - a time of reflection, compassion and community. As we come together during this period, that spirit continuous to resonate strongly with our collective work to tackle healthcare inequalities through practical action, partnership and learning. I've been encouraged by the continued momentum, including  growing interest in how we use data, lived experience and clinical leadership to drive improvement on the frontline.

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak at the HSJ Reducing Health Inequalities Forum and The King's Fund event on tackling health inequalities through people, places and possibilities. These sessions reinforced the shared appetite across the system to move beyond strategy and into delivery, and the importance of supporting local teams to address inequalities in ways that are grounded in their communities.     

Some of you may have also joined our recent webinar on understanding and using the Sickle Cell Clinical Pathway Initiative (CPI), which highlighted how clear, consistent and  evidence based pathways can improve access, experience and outcomes for people living with sickle cell disorder. 

I’m now looking ahead to chairing several healthcare inequalities sessions at NHS ConfedExpo in June. On 11 June, the Healthcare Inequalities Theatre will spotlight how clinicians are leading change through the Core20 Ambassadors Programme, and how targeted investment in sickle cell services is supporting more equitable care. I hope many of you will be able to join us.

With best wishes, 
Dianne  

Latest updates

Driving digital inclusion across health and care
Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) 2026 highlights the importance of inclusive digital experiences for everyone. This year, NHS England’s Digital Exclusion Risk Atlas - launched on 15 April 2026 to support the 10 Year Health Plan’s shift from analogue to digital - further strengthens that ambition.

The atlas uses national and local data, including digital access and capability, affordability and economic pressures, and skills, to map where people are most at risk of digital exclusion. It also considers factors such as disability and long-term illness, recognising how these can affect people’s confidence, trust, and ability to use digital services independently.

These insights help organisations target support and design more inclusive services - ensuring digital transformation improves access, reduces inequalities, and delivers truly inclusive healthcare for all.

Making health information easier to understand
Clear health information helps people use services safely and confidently. To support teams to write more clearly, we’ve funded the development of the NHS Document Readability Tool.

The tool is now being refreshed and we’re inviting your feedback as we seek to improve it. Please try it and complete this short survey by Tuesday 16 June.

This matters because 43% of working-age adults in England do not have the reading skills needed to fully understand common health information, including medication instructions, screening invitations, vaccination messages and advice about when to seek care. Yet most health information is written at a reading age of 18 and over, excluding many people.

Genomics innovation helping reduce ethnic inequalities in cancer care
An NHS Genomics Hub has begun testing for a genetic variant linked to severe chemotherapy reactions that is more common in people of African ancestry.

Previous testing focused mainly on variants found in European populations, increasing risks for some ethnic minority patients. Identifying this variant allows clinicians to tailor treatment safely and effectively, marking a significant step towards more inclusive genomic testing and fairer access to personalised cancer care across the NHS.

Are you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week takes place between 25-31 May 2026. Check your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by using the Diabetes UK Know Your Risk tool.

You can reduce your risk by eating a healthy, balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and keeping physically active.

People living with diabetes face a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, foot problems, vision loss and kidney problems. Some groups are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, including people of South Asian or Black ethnicity, people who are overweight or living with obesity, people with a family history of type 2 diabetes and women with a history of gestational diabetes.

Reducing inequalities in kidney care through digital innovation
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust has received almost £100,000 in funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to study whether a renal care app can improve equity in kidney services.

The six month study will explore how patients from different backgrounds use the MyRenalCare app and whether digital care reduces or risks widening health inequalities.

Chronic kidney disease disproportionately affects older people, ethnic minority communities and those living in deprivation. By examining patient and staff experiences, the study aims to understand who benefits most, identify barriers to access and shape more inclusive digital kidney care across the NHS.

You can read the full announcement here.

Beyond clinical complexity: managing complex risk within a respiratory virtual ward
As community and virtual ward services expand across the NHS, teams are increasingly caring for patients with complex clinical and psychosocial needs including substance use, safeguarding concerns, unstable home environments and barriers to engagement. However, practical guidance for managing complex risk in community settings remains limited.

