This week, more than 200 partners from health and care organisations and community groups joined forces at the North West London Health Equity Summit.
The annual event, designed to celebrate excellence and accelerate progress, saw a renewed commitment from attendees to work together and take action on reducing health inequalities in neighbourhoods.
A keynote speech from David Walker, Chair of 3ST, highlighted the role of voluntary and community partners in reducing health inequalities, while Professor Kevin Fenton, Regional Director in the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, explored neighbourhood health through the health equity lens.
Throughout the day, delegates attended solutions-focused workshops to discuss approaches to tackling inequalities – from managing long-term conditions, to improving early intervention, prevention, personalised care, and delivering neighbourhood-based screening. Conversations highlighted how the wider social determinants of health —such as housing, poverty, language barriers, digital exclusion and health literacy— can worsen health inequalities and that a whole-system approach is needed.
The summit underlined a commitment to the value of trust and cultural competence in addressing health inequalities so that residents are heard, respected, and supported. Partnership working was identified as crucial for integrated, neighbourhood-level care - breaking down silos between primary care, acute hospital services, community providers, local authorities, voluntary organisations, and communities.
At the heart of these discussions was a focus on the importance of using data-led insight and evidence in order truly meet the health and care needs of people and communities.
The event also celebrated excellence through the Health Equity Awards, recognising outstanding contributions in six categories following a nomination and judging process. The winners are:
- Abdi Ali - Horn of Africa Disability and Elderly Association [HADEA]
- Prafula Shah - Oshwal Association of the UK
- Katerina Manginas and Maryam Shah - Asylum Seekers Ealing Wellbeing Kitchen Project
- Eartha Pond - ESP Foundation
- Westminster Community Health and Wellbeing Workers
- Community Connex Engagement Team.
Nicola Kay, NHS North West London’s Director of Partnerships, Population Health and Reducing Inequalities, said:
“I express my thanks to our organisers, presenters and attendees who made this summit a success. The event showcased some of the very best initiatives throughout North West London, and brought together a wide range of partners from across the system to work collectively to embed a health equity approach in everything we do. The summit will help to ensure that our drive to reduce healthcare inequalities and improve outcomes is a core part of neighbourhood health.”
You can read more about the event on our website.