Anita Salhotra

What are the key factors in influencing collaboration between health services and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) groups? Tower Hamlets CVS is working with Tower Hamlets Together (THT) to implement a coproduction response to health inequalities funding from NHS North East London Integrated Care System, in order to better understand the dynamic between health services and VCSE groups. Please complete this survey ➜ https://bit.ly/3WeO4xL The survey will help us to get an overview of the work that is currently happening. We will use the information to create a systems map of what is happening, to help identify the unmet needs as well as looking at how to strengthen the relationship with health partners and the VCSE voluntary & community groups. Tower Hamlets Together TOWER HAMLETS GP CARE GROUP CIC NHS North East London East London NHS Foundation Trust #HealthInequalities #VCSE #CommunityHealth #TowerHamletsTogether #KeepingTowerHamletsSafe

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The Specialist Cancer Charities Group (SCCG) commissioned Thinks Insight & Strategy to convene a citizens' jury on the topic of patients’ priorities for the future of cancer care in the UK.    A diverse group of 17 cancer patients came together to draw on their lived experiences, listen to expert witnesses and collaborate to develop recommendations for policymakers.    Over the course of four weeks, the citizens' jury convened to explore key issues such as cancer diagnosis, innovation, health inequalities, mental health, and the fiscal constraints affecting UK cancer policy.    The key recommendations developed by jurors are as follows:     ▪️Ensure people are diagnosed as early as possible by investing in education, screening and primary care.  ▪️There should be equal cancer care for all – no matter who they are or where they live.  ▪️There should be mental health support for all patients, and their families or carers.  ▪️There should be better communication within the NHS and with cancer patients about their care.    Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/ebYZGzdQ Anthony Nolan , Blood Cancer UK, Bowel Cancer UK, Breast Cancer Now, Sarcoma UK, Young Lives vs Cancer, Teenage Cancer Trust.

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To coincide with #MedComms Day (12th June) and the first session in Manchester of the HCA’s Annual Conference (13th June), the Healthcare Communications Association is launching our new measurement and evaluation campaign, Start SMART. Measurement and evaluation metrics should be included in all communications activities so we can demonstrate their impact and value. They need to be considered from the outset of our projects and is why we are encouraging organisations, teams, and individuals to always Start SMART. If we Start SMART, with a SMART objective, we are focused on what, how, and when we are going to measure and evaluate, from the very start of our activity. As professionals, and as a sector, we must continually learn and adapt, to ensure we consistently deliver our best work, and are able to demonstrate the value of communications. Effective measurement and evaluation are essential for these goals. Start SMART needs to become the healthcare communicator's mantra. So why don’t you take a pledge to always Start SMART. #MedComms #HCAConference #TogetherForBetter #StartSMART #Evaluation

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Every additional £1 invested in England’s obstetrics and gynaecology services could generate a return on investment of £11, says a new report released today from the NHS Confederation, CREATE Health Foundation and London Economics Ltd. Just £1 per woman in England would be enough to generate an estimated £319 million return to the economy, according to the report: ‘Women’s health economics: investing in the 51 per cent.’ “This report highlights the urgent need for sustainable funding to support the 10-year Women’s Health Strategy for England and women’s health more broadly. The findings demonstrate that investing in women’s health services is not merely a matter of improving health outcomes; there is also an economic imperative that has far-reaching benefits across our society." Dr Layla McCay, NHS Confederation Full story: https://lnkd.in/eJ2buM3t Bridget Gorham

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Health inequalities in the UK are a pressing issue that cannot be ignored. Our new white paper highlights the disparities in health outcomes for breast cancer patients between different areas and socio-economic groups, and makes recommendations to address these. Download it here: https://lnkd.in/eVAnUqNJ #PfizerUK

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The #NHS was seen as one of the bigger winners from last week's historic #Budget, although some have questioned just how much health leaders will be able to spend on frontline service improvements once commitments to pay deals and funding existing deficits are taken into account. As we said at the time, we also feel it's vitally important that some of the extra money is ringfenced for #learning and #development. It might not feel like a priority just now, right? But, actually, improving access to L&D for NHS managers and other healthcare professionals can do wonders for productivity, morale, upskilling and a host of other things that are so crucial in helping the NHS to function. And, just as importantly, this pays back in the long-term with a better skilled, better supported, more settled workforce. What's not to like?

