A study aimed at tackling health inequalities in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) has been shortlisted for one of the health sector’s most prestigious awards.
The Denny Review, sanctioned by the BLMK Integrated Care Board (ICB) aimed to identify the people who experienced the greatest health inequalities and began as a research project in 2020.
The study became more important as it became clear Covid-19 was having a disproportionate effect on ethnic minorities.
The review has been nominated in the ‘Innovation and Improvement in Reducing Healthcare Inequalities’ category in the Health Service Journal’s annual awards.
Investing in interpreters
The Denny Review was published in September 2023 and began after local residents called on the NHS to reduce inequalities in healthcare with the paper making recommendations on how to improve access and experience of health services.
Other initiatives kickstarted by the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board include funding a series of videos for autistic people while they say they have invested in efforts to improve interpretation services.
This includes investing in interpreters for British Sign Language (BSL).
Felicity Cox, Chief Executive Officer of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said: “I am delighted to see the Denny Review shortlisted in the prestigious HSJ Awards programme.
“This was a true partnership project spanning several years which identified the key issues amongst those who experience the greatest health inequalities.
“Those include people from ethnic minority backgrounds; LGBT+ people; Gypsies, Travellers and Roma people; people with physical and/or learning disabilities; and homeless people.
“The review outlined that communication and language, access to services and a lack of understanding of the needs of some people and communities all contribute to poor health outcomes for some of the most vulnerable people in our area.”
Shortlisted entries progress on to the next stage that includes a presentation along with a Q&A from a judging panel before the winners are announced at a ceremony in London on 21st November.