In response, the Newham University Hospital Respiratory Virtual Ward developed a structured framework and standard operating procedure to support safer decision making, staff safety, safeguarding and consistent care. While developed for a respiratory virtual ward, the principles are transferable across community and integrated care services. 

Further information, including the framework is available from NHS England on request, or by contacting i.mariaki@nhs.net

News from our partners

Tackling racism and discrimination in maternity and neonatal care
The NHS Race and Health Observatory is supporting delivery of a new national Perinatal Equity and Anti Discrimination Programme to tackle ethnic inequalities in maternity and neonatal care.

Working with NHS England, the programme will support local perinatal teams to understand how racism and discrimination affect care and to take meaningful action. This responds to persistent disparities, including higher maternal risk for Black women, and aims to improve safety, experience and outcomes for mothers, babies and families.

World Sickle Cell Day – 19 June
World Sickle Cell Day (19 June) is a global opportunity to raise awareness of sickle cell disorder and amplify the voices of those affected. This year’s theme, Young Voices Rising, highlights the importance of empowering people to speak up about their experiences and shape the care they receive. The Sickle Cell Society has developed a range of resources to support conversations, education and engagement – download and get involved here.

At the heart of our healthcare inequalities work is listening to lived experience and improving outcomes. Join us in sharing voices, starting conversations and driving change.

Martha’s Rule in Action: An independent evaluation exploring early implementation and the experiences of patient, families and healthcare staff
A new independent evaluation from the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Quality, Safety and Outcomes of Health and Social Care examines the early implementation of Martha’s Rule across three NHS acute hospitals. 

Using a case-study approach, the evaluation explores what has supported or hindered implementation, alongside the experiences of patients, families and healthcare staff, and considers equity of access.

The interim report shares early insights on what is working, where challenges remain, and key learning to inform future rollout and patient safety policy. The report is now available here. For questions or feedback, please contact: marthasrule.study@bthft.nhs.uk

Inequalities in access to elective care for asylum seekers
A new British Red Cross report highlights significant inequalities in access to elective care for people seeking asylum in England. It says long waiting times and poor communication from health providers often worsen mental health, particularly when people lack clear information about their care.

The report calls for clearer communication, better transport support and improved continuity of care. 

Events and webinars

AI Ambassador Network meeting: Closing the disability gap with AI to shape NHS Trust policy
Wednesday 3 June 2026 - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm | Online

The meeting will explore how AI can help close the disability gap by supporting greater accessibility in work and everyday life, focussing on real-life examples of inclusive implementation of related technologies.
The AI Ambassador Network is led by NHS England and DHSC's Joint Policy Unit and anybody with an interest in AI is welcome to join the session. 

Register here. 

NHS ConfedExpo 2026 agenda now live: book your pass today!
Join over 6,000 leaders, professionals and partners at NHS ConfedExpo, the UK’s leading health and care conference, on 10 and 11 June 2026 at Manchester Central.

Take a look at the agenda, and choose from over 180 sessions including thought-provoking keynotes, panel discussions and breakout sessions. This is a unique opportunity to hear from exceptional speakers and learn from a diverse range of organisations about the innovative work they are doing to deliver improvements across health and care.

On 11 June, visit the Healthcare Inequalities Theatre for two NHS England led sessions. At 11:00 am, hear how frontline clinicians are driving inequalities improvement through the Core20 Ambassadors Programme. At 1:00 pm, explore how investment in sickle cell services is improving access, experience, and outcomes.

Book your pass today. NHS, local authority and wider public sector staff are eligible for a free ticket. 

Preventing and responding to measles outbreaks in the community
Wednesday 17 June 2026 - 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Online
 
Join us for the second national webinar in the series of three which aims to bring together colleagues from the NHS, the UK Health Security Agency, local authorities, voluntary sector and community organisations to explore the latest evidence on tackling health inequalities in vaccinations and reducing the burden of vaccine-preventable disease.

This webinar will share practical insights from responding to measles outbreaks in the community and highlight effective approaches to increasing uptake in underserved communities, including approaches to building trust and improving access.

Have you seen?

This Guardian article about the NHS rollout of artificial pancreas technology helping to reduce inequalities in diabetes care. 

