Population Health Academy Newsletter

July 2025

March 2025

December 2024

Prevention and Inequalities Regional Updates

Publications and guidance:

  • A new joint reference document for NHS commissioners on equalities and health inequalities legal duties has been published, and replaces the old guidance from 2015. This guidance is intended to support ICBs and providers on the legal duties, what they mean, and how they intersect.
  • Independent report into patient safety across the health and care landscape has been published. The report reviews 6 specific organisations that were established to either assure or contribute to improving the safety of care, while also making reference to the wider landscape of organisations influencing quality of care. The review was asked to consider whether there are overlaps and gaps in functions across organisations, and make recommendations as to the future roles of the 6 organisations.
  • The NHS England annual accountability statement for NHS public health functions (S7a) - 2023 to 2024 has been released. This accountability statement assesses the NHS England's performance against the Section 7a agreement.
  • Department of Education have published the policy paper 'Giving every child the best start in life'. There are several areas of relevance but notably a section on "Healthier Children; strengthening health services in early childhood" which outlines plans to provide better maternity and newborn care, to strengthen health visiting services, to make it easier to get vaccinated, to support healthy eating, to tackle tooth decay and to book appointments.
  • Health and Social Care Committee call for evidence - Healthy Ageing: physical activity in an ageing society. The Health and Social Care Select Committee has launched a new inquiry into the role of physical activity in improving the health and wellbeing of older people. This inquiry will explore how physical activity can minimise and delay ill health as people begin to age, and how it can be used throughout older age to reduce the impacts of ill health and prevent the development of multiple long-term health conditions and frailty. Read and submit evidence here.
  • NHSE's position statement on how physical activity can be harnessed within the NHS to improve healthy outcomes: Harnessing the benefits of physical activity. This publication outlines 'Four ways forward' on how this can be achieved.

Prevention:

  • SE NHS Health Check activity data – Q4: A short summary report produced by LKIS SE & longer nationally produced regional report can be found here.  These show that in quarter 4 of 2024-2025, 146,061 NHS Health Check offers were made in the South East. This is an increase of 18.3% compared to 123,429 checks offered in Q4 of 2023-24 (compared to 12.2% increase for England).  For this period, 57,722 checks were delivered.  This is an increase of 2.4% compared to 56,375 checks received in Q4 of 2023-24, the same percentage increase as for England.
  • Alcohol Care Team Innovation and Optimisation Network (ACTION) have posted several useful resources on the Knowledge Hub platform relating to Alcohol Care Teams. Those interested in accessing can sign up for access by emailing ACTION@rcpsych.ac.uk. These include webinar recording and slides from:
    • Dr Ceryl Harwood's presentation on building a successful business case for ACTs.
    • "Dying for a Drink", an evaluation of the Royal Derby Hospital ACT, presented at the RCPsych Faculty of Addictions 2025 conference
    • Return on Investment report outlining the economic case for ACTs from the North East and North Cumbria Alcohol Steering Group. 
  • Statistics have been published on Local Stop Smoking Services in England - April 2024 to March 2025. For South East region there were 56,201 referrals made to Stop Smoking Services in 2024/25 and 38,314 (68%) of these referrals led to a quit attempt. This compares with 30,590 quit attempts in 2023/24 which is an increase of 25%. Of these quit attempts, 21,036 were successful (based on self-reported outcomes) which is a success rate of 55%.
  • New Tobacco Dependence compartment now live in the Prevention area of the Model Health System platform. The data can be accessed here or by using the browse menu. Alcohol Dependence data was also released on MHS earlier this summer.
    • The data is sourced from the NHS Tobacco Dependence Services in England and is categorised into acute inpatient, mental health inpatient and maternity sections. This can be viewed in a table format which summarises an individual organisations’ figures against peer and national benchmarks.
    • You can see the progression of patients through the Tobacco Dependence Treatment pathway, highlighting where patients disengage.  It also shows the outcomes of the service, notably the numbers and percentages of those who quit.
    • This compartment complements the Tobacco Dependence Dashboard on FutureNHS.
  • Department for Transport have published a Connectivity Tool. The tool combines transport and existing land-use data to measure people’s ability to get to where they want to go (such as jobs and essential services), across England and Wales.

Health inequalities:

 

Training, learning opportunities and events:

  • The next UK Electronic Cigarette Research Forum (UKECRF) on the theme of ‘Knowns and Unknowns of Vaping’ will be on Friday 26th September at 10:30 to 14:30. Register your interest here.
  • AI in the NHS 2025. This hybrid event will hear international perspectives on the challenges of effectively implementing AI in health care, and consider what the UK can learn from these experiences. Tuesday 14 October 2025 @ 14:00 - 17:15. Register here.
  • Update on delivery of the Public Health Practitioner Programme 2026. In the South East (Thames Valley, Wessex and KSS) are commissioning a new provider for the delivery of the Public Health Practitioner Development Scheme. In light of this, the scheme will not be open for applications in September. The Southeast Team are reviewing the timetable for the delivery of the schemes and will work with our new provider to plan the new programme. Updates will be shared with Workforce Development Leads and will be posted here.
  • OPEN FOR ENTRIES: The 2025 Excellence in Health Creation Awards. From local government to housing providers to grassroots innovators and cross-sector partnerships, these national awards from the Health Creation Alliance, spotlight those who are shifting power and driving real health creating change. Winners will be celebrated at The Health Creation Alliance Partnership Summit being held in central Manchester on Tuesday 21 October 2025. It’s free to enter and the entry pack includes everything you need. Download the entry pack here.
  • Tackling health inequalities in rural communities - virtual showcase. Led by the Holsworthy Farmers Health Hub and organised by NHS England South West, this cross-sector initiative addresses long-term conditions - including mental health - through place-based, community-driven care. Wednesday 17 September @ 9:30am - 11:30am. Register for the event here.

 

Other useful links:

Publications and guidance:

  • The NHS Oversight Framework 2025/26 has now been published and describes the approach to assessing ICBs. NHS trusts and foundation trusts. This 1-year framework sets out how NHS England will assess providers and ICBs, alongside a range of agreed metrics, promoting improvement while helping identify quickly where organisations may need support.
  • With the rollout of the weight loss drug, Tirzepatide, officially commencing on 23 June within the NHS, there is a new NHS campain to support regional and ICBs communications teams in managing local communications around access to Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) acoss primary care settings. The campaign resources include a communications toolkit, FAQs, briefing note, narrative and social media assets (to follow).
  • The World Health Organisation have published a toolkit of policy options for promoting walking and cycling, highlighting the multiple benefits that promoting and enabling safe walking and cycling for recreation and transport can bring to individuals, communities, the environment and the economy.
  • The Evaluation of the Better Care Fund Supprot Programme 2023 to 2025 is now available. This was a process evaluation with elements of impact evaluation at a local level, covering design and delivery, learning and potential for scaling, and outputs and outcomes.
  • The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice, marking a significant milestone in improving healthcare for people with a learning disability and autisic people. The Oliver McGowan mandatory training on learning disability and autism is the governments preferred and recommended training package to support CQC-registered health and social care providers meet legal requirements.

Prevention:

  • Statistics on women's smoking status at time of delivery (SATOD) for England Q4 24/25 have now been released and are the final publication using SATOD data set. From Q1 2025/26 the data will come from the Maternity Services Dataset so sub-ICBs (or other commissioning entities) will no longer need to submit data to SATOD.
  • A new report, 'Change in food purchasing behaviour and the impact on diet and nutrition: 2021 to 2023', provides information on trends in the purchasing of food and drink. It examines changes in purchasing behaviour and presents the impact on overall sales and changes in type of food purchased and its nutrient content.
  • The results of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) 2019 to 2023 are now available. The NDNS is designed to assess the diet, nutrient intake and nutritional status of the general population. The sample is designed to be nationally representative for use by UK governments to monitor progress around achieving diet and nutrition objectives, and to develop policy.
  • The King's Fund have published an insight and analysis peice on prevention. This examines what is meant by prevention, the types of prevention, who's usually involved in the doing and some of the barriers around why there's not more focus on it.
  • Sport England has published a new horizon scanning report, identifying the emerging trends and issues in society, the economy and technology that will impact the future of sport and physical activity. The report highlights the challenges and opportunities and also includes a template that can be downloaded to apply trends to help with strategic planning.

Health inequalities:

  • Public Health Scotland have collated a list of anchor institutions case studies, which colleagues may find helpful to read through.
  • The recording from NHSE's latest Health Inequalities Improvement Forum is available on the FutureNHS website. The meeting covered items on the NHS Race and Observatory (RHO) strategy and the Patient Safety Healthcare Inequalities Reduction Framework.
  • Institute for Fiscal Studies have published a report on the short and medium term effects of Sure Start on children's outcomes.
  • The NHS Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme has created a number of resources to support people in non-custodial community settings, under the supervision of the Probation Service and a key inclusion health group. The resources utilise the Core20PLUS5 framework for reducing healthcare inequalities, with the aim of preventing ill health. The resources produced include five animations and posters on heart health, lung conditions, cancer, mental health and stopping smoking. Teams can download and share these resources here.
  • NHS RHO have also shared a report and toolkit on communications and engagement with Jewish communities across England. The report offers several recommendation and the toolkit provides co-produced resources to support implementation.
  • The Good Things Foundation have shared learnings from a research and co-design project on belief and trust barriers to using digital health services
  • 'The Opposite of a Siege Mentality' report on collaborative action in Inclusion Health offers the learnings and opportunities for positive change that have arisen from the Inclusion Health Learning Programme.
  • The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has launched an 'Inequalities Challenge' funding opportunity for cardiovascular disease (CVD), aiming to invest £50 million into innovative new research in CVD to tackle preventable causes of heart disease.

Training, learning opportunities and events:

  • Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) Programme Development Toolkits are ready to use now and are available here. These toolkits have been designed to support Band 5 nurses and their employers in the journey to becoming a SCPHN qualified Health Visitor or School Nurse. The toolkits provide a framework to support Band 5 nurses in achieving full SCPHN registration and include a competency framework, career pathway, guidance on additional learning, and facilitate successful applications to the SCPHN programme.
  • Recruitment for the fourth cohort of NHS England's Core20PLUS5 Ambassadors Programme will open on 14 July 2025 (closing on the 12 September 2025). The Ambassadors programme is looking for people working in the NHS and across Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) or wider in local authorities, the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector or industires who; are commited to improving access, experience and outcomes; have strong links to Core20PLUS5 communities; work in underserved areas, including rural and coastal regions. Introductory webinars are being hosted for Cohort four: 8th July and 10th July. Interested individuals can apply by completing the expression of interest form (available from 14 July). Hear from current and previous ambassdors here. If you have any questions please email: england.core20plusambassador@nhs.net
  • SE regional Public Health group are hosting a webinar around the learnings from CVD Prevention Local Incentive Schemes in the region. The webinar will take place on Thursday 31 July at 10:00-11:30. If you would like an invitation, please contact: southeast.preventionandinequalities@nhs.net

Other useful links:

  • A narrative review on the medicalisation of public health is available on ScienceDirect. The review offers recommendations emphasising interdisciplinary strategies to address the upstream determinants of health.
  • Patient Information Forum have teamed up with Ipsos to launch a film exploring health misinformation and supporting individuals to help verify healthcare information.
  • Local Government Association have shared the framework for the High Impact Change Model approach, which uses data and intelligence to support whole system decision making.
  • The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) has published a return on investment guide, which gives practical advice on how finance staff can help to measure ROI, especially for health inequalities and preventative programmes. Alongside this guide, finance professionals can also access range of free e-learning modules aimed at tackling health inequalities.

