Blogs

Our blogs highlight the voices of people working across the health and social care sector, talking about a range of timely issues.

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- 3 May 2023
The whole system must Act FAST to get stroke patients the care they need
Emily Heard
Quick access to stroke care makes all the difference to someone’s recovery – time is brain. Thrombectomy is a game-changing treatment for stroke, where a clot is physically removed from the brain. It saves brains, saves money and changes lives. But if a stroke is left too long, people can miss the window treatment entirely. Without addressing gaps in the stroke workforce – we won’t see access to stroke care speeding up.
- Communication and administration
- 26 April 2023
Another waiting game? National Voices’ reflections on the Hewitt Review
Kate Jopling
Earlier this month the final report of the Hewitt Review of Integrated Care Systems was published. The report attracted significant attention (and lengthy twitter threads) from health system leaders, but for people who live with long term conditions it can be difficult to draw a line between high-level conversations about health system governance and their day-to-day experience of using health and care services.
- Integrated care
- Lived experience
- Person-centred care
- Health inequalities
- 19 April 2023
How the Government must prioritise endometriosis care for the 1.5 million
Faye Farthing
There’s no denying that endometriosis care desperately needs to improve. With 1.5million women and those assigned female at birth living with endometriosis in the UK, it’s time for the Government to take bold and urgent action to support those with the disease.
- Health inequalities
- 13 April 2023
Can’t Wait: How local campaigning delivers for Parkinson’s
Grace Ogden
Parkinson’s UK work across the country to support their community. Locally we’ve been responding to pressures on health and social care services by trying to protect services and making sure that we’re not accepting bare minimum or inadequate care. We’re campaigning for better workforce data and an NHS plan that delivers the best we can get.
- Integrated care
- Health inequalities
- Communication and administration
- 29 March 2023
Treated as a person, rather than a diagnosis: the importance of personalised care and strategic co-production.
Richard Falvey
To mark World Bipolar Day, I reflect on how my lived experience of a bipolar diagnosis has shaped my work as an NHS Peer Leader, a National Voices Lived Experience Partner, and a My Life Choices member, and I emphasise the importance of personalised care and strategic co-production.
- Lived experience
- Person-centred care
- 21 March 2023
I just want to be me: Trans and gender diverse communities access to and experiences of palliative and end of life care
Olivia Warnes
The new report by Hospice UK, I just want to be me, shares trans and gender diverse people’s experiences and perspectives on their palliative and end of life care and identifies ways it can be made more inclusive.
- Health inequalities
- 16 March 2023
BSL first approach: Accessible health information is essential in tackling health inequalities for deaf people
Zohra Khan
In recognition of Sign Language Week, set up to commemorate the first time British Sign Language was acknowledged as a language on 18 March 2003, SignHealth highlights the importance of why we need to do more to achieve health equity for deaf people on its 20th anniversary.
- Health inequalities
- Communication and administration
- Lived experience
- 9 March 2023
Why is dementia different for women?
Dr Iain Hartnell
More women are affected by dementia than men. Worldwide, women with dementia outnumber men 2 to 1. Here we discuss the science behind why this might be.
- Person-centred care
- Health inequalities
- 8 March 2023
Now, more than ever, we must uphold human rights in maternity care
Francesca Treadway
Birthrights champions respectful care during pregnancy and childbirth by protecting human rights. International Women’s Day 2023 falls on Birthrights’ 10th anniversary. Ten years ago, our founders were determined to address the lack of awareness of women and birthing people’s rights through pregnancy and childbirth.
- Health inequalities
- Person-centred care
- 7 March 2023
How The Nest Southwest CIC support their community through the major life transitions
Hazel Acland
Hazel Acland, Founder and Co-Director of The Nest Southwest CIC, explores why International Women’s Day is important for their community. She highlights the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women whilst equally acknowledging the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the many challenges that women still face, discussing steps The Nest are taking to overcome stigma and shame surrounding menstruation.
- Lived experience