Final Evidence Summary 9th Feburary - 25th ... - Islington Council
Final Evidence Summary 9th Feburary - 25th ... - Islington Council
Final Evidence Summary 9th Feburary - 25th ... - Islington Council
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
eport also highlighted that inequalities in service provision can be hidden and are not always<br />
easy to identify.<br />
6. Health equity audits were conducted to demonstrate the differences between experiences of<br />
different groups and the data from the audits could then be used by primary care teams. The<br />
report stated that although there were improvements across all local PCTs for most disease<br />
indicators, health inequalities are persistent and need to be continually reviewed.<br />
7. Two submissions highlighted the health inequalities experienced by Black and Minority Ethnic<br />
(BME) communities in <strong>Islington</strong>. A report from the Women’s Association for African Networking<br />
and Development (WAND UK) argued the need for targeted support for BME women and<br />
cultural sensitivity on the part of health service providers. The report identified that some of the<br />
key barriers to BME women accessing health services include financial constraints and a lack of<br />
information about what services are available to them.<br />
8. A report from the <strong>Islington</strong> Refugee Forum (IRF) made similar points that a lack of clear<br />
information and a lack of cultural sensitivity can prevent refugees from accessing health<br />
services. The report highlighted further barriers for refugees including language barriers and a<br />
lack of interpreters in health service contexts, and the impact of the trauma and stress of coping<br />
with a new environment and integrating into a new community.<br />
9. Both reports stressed the importance of effective signposting and information and advice<br />
from GPs, as GPs form the gateway to other services. The importance of having interpreters<br />
and information in a range of languages at the GPs was also emphasised.<br />
10. Two submissions argued that health services are not sufficiently tailored to address the<br />
sometimes complex needs of elderly people and those with disabilities. One submission argued<br />
that there is too strong a tendency for a ‘one size fits all’ approach in health and social care<br />
services and that therefore the support and advice provided may be inappropriate. The<br />
example given was that for someone who lives alone and on a low income the weight loss<br />
advice they receive may often be tailored at couples and families, or the ingredients they are<br />
recommended to use may be too expensive.<br />
11. One submission argued similarly that health services are not sufficiently adapted to the<br />
needs of elderly people wishing to live independently in their own homes, and that this failing is<br />
likely to lead to more older people being admitted to hospital.<br />
Health Determinants – Referenced in 4 submissions<br />
“Local authorities can respond to the challenges and expectations placed upon them to<br />
improve as far as possible local environmental conditions...to improve local housing<br />
conditions; to improve workplace safety & promote healthy options and alternatives to the<br />
community.”<br />
12. The quote above is from a submission about the work of the Environmental Health teams<br />
within <strong>Islington</strong> <strong>Council</strong>. The submission elaborates on the work of the team and provides<br />
evidence on how the wider environment and individuals’ living and working conditions are key<br />
determinants for their physical and mental health.