Publications and guidance:

  • NHS England has published the Patient Safety Healthcare Inequalities Reduction Framework. This framework outlines five principles to reduce patient safety healthcare inequalities across the NHS, providing practical guidance for NHS teams to create inclusive, safe care environments through improved communication, staff training, better data collection, community involvement, and targeted research.
  • UKHSA colleagues have published a report that provides a high-level description of the current state of inequalities in health protection in England. The report focuses on 3 main dimensions of inequality: people living in different areas of deprivation; people from different ethnic groups and geographical inequalities. There are chapters on infectious diseases, environmental hazards, inclusion health groups and economic cost estimates, and the report acts as an example of how we can illustrate the distribution of inequality. 
  • NHS England have released an improvement framework centred on community language translation and interpreting services. It is designed to support the provision of consistent, high-quality community language translation and interpreting services by the NHS to people with limited English proficiency.

Prevention:

Health inequalities:

Training / learning opportunities / events:

  • South East Maternity and Neonatal webinar - Born in the right place. Monday 23 June at 9:30-12:00. Register here.
  • ASH will be delivering a webinar on delivering hte shift to prevention in the NHS. Tuesday 17 June at 11:30-12:30. The webinar will explore the changing role of ICBs in response to the government's priority to 'shift to prevention' and will be chaired by Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive of The King's Fund. The keynote speaker will be Jim Mackey, Chief Executive of NHSE. The session will take tobacco control as the case study for what can be achieved and highlight the opportunities to accelerate progress in preventing the major drivers of poor health and health inequalities. Register here.
  • Gambling Harm Reduction Funding Call. 12 June at 14:00-14:45. The meeting will serve to introduce the Community Investment Programme, a key initiative of the Network to Reduce Gamblng Harms in Great Britain. During the event, there will be an outline of how organisations can access a funding envelope of u to £1,000,000 for community-focussed initiatives. Funding opportunities are with a view to support work that increases community resilience to gambling-related harm and embeds prevention and support for gambling harms into existing programmes, policies, and services. Register here.
  • NHS Impact are hosting a virtual lunch and learn exploring health inequalities in high-intensity use of emergency services and improvement strategies to address them. 10 July 2025 at 14:00-14:50. Guest speaker Kate Griffiths from the British Red Cross will discuss key findings and insights from the latest report, nowhere else to turn. Register here.
  • Community Language Translation and Interpreting Framework webinar. Thursday 26 June at 11:30. Professor Bola Owolabi invites you to an informative and interactive session as we launch the Community Languages Translation and Interpreting Framework for Action for the NHS. Regsiter here.
  • Join the MSK health inequalities community of practice. Thursday 3rd June at 12:30. Are you working to tackle inequalities in MSK health? Join the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance's (ARMA) monthly community of practice for presentations, discussions and peer support. Register here.
  • The NHS ConfedExpo 2025 is taking place on the 11 and 12 June in Manchester. The Expo covers a range of topics spanning prevention and health inequalities.

Other useful links:

Prevention and Inequalities National Updates

A message from Dr Dianne Addei, Director - National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme, NHS England
As the new Director of the NHS Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme, I want to pass on my sincere gratitude to all for the kind messages of support I have received.
Over the next year, I will continue to champion our shared vision and push forward our 10 Year Health Plan objectives in line with the government’s mission to build a health service fit for the future.       
Within the healthcare inequalities ecosytem, our focus remains on enabling the three shifts: from hospital to community, analogue to digital and sickness to prevention. With your help, we will continue to drive exceptional quality healthcare, ensuring equitable access, excellent experience and optimal outcomes for all.  
This month, the team have been busy focussing efforts on preparations ahead of Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September - an opportunity to raise awareness about sickle cell disorder  and the sickle cell trait. Many sickle cell patients, and patients of another inherited blood condition, thalassaemia, live in areas of socio-economic deprivation. With the 10 Year Health Plan focussing on reducing the gap in health inequalities for the most deprived communities, this is an important time for us to ensure patients are receiving appropriate and high-quality care they need.
Together, we must ensure we remain steadfast in our mission to tackle healthcare inequalities and continue to shift the power to patients and communities, and I look forward to working with you to achieve this goal. 
With best wishes, 
Dianne  

Latest updates

Sickle Cell Awareness Month: 1-30 September
September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness of sickle cell disorder (SCD). SCD is the most common genetic blood condition in the UK, affecting around 17,500 people.
Anyone can be born with the condition, but it disproportionally affects people with a Black African or Black Caribbean background. 
We are asking NHS colleagues and partners to share our information and resources to help the public and healthcare professionals understand what sickle cell is. We want to encourage people to give blood and consider if they carry the genetic trait. Request to download the toolkit by emailing england.sicklecellreview@nhs.net

Sickle cell e-learning course for all healthcare professionals
Learn how you can narrow healthcare inequalities in sickle cell disorder (SCD) this September for Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
Narrowing health inequalities in sickle cell disease is a free, 30-minute e-learning course that will equip you with the knowledge of the causes of SCD and the role health and care professionals play in narrowing the gap.
Also available is the sickle cell disorder national education programme, a comprehensive e-learning course focusing on improving clinical knowledge of SCD.
Simply register for a free account or log into on the NHS Learning Hub to get started. 

