Helping the British Red Cross uncover the impact of health inequalities in the hospital discharge process
Reducing health inequalities in the UK is one of the health system’s core strategic goals, a topic that has been growing in profile in recent years; the Covid-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated this further, with case and mortality rates higher for people from more deprived areas or from Black or Asian ethnic backgrounds. The British Red Cross set out to address overlooked health inequalities specifically in the hospital discharge pathway. The project aimed to recognise the presence of health inequalities in hospital discharge, where they were not being addressed and propose practical solutions for a more equitable discharge process.
Approach
Using insights gathered by the British Red Cross, Qa designed and led three online workshops with professionals working in the hospital discharge process. An initial scoping workshop with NHS England Regional Discharge Leads refined our questions, paving the way for insightful discussions on the impact health inequalities on access to hospital discharge services, and potential solutions to the issue.
Outcome
Our research uncovered gaps in awareness about, and support for, health inequalities in the hospital discharge process, for example health professionals not having time available for high-quality conversations about discharge, as well as patchy availability of advocacy and support organisations. These insights allowed the British Red Cross to address an existing knowledge deficit regarding the crucial issue of health inequalities, which was subsequently shared with the Department for Health and Social Care. The final report was well received by NHS England and will inform the ongoing work being carried out by the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Health and Wellbeing Alliance to share expertise with the aim of improving services for all communities.
For more information contact:
Georgina Culliford Research Manager
georgina.culliford@qaresearch.co.uk
01904 632039
Photography: Jsme MILA on Pexels
