On 7th November, we held a SafetyNet webinar on Improving Quality and Safety through Inclusive Practice with Professor Ghazala Mir, Professor of Health Equity and Inclusion, University of Leeds.

Watch the recording:

Health inequalities are associated with social exclusion, structural and physical violence and reduced development, which in turn are linked to adverse health and social outcomes, social conflict and even civil unrest.  These issues have clear consequences for personal, community and societal safety. Public services are key institutions through which social inequities are created and maintained, through common drivers of exclusion that affect diverse populations, including the quality of service provision.

This presentation identifies strategies that are known to reduce social exclusion that could potentially work across populations, public service sectors and country contexts. Findings are presented from studies in the UK and seven low- and middle-income countries, focused on women, young people, ethnic and religious minorities, migrants and rural populations. Common themes across these studies include: reducing the invisibility of disadvantaged communities in public service planning and delivery, addressing the neglect, restrictions and discriminatory practices that are linked to poor life chances, illness, physical abuse and death.

Key recommendations include increasing the representation of disadvantaged groups in service staffing and decision-making and the transformation of public service policy and practice to develop inclusive, targeted, collaborative and accountable systems.

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