Update on Core20PLUS5 Ambassadors Programme
As part of our work towards implementing the 10 Year Health Plan, the National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme is pivoting its work programme and resources to enable and support the Plan's delivery.
We will be continuing our focus on the Core20PLUS5 approach to reduce inequalities in access and outcomes for healthcare programmes. We will also be pausing our activities on mobilising Networks for Change such asCore20PLUS5 Ambassadors Programme.  As such, the Core20PLUS Ambassadors Programme will pause following the Cohort 3 Graduation Event in October 2025.
For all enquiries please contact england.healthinequalities@nhs.net

Free course on reducing health inequalities in cancer pathways
The Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance has launched '123 Approach Health Inequalities', a free online learning course that helps healthcare professionals to tackle health inequalities and improve patient experience across the cancer pathway. 
Mapped to the Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development programme (ACCEND) capabilities, the CPD-accredited course has been designed in collaboration with people who have lived experience of cancer and NHS colleagues working across the cancer pathway.
To access the course, register for an account on the Cancer Academy.

Spotlight on Keighley cancer champions: volunteers raising cancer awareness
The Keighley Cancer Awareness Network (K-CAN) is an example of how the Core20PLUS5 approach is being successfully implemented.
The K-CAN project recruited a group of health champions to tackle cancer within South Asian communities in Keighley, where there are lower-than-average uptakes for screenings.
Read more about the initiative here.

Coverage of neighbourhood health care models in operation
Two community initiatives, which are demonstrating the 10 Year Health Plan's commitment to reducing health inequalities through neighbourhood health care models, have been featured in recent BBC coverage.
Pop-up SeaFit clinics based in coastal communities such as Brixham, Folkestone and Peterhead, offer healthcare services directly from the harbour. And Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust is investing in treating people at home and in the community.

Raising awareness of thalassaemia for South Asian Heritage Month 
In August, we marked South Asian Heritage Month by raising awareness of thalassaemia, a group of rare, life-long, inherited blood conditions which mainly affects people of South Asian, Southeast Asian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern heritage.
We told the story of Naseema and Reena, two mothers of children with thalassaemia, about how the condition affects family life, and the importance of giving blood and getting tested for the genetic trait.
Read their stories in the Bangla Sanglap newspaper.

The NHS launches WhatsApp channel
NHS England has launched an official NHS WhatsApp Channel to share trusted health information directly with the public. Search for ‘NHS’ under the ‘Updates’ tab directly in WhatsApp.
Got a story or idea for the channel? Contact us at england.social@nhs.net

News from our partners

NHS RHO commissions review into NHS ethnicity pay gap
The NHS Race and Health Observatory has launched an independent review into ethnicity pay gaps in the NHS in England. It will span the period July 2025 to December 2026.

NHS RHO launches platform to drive improvements in health outcomes
The NHS Race and Health Observatory has launched the 'Health Action Resource Platform' (HARP), an interactive platform centred on supporting healthcare organisations to tackle inequalities.

Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund launched to support digital excluded people
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has launched the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, which is one of the first five actions set out in the Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps to support digitally excluded people. The fund will remain open for applications until 10 September, 15:00. 

Parliament publishes horizon scan on inequalities in public health
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST)  has published 'Public health: inequalities and prevention', an article exploring how health inequalities can be mitigated with regard to public health. 

Events and webinars

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller vaccination resources launch webinar
Monday 8 September - 11am – 12:30pm  | Online 
Friends, Families and Travellers is holding a webinar to launch its co-produced vaccination films for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
The films, created in partnership with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Roma Support Group, provide clear and accessible information on maternal and childhood vaccination as well as measles and whooping cough vaccinations.
The webinar will also include the methodology and processes behind the co-production approach.  
Book your place for the event.

AI Ambassador Network meeting: Co-designing AI policy, AI in specialist therapy and more
Wednesday 3 September 2025 - 10.30am – 12pm | Online 
Featuring speakers Megan Morys-Carter - Director of Digital Innovation, Oxford University Hospitals Trust and Maria Garcia, Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, UCLH Trust. Join the AI Ambassador Network to register.

Have you seen?

This video of how SeaFit, a partnership between Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, The Fishermen's Mission and Seafarers Hospital Society, is helping fishermen and their families access healthcare in the harbour. 

Welcome to the NHS Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme newsletter.

This month, we cover how healthcare inequalities improvement is being reaffirmed as a core priority. This can be seen through the launch of the 10 Year Health Plan, the first wave of the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation and the availability of new waiting list breakdowns.

If you have anything you would like us to share in the next edition, please submit it to england.healthinequalities@nhs.net by 25 August.

 

Latest updates

Tackling health inequalities at the heart of the 10 Year Health Plan 

'Fit for the future, our 10 Year Health Plan for England' was published earlier this month, following the biggest conversation about the NHS in its history. 

The plan's executive summary makes clear the NHS will be 'a service equipped to narrow health inequalities' with 'a reimagined NHS...designed to tackle inequalities in both access and outcomes.'

Read the 10 Year Health Plan here.

Waiting list breakdowns published to tackle health inequalities

For the first time, NHS England has published waiting list data with demographic breakdowns by age, sex, ethnicity, and deprivation.

The Waiting List Minimum Dataset (WLMDS) is a weekly data collection relating to demand, activity and waiting lists for elective care. Recent data shows those from deprived communities and from ethnic minority backgrounds are more likely to wait longer for NHS treatment.

Read NHS England's press release here.

Your invitation to take part in the Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme

In alignment with the 10 Year Health Plan's three shifts, NHS England is inviting provider organisations to join the first wave of its National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme.

The programme aims to work with providers to create neighbourhood health services that address the multiple and often complex issues impacting on the health and wellbeing of the people and communities we serve.

Applications close 8 August. Email england.neighbourhoodhealthserviceteam@nhs.net with any queries.

