Inequalities in health must be tackled

19 May 05
NHS organisations must show they are tackling health inequalities or risk receiving a lower performance rating, the Healthcare Commission said this week.

20 May 2005

NHS organisations must show they are tackling health inequalities or risk receiving a lower performance rating, the Healthcare Commission said this week.

As it launched its three-year strategic plan, the commission said efforts to reduce inequalities in access to care and the health of the population would be a major element in its new annual assessment of NHS performance.

Anna Walker, the commission's chief executive, said: 'Large inequalities in health persist and in some cases are widening. We know that the risks of premature death and ill health are clustered around some geographical areas and identifiable groups.'

The death rate among babies of Pakistani-born mothers was almost double the national average, while unskilled manual male workers were three times more likely to die from coronary heart disease than their professional counterparts.

'In the coming year, health care organisations will have to demonstrate to us that working with others, including local government, they have assessed the different needs and inequalities within the local population; and explain how services and resources are deployed to address them,' Walker added.

The commission's new assessment regime will check compliance with equality and human rights legislation, and for the first time gather and publish evidence on the ethnic origin, gender and religion of users of mental health services.

The new assessments, which will replace star ratings, put the onus on health care organisations to meet standards of performance.

The commission will also conduct national reviews – for example, a review on MRSA and infection control in acute trusts will be launched later this year.

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