Dr Mark Spencer, co-chair Health Creation Alliance, says: “While we welcome anything that throws a spotlight on health inequalities, we would argue that York University’s findings do not adequately address the complex issues behind the increased number of people from deprived areas admitted to hospital.
It’s not about worse treatment by GPs, it’s about the significant and complex health needs of those communities including a higher prevalence of long term conditions, and combined physical and mental health issues. Areas of high deprivation require more resources to achieve the same outcome as others – yet the reverse is happening.
There is serious under resourcing of primary care in these areas, and significant recruitment and retention issues across primary care professionals. The current funding formulas that prioritise elderly care mean areas of high deprivation and lower life expectancy are receiving proportionally less despite a crucial need for more.
We urgently need to review primary care funding in areas of high deprivation if we are going to tackle health inequalities and reduce the number of hospital admissions from people from areas of high deprivation.”
Notes to Editors
For more information please contact Sophie Lap at sophie.lap@salixandco.com
Health Creation Alliance is a movement of people and organisations who are committed to building a sustainable, community-based health service. They are an entirely solutions focused organisation, unique in its approach bringing together more than 10,000 passionate individuals and organisations across primary care who believe innovation, connections and integration are key to the sustainability of a health service that remains free to all at the point of need. Health Creation Alliance promote greater collaboration between organisations within the NHS and between the NHS, communities, local authorities, innovative enterprises and other local enablers of prevention and health creation.
Best wishes
