HEALTH INEQUALITIES

Mental Health Inequalities

To achieve impact, the following actions should be encompassed in the EDI strategy for 2022, with NHS England highlighting the need for changes in primary care services:

Develop a format to provide comprehensive information on all NHS/Public Health mental health services in the 32 London Boroughs and the City of London. Make this information available in all GP surgeries, libraries, and to the voluntary sector, both online and in hard copy.
Support mental health inclusive services in all key languages and ensure easy access, both online and in hard copy. These resources should be made available at GP surgeries, libraries, family services, and voluntary sector services.
Provide training for medical professionals, nurses, councils, and the voluntary sector working with the BAME community to raise awareness of cultural barriers. Develop support systems to alleviate difficulties arising from these barriers, and emphasize the importance of awareness through embodying and embedding best practices.
Launch an awareness campaign across London to increase understanding of the various levels of mental health. Collaborate with existing organisations such as MIND and the Mental Health Foundation to ensure communication methods are accessible to BAME communities.
Ensure that all services are accessible in different languages and communication formats.

Regarding PHYSICAL HEALTH INEQUALITIES:

Make primary health care accessible to all. Work closely with NHS England to develop practices enabling those who are digitally excluded to access primary care treatment. Pause the complete transition to digitized appointment booking and prescription requests. Provide advocacy services to ensure those facing language or cultural barriers can access treatment.
Ensure all services are accessible in different languages and communication formats.

Concerning HOUSING INEQUALITIES:

Include housing improvements in the London Mayor’s EDI Strategy.
Guarantee BAME communities fair opportunities to access good quality housing facilities at affordable rates.
Establish a support system that allows BAME communities the right to choice without fear of discrimination.
Develop a range of accessible schemes to provide the BAME community with advice and information, including information advocacy to ensure access to entitlements.
Improve living conditions in deprived areas of London by collaborating with BAME communities and local authorities.
Ensure all services are accessible in different languages and communication formats.

The London Mayor’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group

With great pleasure, I am writing to invite the Greater London Forum for Older People to join the Mayor’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Advisory Group. The EDI Advisory Group is a consultative and strategic guidance body that helps shape and guide the delivery of the Mayor’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and plays a key role in helping to ensure London’s Recovery Programme is working to address the structural inequalities that drove the uneven effects of the pandemic.

I chair the Advisory Group on behalf of the Mayor and the group has members representing perspectives from all equalities groups, as well as a focus on poverty. As you know, the London’s Recovery Programme is co-led between the GLA and the boroughs. I would very much appreciate the voice of older Londoners in the boroughs that your organisation can bring to the work of the Advisory Group. Hearing intersectional voices is also very

Debbie Weekes-Bernard

London Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice.

important to the Advisory Group. I would therefore especially welcome participation from a member of GLF’s Black, Asian and minority ethnic group. Having your organisation help us drive work for a fairer city through the Advisory Group would be greatly welcomed and will provide the group with important insights and expertise.

All good wishes,

Debbie Weekes-Bernard

London Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice.