We care if we aren’t being fair, says trust
A tool that can identify and tackle inequity in NHS care is being put into practice for the first time in the UK.
The Equity Index ensures the quality of care the hospital trust offers is consistent regardless of factors, such as gender, ethnicity, disability and social and economic circumstances.
Its first practical application is looking at how it can reduce the number of ‘Do Not Attends (DNAs)' where patients fail to turn up for appointments.
The problem costs the wider NHS more than £600 million a year but LNWH is starting on a more modest scale focusing on DNAs for eye appointments in a specific area of Brent.
Dr Piers Milner, who helped developed the equity index, said: “The index helps us identify potential areas of improvement but that, in turn, is guided by how much of a positive impact we can make and how much influence we must change something for the better.
“DNAs are an ongoing problem for GP practices and hospitals, and we have been working with our local integrated care board and primary care network to address this.”
A call centre staffed by volunteers from Brent Carers Centre now rings patients a week before their appointment to remind them and help negate any reasons why they might not attend.
James Biggin Lamming, Director of Strategy and Transformation, added: “Common issues including how long people waited to get an appointment, work commitments, and travel time and costs.
"We also found that a disproportionately large number of young people were DNAs.
“It’s all about how we can make practical changes that help people receive better care and allow the NHS to work more effectively.”