Health inequalities webinar, held on 31 October 2024.

This webinar reflected on the role of data as a key enabler for addressing health inequalities. We shared examples from two NHS trusts that have developed specific data dashboards and tools to monitor activity and inequalities data, which is then used to inform action on reducing health inequalities.

Chair:
Saffron Cordery – deputy chief executive, NHS Providers

Speakers:
Pippa Nightingale – chief executive, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

James Biggin-Lamming – director of strategy and transformation, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

Piers Milner – head of strategy, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

Claudia De'Vries – health inequalities project manager, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Rachel Westbourne – public health lead, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Download the presentation slides here.

Watch back to:

• Hear Saffron outline how access to timely and accurate data can provide an understanding of population needs and target interventions to tackle inequalities. Saffron reflected on results from our health inequalities member survey, where trust leaders highlighted barriers in relation to data capture and recording. She also shared information from our health inequalities guide for board members, which highlights data as a key factor for making change.
  
  
• Hear London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (London North West) provide an overview of their health equity index. Pippa highlighted the demographics and inequalities within North West London, and outlined the trust's strategic approach to reducing health inequalities. James and Piers provided information about the development of a health equity index, which provides the trust with an overall score (based on 30 metrics) between zero and one to measure how equitable the trust’s services are. This approach will allow the trust to measure and track progress over time in reducing health inequalities.
  
  
• Listen to the Q&A with London North West, where delegates asked questions on:
  • Data capture and reporting; including identifying data gaps, updating patient records through data sharing, and embedding a culture of data collection.
  • Suggestions for staff training to enable data analysis and interpretation.
  • Interpreting data meaningfully where there are issues in data quality or low reporting.
    
    
• Hear Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (Calderdale and Huddersfield) discuss their health inequalities data dashboard and flagging system. The trust has prioritised addressing inequalities for patients with learning disabilities, by IMD, ethnicity, and wider social factors. Their inequalities matrix tool has informed specific projects, such as reducing inequalities in elective recovery and reducing 'Did Not Attend' rates through their missed appointment pilot.
  
  
• Listen to the Q&A with Calderdale and Huddersfield, where delegates asked questions on:
  • How data can be used to evidence impact on outcomes.
  • The benefits of data sharing with system partners, such as with primary care, other trusts, and local authorities.
  • The practicalities of 'flagging' patients within services to better patient care and outcomes.
    
    

Resources:

• Reducing health inequalities: A guide for NHS trust board members – what good looks like in data analysis and interpretation
• United against health inequalities: Moving in the right direction – survey results on how trust leaders are using data to tackle health inequalities
• Tackling health inequalities with effective data and insight – briefing on how data can be used to develop a robust response to inequalities
• London North West – Equity Index
• Calderdale and Huddersfield – using a data driven approach to reduce waiting lists for people with a learning disability