Table 4 Challenges and recommendations / future direction for health equity activities within Health Protection Teams’ remit
From: The role of health protection teams in reducing health inequities: findings from a qualitative study
Challenges | Recommendations and future direction |
|---|---|
Following transition, HPTs are not yet clear on UKHSA and HPTs’ health equity remit; and future ways of working between key organisations | National strategy, with a focus on local implementation, covering: remit, expectations, workforce, impact indicators Cross-governmental / sector commitment, with senior leadership buy-in, could strengthen implementation |
Thought on priority groups were generally subjective, based on what had been coming across the acute response desk, rather than any systematic analysis | Take a population focus on the most marginalised / underserved groups |
HPTs already work to address health inequities, but it is not recognised or considered in guidelines, ways of working, job role etc. | Embed health equity in all that HPTs do e.g., SOPs, guidance, audit, clinical reviews, outbreak report, risk assessments, job roles, commissioning contracts |
Lack of evidence about effective interventions | Embed evaluation into project plans Share good practice through appropriate networks |
Data systems, data collection and access to data on key marginalised and underserved populations is a challenge. | Identify what population data is needed and advocate for these to be part of routine data collection. This could also include prompts for HPTs, and automated flagging processes with relevant teams, if certain criteria are ticked |
HPT staff split their time between reacting to health protection incidents (e.g., COVID as the main priority at the time) and pro-active work (e.g., programmes aimed at reducing risk from external hazards for vulnerable populations, including migrant health, TB, STIs, early years and schools, health and justice). This is also linked with having the time and capacity to focus. | Health Equity Champions within each region with protected time |
Mixed awareness / knowledge of health equity in the professionally diverse UKHSA workforce. | Skills audit of current staff Health equity training for HPTs to improve knowledge and provide specific skills relating to evidence-based approaches to health equity Clear and frequent comms, for the public and healthcare professionals |