Raising awareness of thalassaemia for South Asian Heritage Month

To commemorate South Asian Heritage Month (18 July to 17 August), we are asking NHS colleagues and thalassaemia care advocates to raise awareness of thalassaemia - a group of rare, life-long, inherited blood conditions which mainly affect people of South Asian, Southeast Asian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern heritage.

A communications toolkit is available which includes social media cards, clinician quotes and key messages. Please email england.sicklecellreview@nhs.net for more information.

First NHS review to tackle LGBT+ healthcare inequalities

The NHS has launched its first ever review to tackle health inequalities experienced by LGBT+ people, including access to mental health care, cancer screening and primary care services.

The work will help the NHS understand how it can do more to meet the needs of LGBT+ people, including understanding barriers to accessing healthcare and the impact of LGBT+ health inequalities on outcomes and patient safety.

Find out more information about the review and how to submit evidence here.

Guidance published on equality and health inequalities legal duties

NHS England has published guidance to support NHS organisations in meeting their legal duties for equality and health inequalities.

NHS organisations play key roles in addressing equality and health inequalities; as commissioners, as employers and as local and national system leaders, in creating high-quality care for all.

Read the guidance here.

Free e-learning modules available to tackle healthcare inequalities

A number of free e-learning courses on tackling healthcare inequalities are available. 

Diagnosing breast cancer in Black women, developed by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), explores the experiences of Black women with breast cancer, while courses on sickle cell disease and the Core20PLUS5 approach are on the NHS Learning Hub.

Additionally, the Healthcare Financial Management Association has available e-learning for anyone in the NHS allocating resources to address health inequalities as well as a guide on return on investment.

Anyone can sign-up for a free account on the RCGP and NHS Learning Hub websites.

NHS commercial guidance underlines social value impact on health inequalities 

Updated commercial guidance has included the Core20PLUS5 approach as part of its guidance on applying commercial value in the procurement of NHS goods and services.

The NHS Social Value Playbook highlights the positive impact social value can have on health inequalities and outcomes, setting out examples for common areas of spend. It asks commercial colleagues to ensure the themes or outcomes align to the needs of our patients, clinicians, and local communities.

Read the playbook here.

Framework to support people with limited English proficiency 

Did you know that one million people in the UK are unable to speak English well, or at all?

NHS England launched its Improvement framework for community languages translation and interpreting services in May 2025, which is designed to support the provision of consistent, high-quality community language translation and interpreting services by the NHS to people with limited English proficiency.

Read the improvement framework here.

 

In the spotlight

Bringing speech and language services into the community

A 'Chai and Chat' speech therapy group in Bradford is reducing barriers in accessing speech and language support for communities most in need.

The group provides specialist speech and language therapy sessions to support families and children under five who experience communication difficulties.

The therapy sessions are held in accessible places, such as community centres, family hubs, churches and mosques, demonstrating the shift from hospital to community outlined in the 10 Year Health Plan.

Learn more about the 'Chai and Chat' project here.

Do you have examples of good practice to share? Please tell us via england.healthinequalities@nhs.net

 

News from our partners

Patient survey for sickle cell, thalassaemia and other anaemias live

NHS Blood and Transplant has launched a survey inviting patients who used its blood group genotyping programme to provide feedback.

The programme offered a blood group genotyping test to patients with sickle cell disorder, thalassaemia and transfusion-dependent rare inherited anaemias up until the end of June 2025.

Find out more about the programme and share the survey link here.

Improving access to Structured Medication Reviews for seldom-heard communities

The Health Innovation Network has published 'Improving access to Structured Medication Reviews in seldom-heard communities', a report sharing insights from pilots that involved patients living in areas of high deprivation and from ethnic minority groups. 

Open for entries: the 2025 Excellence in Health Creation Awards

The Health Creation Alliance has opened entries for the 2025 Excellence in Health Creation Awards, spotlighting those who are shifting power and driving real health creating change.

With a specific 'Health creating community connector of the year', the awards will be held in central Manchester on Tuesday 21 October 2025. It’s free to enter and the entry pack includes everything you need.

Midlands commission report highlights action to address healthcare inequalities

The Midlands Health and Care Inequalities Policy Commission has published a report finding that people in the Midlands face extensive inequalities and poor health outcomes. The report has put forward 10 priorities for change to help overcome barriers.

Black maternity experiences report 2025

Five X More has published its Black maternity experiences report 'Continuing the conversation on Black maternal care in the UK'. Key findings include 23% of Black women did not receive the pain relief they requested, and 40% of these women were given no explanation.

The King's Fund publishes 10 Year Health Plan long read

The King's Fund has published a long read exploring what the 10 Year Health Plan means for patients, NHS staff, systems in relation to the three shifts.

Analysis explores socioeconomic and ethnicity factors in premature mortality 

The Health Foundation has published analysis of geographic inequalities in premature mortality, exploring the role of socioeconomic factors and ethnicity. It finds that socioeconomic factors, ethnicity and being born outside the UK account for 61% of the variation in premature mortality rates.

Child poverty on the front line of the NHS

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has published a joint report with Child Poverty Action Group which highlights the impact of rising child poverty on children’s health and NHS services.

Effectiveness of devolution in addressing health inequalities

As part of a programme of work commissioned by The Health Foundation, the Centre for Local Economic Strategies and The King's Fund has published the first in a series of essays that will answer key questions about the effectiveness of devolution in addressing health inequalities.

 

Events and webinars

Tackling health inequalities in rural communities - virtual showcase
Wednesday 17 September - 9:30am - 11:30am | Online 

Clinical and non-clinical colleagues working across long-term conditions and health inequalities are invited to a virtual showcase spotlighting a pioneering multi-morbidity model from the South West region.
Led by the Holsworthy Farmers Health Hub and organised by NHS England South West, this cross-sector initiative addresses long-term conditions - including mental health - through place-based, community-driven care.

