Final Evidence Summary 9th Feburary - 25th ... - Islington Council

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