answer text |
<p>The <em>NHS Five Year Forward View</em> (2014) sets out the ambition to improve
the nation’s health and reduce inequalities, including among the most vulnerable groups.
Through the inequality duties introduced through the 2012 Health and Social Care Act,
local areas must have regard to inequalities in access to, and the outcomes from,
National Health Service services in developing their plans. Clinical commissioning
groups (CCGs), health and wellbeing boards and the rest of the local health system
work together to undertake joint strategic needs assessments of local health needs
and develop strategic plans, working with key stakeholders to deliver outcomes and
reduce health inequalities. <strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>All CCGs are provided
with local and national data from Public Health England and NHS England to support
the planning and commissioning process. These tools help to identify differences in
access to services and health outcomes across the local population, including among
vulnerable groups. For example, on-line resources available to local areas include
Commissioning for Value Packs, the NHS Atlas of Variation in Healthcare, and the Marmot
indicator local authority profiles.</p><p> </p><p>Guidance on addressing the health
needs of vulnerable groups including Gypsies and Travellers was developed under the
DH-sponsored inclusion health programme. It included <em>Inclusion of Gypsy Traveller
health needs in Joint Strategic Needs Assessments: A review</em>, a report compiled
by Friends, Families and Travellers (2015), <em>Standards for commissioners and service
providers</em>, by the Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health (2013) and <em>Improving
access to health care for Gypsies and Travellers, homeless people and sex workers</em>,
by Royal College of General Practitioners (2013). Copies of these documents are attached.
NHS England published guidance for the service on the rights of vulnerable groups
in registering with GPs to reduce the risk of exacerbating health inequalities for
vulnerable groups, <em>Patient Registration: Standard Operating Principles for Primary
Medical Care (General Practice)</em>, NHS England, 2015. A copy has been placed in
the library.</p><p> </p>
|
|