Register for the event here.

Patient discussion workshop - treatment options for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Wednesday 27 August - 1:00pm - 3:00pm | Online 

Join this discussion workshop about new treatment options for people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and contribute to NHS England guidance. This is a great opportunity to help shape the guidance that local systems will be given to deliver services drawing on patients' valuable experiences.
 
People with lived experience of COPD including family members, carers or friends, are welcome to attend and will receive a £60 voucher for taking part.

For more information, please contact sarah.pavia@nhs.net. Patients can request to attend by filling out a form.

 

Have you seen?

"Good intentions, risks and missed opportunities: What the NHS plan means for health and care inequalities", a blog from Dr John Ford from the Health Equity Evidence Centre that analyses what the 10 Year Health Plan means for health and care inequalities.
 

A message from Professor Bola Owolabi, Director - National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme, NHS England

The success of NHS ConfedExpo earlier this month truly highlighted how healthcare inequalities improvement has moved centre stage. Around a quarter of all sessions focused on tackling inequalities — clear evidence of its ever-growing importance. 

On Wednesday, I joined the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in Blackpool where he spoke about the upcoming 10 Year Health Plan’s focus on addressing health inequalities. This moment confirmed what we have known all along – our shared purpose and tangible action is making a difference. 

The day before the speech, I travelled across Sheffield on the 83 bus route with BBC’s Naga Munchetty. Despite the stark disparities across the city, we are starting to see the dial turn on tackling health inequalities and can be optimistic in the enormous progress being made to reduce the life expectancy gap.  

On World Sickle Cell Awareness Day on 19 June, I attended the launch of the NHS Race and Health Observatory's Sickle cell comparative review to inform policy report at the House of Lords. This seminal report contrasts sickle cell care with other rare genetic diseases and presents evidence-driven recommendations to tackle inequalities. 
 
I welcome the report’s recommendations in striving for better data, better support and better treatment for sickle cell patients. We are making great progress, such as through gene-editing therapy and the recent investment in cell exchange therapy. But alongside this, we need to work to ensure every sickle cell patient receives the exceptional healthcare they need and deserve.  

As many of you know, this will be my final newsletter as I prepare to leave NHS England on 4 July for my new role at the Care Quality Commission. Together, we have built something truly remarkable – our Core20PLUS5 approach has become embedded across the NHS, we have worked to include our health inequalities metrics in the NHS Performance Assessment Framework, and healthcare inequalities has moved from the periphery to the core of NHS priorities. 
 
None of this would have been possible without the tireless commitment of our NHS colleagues, partners, and most importantly, the communities we serve. Our shared vision of exceptional quality healthcare for all through equitable access, excellent experience and optimal outcomes will continue to guide this vital work. 

As we look forward to the upcoming 10 Year Health Plan, there is ample opportunity to make continued impact in giving a voice to the seldom heard and shifting rhetoric into real-world change. 

With my deepest gratitude and very best wishes, 
Bola 

 

Latest updates

Health inequalities sessions at ConfedExpo

On 11 and 12 June, the Health Inequalities Improvement Programme headed to Manchester to attend ConfedExpo - the UK's leading health and care conference, bringing together over 5,000 healthcare professionals.

Hannah Baird, Sara Javid and Aoife Molloy from the team all delivered panels and presentations on topics such as high intensity use, leadership in health equity, and the Innovation for Healthcare Inequalities Programme respectively. While Professor Bola Owolabi led sessions on closing the health inequality gap in rare diseases, implementing the NHS 10 Year Health Plan and discussing how reducing health inequalities will shape the future.

As a team, we were heartened to see the high attendance at these sessions and the great contributions from the audience with innovate ideas around ending health disparities.

Watch the catch-up sessions here.

What Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia can teach us about community, choice, and carriers

A blog has been published exploring how genetic counselling can empower those who may be carriers of inherited blood disorders. The author, Dr Rossby Awadzi, is a GP trainee and Sickle Cell Clinical Fellow at NHS England with a passion for red cell medicine.

Read the blog and share with your networks now

Professor Bola Owolabi visits Fleetwood Primary Care Network to see how mental health initiatives are helping children and young people to thrive

On 10 June, Professor Bola Owolabi visited Fleetwood Youth Hub and two local schools to hear more about the 'Thrive' initiative, and how joint working across health and education is working with regard to children’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Speaking about her visit to Fleetwood, Professor Owolabi said: “This is a wonderful example of neighbourhood health in action, built on community voices, powered by partnership, and delivered with commitment and authentic leadership.”

Read the full press release

Watch Professor Bola Owolabi visit Thistlemoor Medical Centre

Professor Bola Owolabi visited Thistlemoor Medical Centre in Peterborough on 21 May to open its new Health Pod and Endoscopy Unit. 

The award-winning centre has used an inclusion health approach to narrow the health inequalities gap in its local community, constantly pushing the frontiers to provide exceptional quality healthcare for all through equitable access, excellent experience and optimal outcomes.
 
Hear from Professor Owolabi about her visit. 

NHS England and Pathway launch report on inclusion health for homeless

Homeless and inclusion health charity Pathway has launched a report, 'The Opposite of a Siege Mentality - Collaborative Action on Inclusion Health'. Funded by NHS England, it draws on the experiences and insights of local health systems across England working to tackle extreme health inequalities. 

Professor Bola Owolabi, Director of the National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme at NHS England, said: “No single organisation, profession or sector can reduce health inequalities for inclusion health groups in isolation...The multiple interacting causes of social exclusion and ill health in inclusion health groups require cross-sector, interagency working within ICSs, and through strategic coproduction with people with lived experience.”

