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Communities and charities hold the answer to a more equal NHS Communities and charities hold the answer to a more equal NHS
(6 months later)
The NHS launched in 1948 with the founding principle “that it meets the needs of everyone”, and in 2011 a commitment to equality was enshrined in its constitution (pdf). However, equality is still some way from being realised in the health service.The NHS launched in 1948 with the founding principle “that it meets the needs of everyone”, and in 2011 a commitment to equality was enshrined in its constitution (pdf). However, equality is still some way from being realised in the health service.
Experiences of healthcare are still strongly determined by race, sexuality, gender and disability. Recent reports such as the Mental Health Taskforce (pdf) show that there are persistent inequalities for black and minority ethnic people, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBT), disabled people and those with experience of the criminal justice system and homelessness.Experiences of healthcare are still strongly determined by race, sexuality, gender and disability. Recent reports such as the Mental Health Taskforce (pdf) show that there are persistent inequalities for black and minority ethnic people, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBT), disabled people and those with experience of the criminal justice system and homelessness.
To encourage more NHS trusts and organisations to work with communities to decrease inequality in services, the Race Equality Foundation (REF) has brought together experiences and knowledge to create a guide. At the heart of the guide is the principle that communities should be involved in developing healthcare services from the start – making it more likely that the NHS will genuinely meet the needs of all. So what can the voluntary and community sector do to help the NHS along?To encourage more NHS trusts and organisations to work with communities to decrease inequality in services, the Race Equality Foundation (REF) has brought together experiences and knowledge to create a guide. At the heart of the guide is the principle that communities should be involved in developing healthcare services from the start – making it more likely that the NHS will genuinely meet the needs of all. So what can the voluntary and community sector do to help the NHS along?
Community organisations are often on the frontline of helping marginalised people and are formed from the very communities they work for. This means they are not only trusted by these groups of people but also understand what they need from health services.Community organisations are often on the frontline of helping marginalised people and are formed from the very communities they work for. This means they are not only trusted by these groups of people but also understand what they need from health services.
The organisation Friends, Families and Travellers is a good example – it has long supported Gypsy and Traveller communities’ access healthcare and worked to ensure the NHS and other services meet the needs of these groups. In fact, many of these voluntary sector groups, just like the REF, started because public services like the NHS were simply not working for some people in society and their voices were not being heard.The organisation Friends, Families and Travellers is a good example – it has long supported Gypsy and Traveller communities’ access healthcare and worked to ensure the NHS and other services meet the needs of these groups. In fact, many of these voluntary sector groups, just like the REF, started because public services like the NHS were simply not working for some people in society and their voices were not being heard.
Yet there are areas where NHS trusts are already working with communities by creating novel ways to receive feedback. The North West ambulance service has developed a novel way to reach out to its local community by creating a patient experience board game with the theme. Players move round the board, hopping from different healthcare issues, and are allocated points depending on the feedback and views they give. The feedback is then passed on to the ambulance service. The game is a simple way for people to give their opinions on health services without filling out a form – making it accessible for people with poor literacy skills.Yet there are areas where NHS trusts are already working with communities by creating novel ways to receive feedback. The North West ambulance service has developed a novel way to reach out to its local community by creating a patient experience board game with the theme. Players move round the board, hopping from different healthcare issues, and are allocated points depending on the feedback and views they give. The feedback is then passed on to the ambulance service. The game is a simple way for people to give their opinions on health services without filling out a form – making it accessible for people with poor literacy skills.
Related: Black and minority ethnic people are shortchanged by mental health services
But to really achieve equality, NHS organisations need to make long-term commitments to communities. The North Cumbria University hospitals NHS trust has a formal agreement with AWAZ Cumbria, a black and minority ethnic community development organisation, to help the trust advance equality. AWAZ provides practical advice and guidance and acts as a critical friend to the trust. Building these relationships and agreements provides stability and can have a genuine impact on the health of communities.But to really achieve equality, NHS organisations need to make long-term commitments to communities. The North Cumbria University hospitals NHS trust has a formal agreement with AWAZ Cumbria, a black and minority ethnic community development organisation, to help the trust advance equality. AWAZ provides practical advice and guidance and acts as a critical friend to the trust. Building these relationships and agreements provides stability and can have a genuine impact on the health of communities.
In Southampton, the voluntary and community sector is helping the University Hospital Southampton NHS foundation trust to reach minority groups. With the help of the local organisations the trust set up staff groupings that cover BME, disability, LGBT, religion or belief and parents and carers to ensure that everyone’s needs are being met.In Southampton, the voluntary and community sector is helping the University Hospital Southampton NHS foundation trust to reach minority groups. With the help of the local organisations the trust set up staff groupings that cover BME, disability, LGBT, religion or belief and parents and carers to ensure that everyone’s needs are being met.
The Win-Win Alliance, a group of disability charities, helped those with disabilities develop a vision for their health services. It was then put to potential bidders to tender. The group was also involved in creating the criteria against which the performance of services would be judged.The Win-Win Alliance, a group of disability charities, helped those with disabilities develop a vision for their health services. It was then put to potential bidders to tender. The group was also involved in creating the criteria against which the performance of services would be judged.
The NHS is trying to improve its services and give users a better experience. By reaching out to the voluntary and community sector in partnership, we can work towards the common goal of an NHS that works for everyone.The NHS is trying to improve its services and give users a better experience. By reaching out to the voluntary and community sector in partnership, we can work towards the common goal of an NHS that works for everyone.
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