Other

Access high-quality, evidence-based clinical information quickly with BMJ Best Practice.

NHS staff can log in instantly using their NHS email, or access it online with an NHS OpenAthens account.

The free app, available on Apple and Android, offers offline access to trusted guidance, and practical support including short videos and podcasts. 

To get the most from BMJ Best Practice, book a 30-minute training session.

Further to the recent announcement that people experiencing homelessness (as defined in the Green Book) 16 years and above will be included in the national flu programme from 1 October 2026, the following service specifications have been updated to include this new cohort:

Let's talk about vaccines week - 14-18 September 2026

LTAV.png

Make every conversation count. Build skills that make a real difference - without adding to your workload.

Every day, you have conversations with people in Hampshire communities. This free training gives you the skills and confidence to use those everyday moments to support people to make positive changes to their health and wellbeing - in a way that feels 
natural, respectful, and straightforward.

What is the Behaviour Change Training Programme?
The programme equips frontline workers and volunteers with practical, evidence-based skills for supporting residents to improve their health and wellbeing through the conversations they are already having.

It builds on the Making Every Contact Count (MECC) training that many of you will have already completed, taking your skills further with techniques for brief and extended brief interventions. The training is aligned with NHS England and NHS Improvement’s Behaviour Change Development Framework and is funded by Hampshire County Council, so it is completely free for all participants.

How does it work?
The programme is delivered in two parts:

Part 1: Core training session
A three-hour online training session that gives you the skills, knowledge and confidence to support people through behaviour change conversations. You will learn how to get better outcomes from your existing interactions - without it feeling harder or more time-consuming.

Part 2: Embedding practice sessions
One-hour sessions held every month, each focusing on a specific theme or area of behaviour change. These are relaxed, supportive spaces to reflect on real conversations from your work, practise your skills, and share experiences with colleagues. You can attend as many as you like - there is no limit.

What will you get from the training?
After completing the core training, you will be better equipped to:

  • Know what to say - and what not to say - when health comes up in conversation
  • Feel more confident and less drained in difficult conversations
  • Respond calmly when someone is resistant or not ready to change
  • Support people without creating dependency or adding to your own workload
  • Build stronger, more effective relationships with the people you work with
  • Understand the key behaviour risk factors for poor health in Hampshire
  • Know about local services and support you can signpost people to

Who is it for?
This training is open to anyone who has regular contact with members of the public, including staff and volunteers working in:

  • Health and social care
  • Housing
  • Primary and secondary care
  • Mental health services
  • The voluntary and community sector
  • Local authority services

Whether your conversations are short or long, one-off or ongoing - you will find plenty in this training that applies directly to your role.

Why does it matter?
Health inequalities across Hampshire are real and persistent. Supporting people to make healthier choices is not just the job of clinical teams - it is something everyone who works with the public can play a part in.

When frontline staff and volunteers have the right skills and confidence, everyday interactions become opportunities for early intervention. Early, effective conversations reduce the long-term impact of key risk factors and help ensure that everyone in 
Hampshire can access the right support, whatever service they use or wherever they live.

Frequently asked questions
I’ve already done MECC training. Should I still do this?
Definitely. This training builds directly on what you covered in MECC and takes it further - going deeper into behaviour change techniques and strategies you can use to support people in making positive changes. Even experienced practitioners tell us they leave with fresh insights and practical tools.

Will it be relevant to my role?
Yes. The tools and techniques covered are designed to work in any role where you work with people in the community. Whether your conversations are brief or extended, one-off or repeated - you will find plenty that applies.

What will the training be like?
Interactive, engaging and supportive. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and relate the learning back to your own work. You will leave with skills you can use straight away.

Will I have to speak in front of everyone?
Participation is encouraged, but always voluntary. You can contribute in whatever way feels right for you.

What materials will I receive?
After the training, you will receive a copy of the slides and a reference sheet summarising all the key tools and techniques - so you have something practical to refer back to.

How do I know which embedding practice session to attend?
Each session has a themed topic, so you can choose the ones most relevant to you. You are welcome to attend as many as you wish - there is no obligation and no limit.

