PHE Knowledge & Library Services Evidence Briefing October 2018
- This briefing summarises the evidence on the interventions, models and approaches to reduce inequalities in access to health and social care services (HSC), from January 2010 - September 2018.
- Key messages
- Collaborations are the key to successfully tackling inequalities in HSC access.
- People’s needs are better met when they are involved in a reciprocal and collaborative relationship with professionals and when services are co-produced.
- The effectiveness of interventions aimed at increasing access to HSC services for target groups is dependent on the cultural competence of health and social care professionals.
- Translation and interpreting services are an effective intervention for overcoming language barriers that prevent access.
- Outreach involving the delivery of services outside healthcare settings can be effective in increasing rates of healthcare use.
- Doula services are associated with positive health outcomes for childbearing women but women can suffer from loss when their relationship with their doula ends and this can compromise service impact.
- Complex and inconsistent systems of service provision can further disadvantage target groups.
- HSC commissioning has a key role to play in reducing inequalities in access.
- Telehealth can achieve longer term cost savings as a result of reduced travel time and efficient delivery of healthcare.
- Technology can be used to address the social determinants of health as well as to deliver healthcare, train HSC professionals and inform patients and service users.
