Second wave could hit efforts to lessen health inequalities

The second wave of coronavirus could create “barriers” to tackling health inequality in Dundee. A report to go before the Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership (DHSCP) this week states new variants of Covid-19 may put further strain on local healthcare.

This could prevent DHSCP hitting targets set out in its strategic and commissioning plan (SCP).

Issues earmarked for action in SCP 2019-2022 include health inequality, building capacity and community engagement.

The report did not single out which targets could be missed, but saw a high likelihood of this happening and a resultant impact on local health services.

A sizeable number of local healthcare workers focusing on the coronavirus vaccination rollout was cited as a reason.

Dundee has some of the most deprived areas in Scotland, which often see worse health outcomes.

It is thought the pandemic will place “medium/longer term” pressure on the DHSCP and that “by association” these hardships will also fall on to Dundee City Council and NHS Tayside.

“The second wave of Covid-19 and the virulence of the new variants of the virus means that the Covid-19 response still creates barriers to DHSCP achieving actions within the SCP,” the report states.

DHSCP is an integrated joint board between NHS Tayside, Dundee City Council, third-sector partners and independent health and social care providers in the city.

Some functions where there is crossover, such as social care, have had some responsibility delegated to the partnership.

Among DHSCP’S actions are drawing up objectives to improve services, allocating some budget and overseeing the delivery of services in its remit.

The SCP outlined areas for improvement and set targets to achieve this.

Health inequalities, early intervention/prevention, person-centred care and support, carers, localities and engaging with communities, building capacity, models of support/pathways of care, and managing resources effectively are featured.

To lessen health inequalities DHSCP pledged to ensure everyone, “regardless of income, where they live or population group”, will experience “positive health and wellbeing outcomes”. To achieve this, the SCP set out the following “action points”:

Seeking opportunities to bring a range of assessment and treatment services closer to local communities.

Continuing to provide training and support across all sectors to reduce the stigma of poverty

Developing a city-wide approach to social prescribing and enhancing skills of GPS who use social prescribing approaches in their practice.

Developing availability of health checks, including health checks for carers.

Making better use of community resources such as community centres and community pharmacies to promote health and wellbeing, improve accessibility and tailor services to community need.