What if I have accessibility needs?
Please let us know in advance and we will be happy to make appropriate adjustments to support your access and comfort.

How much does it cost?
The training is fully funded by Hampshire County Council and is completely free for all participants.

Who delivers the training?
The training is delivered by SMGLearning, a specialist behaviour change training company with over ten years’ experience delivering MECC and behaviour change programmes to thousands of frontline staff across the UK.

Can I arrange a session specifically for my team?
Yes. If you have sufficient numbers, it may be possible to arrange a bespoke session at a time and place that suits you. Please get in touch to discuss this at info@smglearning.com

Ready to get started?
Booking is simple and takes just a few minutes.
Book your place on the core training and embedding practice sessions here.

For questions or to arrange a bespoke session for your team, contact: 
info@smglearning.com

To help shape an engaging and diverse agenda for the second Improving Together conference – taking place on Wednesday 16th September 2026 at the Kings Community Church, Hedge End SO30 4BZ as part of National Quality Improvement (QI) week, we are inviting colleagues from across the Hampshire and Isle of Wight health and care system to share their improvement work. 

If you are interested in presenting; whether through a poster, presentation, or workshop, please complete this form. We also welcome ideas around how to make the best use of the ‘Interactive Learning Zone’, offers of help to support the event, man stands, and suggestions around topics / areas you would like to know more about. 

The closing date for submissions is 16th June 2026, after this date, the organising team will review all applications and contact you to confirm whether you have been selected, and to provide your allocated time slot. Poster and stand contributors will be contacted separately to discuss display arrangements.

To find out more about Quality Improvement Week (14th – 18th September), or to get involved, please visit The Academy of Research and Improvement.

If you missed last year’s event, the posters can be found here. Presentations and recording of the live stream to the main auditorium are on the Improving Together platform here.

A new interactive resource which has been a collaborative project between DHSC OHID, UKHSA, NHSE with representatives from local government, ICB and VCSE to support work on inclusion health at a local level. Its purpose is to support informed decision-making and develop tailored solutions to the specific challenges these groups encounter, especially in the context of implementing the 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future, and advancing the integrated neighbourhood health offer.
 
It contains a summary of statistics already in the public domain and brings these together into one place with accompanying narrative to highlight the importance of addressing the needs of inclusion health groups across different organisations, sectors, and programmes of work. The populations included are: 

  • People experiencing homelessness  
  • Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities  
  • Sex workers  
  • Migrants in vulnerable circumstances  
  • People subject to modern slavery  
  • People in contact with the justice system   
  • People experiencing drug and/or alcohol dependence  

Access the dashboard here.

The Active Practice Charter is an initiative by The Royal College of GPs and Sport England to inspire and celebrate the GP practices that champion the role of physical activity in improving everybody’s health and wellbeing. Become an RCGP Active Practice.
 
Become an Active Practice by making some simple but impactful changes that demonstrate to your patients and staff that movement is medicine, and we can all feel better by moving more. See here the practices that have already achieved their chartership RCGP Active Practice Charter map.
 
The Active Practice Charter is free to join; all you need to do is demonstrate you have taken steps in the practice to:
Reduce sedentary behaviour in staff and patients
Increase physical activity in staff and patients
Partner with a local physical activity provider
 
The initiative can be led by anyone in the practice, and aimee.cadman@energiseme.org from your local active partnership, offers tailored support for practices to achieve the accreditation – get in touch to discuss further.

The NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Improving Together platform offers everyone across Hampshire and Isle of Wight a repository of resources and tools that support continuous learning and improvement, including local and national training and development opportunities, links to join learning and improvement networks, and newsletters and bulletins you can subscribe to. 

There is also an internal page on Stay Connected for ICB staff to access which is regularly updated with new training opportunities and improvement resources.

The Making Every Contact Count (MECC) train-the-trainer (TtT) course consists of two half days, and one full day of training. This will prepare you to deliver MECC training within your organisation, and beyond. The training is face-to-face and is not available online. Complete the application form and email to england.mecc.wx@nhs.net

You might also be interested in...

user.svg

Get involved
target.svg

Your health
contact.svg

Contact us