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Stop. Make a Change - How To Get Involved We are asking all CECA Members to get involved with this year’s campaign. Ideas include: 💡 ask everyone to engage in the Conversation Starter Programme 💡 run a more formal workshop with speakers. 💡 provide signposting to key providers who can help you with your specific concerns. 💡 engage with Cancer Research UK and Mates in Mind programmes if appropriate. 💡 discuss what good practice looks like in your work environment 💡 provide materials (eg. posters) to reinforce particular messages. ##StopMakeAChange

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➡ Just 24% of Britons are satisfied with the health system which is a record-low, dropping by 29% in the last 3 years. Reasons for this being long waits, staffing shortages, increased demand, inadequate funding, low technological advancements and strained services.    ➡ Over 80% support universal NHS access, but the aging demographics and increasing complexity in health needs intensify the issues. Social care shortages cause high bed occupancy and delayed new admissions.This dissatisfaction reflects a health service pushed to its limits, calling for urgent healthcare transformation.   ✨ Technological advancements can play a pivotal role and Longlive believes in revolutionizing healthcare and helping solve the issue by empowering individuals to take control of their health creating a sustainable healthcare system for future generations. #healthequity #healthservice #healthtech NHS Professionals NHS Dr Julian Nesbitt Dr Oliver Large Hammad Ahmed Natalia P.

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"Policymakers have nothing to lose and everything to gain when it comes to investing in public health. Doing nothing to address the UK’s declining health is going to cost us much more in the long term." 💬 Whether it is making sure our food is safe to eat, the air we breathe is clean, the communal spaces we use are hygienic, the wider public health workforce do a huge amount of work that isn’t always recognised. In a new article for Bright Blue, our Chief Exec William Roberts explains why investing in and supporting the wider public health workforce is a key component of building a healthier and more productive future 🤝 https://lnkd.in/eyNAbEsZ

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📢 NEW FREE WEBINAR. A decline in uptake of key vaccines means public health teams are being tasked to come up with new campaigns this spring.   So in our next Public Health Communications Hub webinar we’re looking at the latest insight & campaign examples to give council & NHS communicators some fresh ideas.   Uptake of the MMR vaccine has declined in the past 10 years & an increased focus on vaccines since the pandemic & a spike in anti-vaccine sentiment haven’t helped – leading to recent outbreaks of measles.   Many children & young adults (who missed out when their parents read now discredited views published in the late 90s) need to catch up on doses.   The Covid-19 spring boosters for the over-75s & those with compromised immunity can also be a “hard sell” with the eligible cohort small & difficult to target & many by now fatigued by multiple invitations for Covid jabs.   In the webinar we’ll discuss: 👊 How to deliver maximum value & impact with low-cost tactics when budgets are stretched. 👊 Which online platforms have worked and not for vaccine campaigns & how to avoid the pitfalls of channel limitations. 👊 Measurable outcomes, evaluation tips & stakeholder management.   Sign up! https://lnkd.in/eN4yXUPQ   Russell Cartwright John Paul Danon

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🎙 In this episode of the Tiny Medical Apps / Digital Health Passport podcast, cohosts Dom Burch and Saira S. Arif 🍉 Arif interview Laura King, a senior children and young people's asthma practitioner for North East London. 👩‍⚕️ Laura shares her journey from starting in orthopaedics to becoming an asthma specialist, highlighting her initial experiences in A&E and her passion for managing long-term conditions like asthma. 🚸 Career Journey and Passion for Asthma Care: Laura King discusses her transition from orthopaedics to asthma care, emphasising her interest in managing long-term conditions seen in A&E. She shares how her early experiences shaped her dedication to helping children and families manage asthma effectively. 🚨 Challenges and Strategies in Asthma Management: Laura addresses the difficulties families face, particularly in deprived areas, in managing asthma. She highlights the importance of education and empowerment, ensuring families have the knowledge to make informed decisions about their health. 📚 Engagement and Education Techniques: Laura elaborates on her use of visual aids and storybooks to simplify complex asthma information for children and families. She believes in making information accessible and memorable through creative methods. 📱 Digital Tools and Innovations: The podcast explores the benefits of digital tools like the Digital Health Passport, which consolidates health information in one place. Laura praises the app's ability to help families manage asthma symptoms and access essential information conveniently. 🤱 Personal Stories and Inspiration: Laura shares personal stories, including the loss of a close friend, which inspired her to write children's books. She also discusses how becoming a mother has driven her to push for improvements in asthma care. 💕 Future Direction and Advice: Laura encourages healthcare professionals to show their passion and humanity in their work. She advises not to be afraid of being emotional and personal, as it can greatly enhance patient care. ⬇ To listen to the full interview click here: https://lnkd.in/egGhQRzk

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For Allergy Awareness Week, we've written an Open Letter addressed to all party leaders calling on the current and next government to improve the provision of allergy care in the UK. We've invited leading allergy charities, clinicians, peer organisations, and families who have tragically lost loved ones to join us in signing. And you can add your signature, too. As we approach a General Election this year, we believe it is important for political parties to be aware that approximately 1 in 3 of the voting adult population is living with an allergic condition. The letter is calling for the government to:   📣 Commission allergy nurses and dietitians as services offered by GPs to ensure equal access to specialist care.   📣 Establish a national allergy database for efficient resource allocation of allergy healthcare services.  📣 Invest in research and innovation to develop effective treatments   📣 Work with all industries, especially food and travel, and education partners to guarantee allergy education in school and working environments. We believe these four actions can create a more equitable system with more timely, accurate and effective patient care. We have lost 20 years calling for change and we’re calling on the next government to not lose a minute more to inaction on allergy. Soon, 1 in 2 people will be living with an allergy. We think that’s a problem that’s #toobigtoignore. Don’t you?  If you agree, please do add your name to the letter ✍ https://lnkd.in/eaSm2NWr #AllergyAwarenessWeek #AllergyAwarenessWeek2024 #Allergy #TooBigTolgnore #ItsTimeToTakeAllergySeriously We extend our gratitude to the individuals and organisations who have joined us in signing our open letter.

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Did you know hepatitis B can survive outside the body for at least 7 days and is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV? Interested in learning more, take a look at our guide to hepatitis B and D - https://orlo.uk/qrwzc

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Last year, NCL ICS was successful in a bid for £100,000 from NHS England and Department of Health and Social Care to develop our own Research Engagement Network (REN). This national programme aims to:  💡 increase #diversity of voice and participation in #healthresearch, with a focus on underserved communities. 💡 build the foundations to explore how we can shape academic research opportunities with local communities. Health research shapes the future of health including the medications, treatments and services we receive. But we are all different and our bodies and life experiences directly impact how we may respond to treatments and how we access health and care. This is why high quality research that is representative of our local diverse populations is so important. The North Central London REN programme delivers on the ambitions of our Population Health and Integrated Care Strategy which outlines our collective ambition to focus on health inequalities by listening to our communities, working closely with voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations and academic colleagues, and becoming both an evidence-based and evidence-generating system. A strong focus of our REN so far has been on how we work with local communities – ensuring the projects were led by our grassroots VCSE and community leaders from our black and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities. In Haringey we focused on prostate health with black men, whereas in Enfield we focused on holistic health. By taking this approach we’ve been able to engage meaningfully with our local communities, build a reciprocal relationship and improve trust. Read more about our Population Health strategy on our website: https://lnkd.in/etsM4Syq

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Jeremy Clark and Polly Beaumont had a fantastic time at the Healthcare Communications Association (HCA) conference last week. They enjoyed a packed afternoon hearing from academic and communications experts on wider, social determinants for health and the issue of health inequity. There were some truly startling and sobering statistics shared that illustrated the extent to which deep inequity is buried in our health industries and healthcare systems. Key takeaways: 1. Integrating health equity considerations into healthcare communications strategies is not only a moral decision, but a business one 2. As communications professionals, we have an obligation to ensure our campaigns reach all communities within our target audience – it’s no longer OK to talk about “hard to reach communities” as some kind of excuse, we have to take responsibility for not really trying hard enough (or at all) to reach them in the past 3. In order to contribute to making real change for real people, we must challenge ourselves to incorporate health equity considerations into our measurement plans #health #healthcarecomms #healthinequity #networking 

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The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has urged that winter is set to be very difficult for the NHS - the budget may not be sufficient to prevent avoidable deaths over the coming months.   Our joint report with Academy of Medical Royal Colleges articulates the need for more home and community-based care. Delivering this essential transformational shift is now critical. It's time to deliver a sustainable model of care that enables people to become or stay more independent at home safely, and support our NHS. Download the report here: https://lnkd.in/eVRkpdCh #NHS #health #budget

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