Morning, Monday, 17th November 2025
Online
This conference will examine next steps for addressing health inequalities in England, including implications of the 10-Year Health Plan for health system change and equity.
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss the potential impact of key government priorities as part of the Plan, such as shifting services towards community-based care, strengthening preventative approaches, and expanding the use of digital tools. We expect discussion to draw on recent evidence - such as findings from the UKHSA and NICE - on the extent of regional, ethnic, disability-related and socioeconomic disparities in access and outcomes.
With initial rollout of neighbourhood health services in deprived areas having begun, delegates will examine the design of delivery models, progress so far, routes to accountability, and approaches to effective engagement with the voluntary sector and local populations. Strategies to support more active participation by patients in managing their own care will be considered, including addressing disparities in access to health information, understanding of services, and resources needed for self‑management.
We expect discussion on how additional funding might be directed towards community infrastructure and trusted local services, priorities for high‑need areas such as diagnostic hubs and health agents, and innovative resource allocation to better target prevention efforts. Long‑term funding and planning cycles will be examined, looking at how these align with wider social policy including welfare reform, and the case being made for a distinct national strategy on health inequalities.
Further planned sessions will consider the role of NHS structural change, particularly Integrated Care Systems, in supporting joined‑up decision‑making and delivery. Attendees will assess approaches to performance monitoring and use of technology in identifying and addressing disparities, including the development of NICE’s methodology for inequality-sensitive evaluation, and wider concerns around the completeness and bias of data currently being used.
With the agenda currently in the drafting stage, overall areas for discussion include:
- health inequalities strategy:
- assessing measures in 10-Year Health Plan - clarity for stakeholders - key considerations for implementation
- options for focused policy alongside broader NHS reform - role of national targets in narrowing the healthy life expectancy gap
- next steps for the rollout of neighbourhood health services - priorities for delivery, accountability and knowledge-sharing
- funding:
- outcomes from the Spending Review - allocation of the NHS funding uplift towards health equity
- targeting investment on prevention, early intervention, and locally accessible services - reflecting regional and demographic health needs
- accountability:
- responsibilities for tackling health inequalities following changes affecting NHS England - local accountability
- monitoring ICS progress and performance - options for stronger oversight of local strategies and outcomes
- community-based care:
- infrastructure needed to expand services in high-need areas - best practice for diagnostic hubs and community health agents in deprived communities
- provision of support and building trusted relationships with underserved areas
- addressing inequalities in access to resources to understand and manage their conditions
- partnerships:
- improving joint working between NHS bodies, local authorities and the third sector work to address inequality - coordination of health, housing, education and employment support
- fostering community involvement in planning and delivery
- access to services:
- strategic options for tackling longstanding inequalities in rural, coastal, and urban areas - opportunities for digital tools, patient transport and outreach improve access
- learning from best practice on care models that can effectively support marginalised groups
- data and evidence:
- use of innovation, including AI, in data systems to identify and address disparities - growing the effective use of local and national datasets
- latest developments in assessment tools and tackling bias
- long-term planning:
- strategies for building a health system that can support prevention-focused infrastructure into the future
- strengthening place-based capacity in areas with poorer health outcomes - developing a whole-government approach to prevention
