Background Health inequalities are the avoidable, unfair and systematic differences in health outcomes between different groups of babies, children and young people. We know that over half of the families at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children are disproportionately at risk of or are vulnerable to experiencing avoidable health inequalities.

Our Commitment Great Ormond Street Hospital is committed to reducing health inequalities affecting our patients and families, with the aim of bridging the gap for patients with complex health needs who are impacted by health inequalities.

Strategies in place to tackle health inequalities

• Bi-monthly Health Inequalities Steering Committee meetings

• The formation of five working groups to examine and implement initiatives related to: access, patient experience, outcomes, digital exclusion, and awareness; reporting to the Health Inequalities Steering Committee

• Learning from the findings of the Going Digital Study, which highlighted key health inequalities that may lead to inequities

• The collection and analysis of accurate, up-to-date data to determine the hospital’s current health inequality priorities, for example, ‘Was not brought’ and digital exclusion data, and the development of a health inequalities data dashboard

• Collaboration across clinical services to understand and implement changes to reduce inequities in access, experience and outcomes for defined cohorts of patients/families most at risk of experiencing health inequalities

• Collaboration with Integrated Care Boards, the Children’s Hospital Alliance, partner organisations, and policy makers to address health inequalities, and to implement changes to improve outcomes in population health and healthcare

• Developing awareness, accountability, and insight on the impact of health inequalities as an organisation through the delivery of health inequalities workforce education

• Advocating for change and improvement on a national scale.

Conclusion The impact of health inequalities on families is high on the Trust’s agenda. Through a strategic, collaborative approach, steps are being taken to address these inequalities and resulting inequities.