Health Committee response to Mayor's Health Inequalities Strategy

In a response to the Mayor’s consultation, the Committee calls for the final Health Inequalities Strategy to:

• Specifically highlight the groups whose health needs are currently not being addressed: Deaf people, disabled people, Black Asian and Minority Ethnic groups, transgender people, LGBT+ people, offenders and ex-offenders, refugees and homeless people. The Strategy should also set out how interventions will meet their needs.
• Include a strategic objective around equitable access to health services. A focus on prevention is welcome, but the final Strategy also needs to address hospital and GP access issues, particularly for the most vulnerable.
• Allow for meaningful engagement with communities, that can be properly demonstrated and also supports a clear role for community and voluntary sector organisations in promoting health and wellbeing.
• Make commitments for action on tackling poverty in London, which is key in determining good health.