Health inequalities have been discovered in Derby following COVID-19

During the pandemic, health inequalities in Derby were discovered resulting in the city council partnering with Community Action Derby to form the cities health inequalities partnership. 

The main issue was discovered to be between health planning and communities, with Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority communities at the forefront. 

Formed in 2020, Derby Health inequalities Partnership (DHIP) is made up of community organisations throughout the town who have an interest in improving the health and wellbeing of locals.  

Some of the organisations involved in the campaign include Black Lives Matter, Pakistan Community Centre, West Indian Community Centre, Disability Direct and Community One. 

Dr Robyn Dewis, Director of Public Health for Derby City Council said: ‘This Partnership has already had significant achievements in supporting our covid response.

‘I am excited about its potential to improve joint working between the Council, NHS and local communities to improve health and reduce inequalities.’

The aim of the partnership is to engage and consult local communities to help promote health and wellbeing, which will help influence and shape the local health system.

A consultation to understand people’s experience of health in Derby has already been completed and last week, the Health and Wellbeing Board met to flesh out the role of the service in achieving health and wellbeing priorities for Derby City.

Amjad Ashraf, one of the chairs of DHIP and a representative from Community Action Derby said: ‘Health Inequalities have had a detrimental effect on our Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority Communities for many years which has been further exacerbated by Covid-19.  

‘The DHIP is actively working to address health inequalities identified through our consultation with the view to improve health and wellbeing.’

‘We recognise community buy-in is essential for DHIP to achieve its objectives through true co-design and co-production between statutory partners, services and the community at every key stage, Mr Ashtraf says, ‘A foundation for change has now been set at all levels, this must be built upon.’ 

As well as working to improve health inequalities, Derby City Council has also partnered with Derby Homes and Community Action Derby to create a new webpage for assistance with the cost-of-living crisis.  

Photo by Katy Mackenzie