Sickle cell patients to get better treatment after £9 million boost

Patients with sickle cell disease are set to benefit from quicker and more accessible treatment thanks to major upgrades to life-saving technology. Backed by a £9 million investment from NHS England, the government is set to transform apheresis services - a specialised set of treatments which remove harmful components from a patient’s blood - by funding more specialist treatment centres, as well as expanding access to cutting-edge technology.

Find out more

Fourth cohort of Core20PLUS Ambassadors opens 14 July

Recruitment for the fourth cohort of NHS England's Core20PLUS Ambassadors Programme will open on 14 July.

We are looking for people who are working in the NHS and across Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) or wider in local authorities, the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector or in industry who:
are committed to improving access, experience and outcomes
have strong links to Core20PLUS communities 
work in underserved areas, including rural and coastal regions

Please notify your networks to help us spread the word. Recruitment opens 14 July and closes 12 September 2025. Interested individuals can apply by completing the expression of interest form (available from 14 July).

If you have any questions, please email england.core20plusambassador@nhs.net

Return on investment (ROI) guide and e-learning modules available

The Healthcare Financial Management Association has published a return on investment guide, which gives practical advice on how finance staff can help to measure ROI, especially for health inequalities and preventative programmes.

Alongside this guide, finance professionals can also access range of free e-learning modules aimed at tackling health inequalities. Further courses for all NHS staff on reducing healthcare inequalities in sickle cell disease and the Core20PLUS5 approach are on the NHS Learning Hub.

Core20PLUS5 health on probation animations and posters

People in non-custodial community settings, under the supervision of the Probation Service, are a key inclusion health group. They experience significant health inequalities with multiple disadvantages.

To support them, the NHS Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme has created a number resources linked to the Core20PLUS5 framework for reducing healthcare inequalities, with the aim of preventing ill health. The resources produced include five animations and posters on heart health, lung conditions, cancer, mental health and stopping smoking.

Download and share these resources to help tackle health inequalities faced by people in probation settings in your local area.

Download the resources

Home testing kits for lifesaving checks against cervical cancer 

The government is to offer home-testing kits as part of the cervical screening programme under its upcoming 10 Year Health Plan. Women and people with a cervix across England who haven’t come forward for vital health checks will be offered home-testing kits as part of the cervical screening programme under the upcoming 10 Year Health Plan.

Find out more

The Oliver McGowan Code of Practice: Transforming Care for People with a Learning Disability and Autistic People

The Department of Health and Social Care has launched the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice, marking a significant milestone in improving healthcare for people with a learning disability and autistic people.

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is the government's recommended training package. Over 3 million people have already completed the first part and there are now more than approved 2,700 trainers delivering interactive sessions for part 2 nationwide.

NIHR: Be Part of Research - How you can help

'Be Part of Research' is National Institute for Health and Care Research's (NIHR) flagship initiative to encourage public participation in health and care research.
The campaign  focuses on increasing participation from under-represented communities, ensuring research benefits and works for everyone. The campaign highlights the importance of research and the people who make it possible. Increased participation helps the NHS develop treatments, technologies and services that work better for everyone.

Reasonable adjustment patient flags

NHS England is introducing changes to Reasonable Adjustment Patient Flags.  The Learning Disability and Autism – Health Improvement team is proactively onboarding local IT suppliers by asking them to read the Developer Catalogue - Patient Flags and register their interest to begin onboarding the Patient Flag API register. 

 

News from our partners

NHS RHO launches sickle cell comparative review report

NHS Race and Health Observatory has launched its Sickle cell comparative review to inform policy report, revealing striking inequalities often reflected in the experiences of patients living with sickle cell, and providing evidence-based recommendations to tackle inequalities. 

£50m funding call to tackle inequalities in cardiovascular disease

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has launched an ‘Inequalities Challenge’ funding opportunity for cardiovascular disease (CVD), aiming to invest £50 million into innovative new research in CVD to tackle preventable causes of heart disease. 

Good Things Foundation report: Belief and trust barriers to using digital health services

Good Things Foundation has published Belief and trust barriers to using digital health services: learning from a research and co-design project. The report explores how concerns about privacy, data use, and quality of care affect people’s willingness to engage with digital health services.

The King's Fund: New five-year corporate strategy

The King's Fund has delivered a new five-year strategy that represents pressing issues where a big shift is required to deliver positive change for people. Find out what Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive of The King's Fund, thinks about the new vision for people and patients. 

NHS SCW produce report on the Core20PLUS Connectors programme

NHS South, Central and West (NHS SCW), in collaboration with NHS England's Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme, has released a report covering the full scope of the Core20PLUS Connectors programme. 

 

Men's Health Strategy for England: call for evidence

The Department of Health and Social care is calling for evidence to inform a Men's Health Strategy for England. The closing date for comments is 17 July 2025.

The Strategy Unit: Scoping a Health Needs Assessment for Adults on Probation in England

A report from The Strategy Unit explores these issues around health inequalities for people under supervision of the probation service. It sets out recommendations for commissioning and delivering a national health needs assessment to address the data gap and support local health needs assessments for the probation population.

Doctors of the World UK launches 'Safe Surgeries' toolkit

Explore the 'Safe Surgeries' toolkit for clinicians that provides practical guidance, useful tips, and signposting to further resources to support clinicians to deliver informed, compassionate, and person-centred care to those navigating the asylum system.

Digital Poverty Alliance launches inquiry into digital inclusion and health

The Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) has launched its Inquiry into Digital Inclusion and Health. A call for evidence is open until 30 July to understand how digital exclusion is shaping outcomes, and to inform the changes needed to make digital health truly inclusive. 

 

Events and webinars
Addressing belief and trust barriers in accessing digital health
Tuesday 1 July - 12:00pm | Online 
Join this important conversation on digital inclusion and trust in healthcare, following the recent release of “Belief and trust barriers to using digital health services” by Good Things Foundation (GTF). The GTF invites you to an online event exploring the concerns that prevent many people from confidently using digital health services - and how we can address them together.
Register via Eventbrite.

NHS IMPACT lunch and learn: high intensity use of emergency departments
Thursday 10 July - 2:00pm - 2:50pm | Online 
Join this interactive session to hear about the British Red Cross' work to better support people who frequently attend emergency departments. It is hosted by Professor Amar Shah.
Register for free now.

Artificial intelligence events
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ambassador Network is holding a couple of events on AI usage in healthcare. Join the AI Ambassador Network which will automatically register you for the meetings.
Introduction to AI: Concepts, everyday usage and best practice - An AI Ambassador Network spin-off session, 30 June 2025, 11.00 - midday
Monday 30 June - 11:00am | Online 
David Wilcock – NHS London Central and West, will introduce AI from concepts through to usage scenarios. 
AI Ambassador network meeting: National perspectives on AI and more
Wednesday 2 July - 10:30am | Online 
Featuring guest speakers Dominic Cushnan, Deputy Director for AI and Sarah Culkin, Deputy Director of Data Science, NHS England. 

Have you seen?

Professor Bola Owolabi at The Health and Social Care Committee's meeting on Black Maternal Health, alongside representatives from the Royal College of Midwives, the Department of Health and Social Care, and more. Watch it on parliamentlive.tv.
 

Other

Improving Together conference: A place to share, learn and connect.  
Wednesday 10th September 2025

We are delighted to inform you that as part of National Quality Improvement (QI) week 2025, we are holding an in person Improving Together conference, at the Kings Community Church, Hedge End, SO30 4BZ. 

This is a collaborative event between NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB, The Academy of Research and Improvement, and NHS providers.

The theme of QI week is ‘QI is for everyone’ so the day is designed to be a system-wide, interactive opportunity to bring together people from Hampshire and Isle of Wight and beyond to share, learn and connect as we work together to build a community of continuous improvement and learning.

During the event we will be running a poster competition, if you have a good news story around an improvement project that you would like to share, please send to Liz Taylor at hiowicb-hsi.clinicaleffectiveness@nhs.net before the 22nd August in order for us to print and display on the day. If you need a template or guidance around how to best present your story please get in touch. 

If you would like to attend, please register here

This event is funded through the Q Community’s Supporting Q Connections programme, by the Health Foundation.

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In the past six months, the number of practices signed up to Safer Surgeries in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has more than doubled, rising to 26 practices. This growing momentum reflects a shared commitment to making primary care safer and more accessible for everyone, especially patients who may face barriers to care.

Why sign up?
Becoming a Safer Surgery means joining a network of practices that are making small, practical changes to reduce health inequalities. You’ll receive guidance and tools to:

  • Create a welcoming, non-discriminatory environment
  • Support patients without documentation or with uncertain immigration status
  • Tackle barriers to registration and care

The benefits are clear: improved patient trust, enhanced safety, and alignment with NHS core values of inclusivity and equity.

📩 To find out more visit Introduction to Safe Surgeries: Improving access to Primary Care

Let’s keep the momentum going – together, we can make every surgery a safer surgery.

The UK is currently experiencing a significant decrease in vaccine coverage and an increasing risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Following the success of Let’s Talk About Vaccines training in Hampshire & IOW, we have launched a 1-day Vaccine Champions programme. This programme provides coaching tools and support to enable you to have meaningful conversations with staff and service users, to help people make informed decisions around vaccinations.

The Vaccine Champions programme provides you with an opportunity to support vaccination uptake to address vaccine hesitancy and provide education.

This is a fully interactive and reflective programme with opportunities to practice techniques, discuss experience and approaches with peers and colleagues and reflect on practice.

Apply here.

Let’s Talk About Vaccines (LTaV) is a training session to help build your confidence, skills and knowledge to open up discussions with service users about vaccination decisions in your local area.LTAV.png

This 2.5-hour online, interactive session is free to health, social care and voluntary sector staff within the NHS Hampshire & Isle of Wight ICB footprint. 

This training uses approaches from:

  • Making Every Contact Count (MECC)
  • Shared Decision Making
  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Apply 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.

Treetops Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) provides comprehensive support, advice and forensic medical examination services to people who have experienced rape or sexual assault throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Treetops is a 24/7 service operating 365(6) days a year and staffed by Crisis Workers and Sexual Offence Examiners. Most people engage with Treetops through the Police, but self-referrals are accepted.

The team of Crisis Workers offer 24/7 telephone support. The Crisis Worker can talk you through your options and provide information on the support available. In addition, they can refer and/or signpost you to a range of services including the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) service and therapeutic support. A Sexual Offence Examiner is a qualified forensic doctor or nurse, who can provide a forensic medical examination and medical aftercare such as emergency contraception and sexual health advice. 

The service Treetops SARC provides is free to access and confidential. We will only share your details with other services or agencies with your consent unless there is a concern that you or someone else is at risk of serious harm. We have a legal duty to share information with other services if you are under 18.
We are in a discreet and secure location with free onsite parking.

Contact: admin.treetops@solent.nhs.uk

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

The session will provide information about our service in Hampshire, outline our referral process and treatment options, as well as provide some basic drug and alcohol awareness training.

This session is aimed at professionals working with people who may benefit from drug and alcohol treatment/support, or staff members from our partner agencies who would like to expand their knowledge around drugs and alcohol.

There are four dates availble to choose from:

December 2024

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