health inequality

In this episode, we dive into the effect of health disparities in the management of pain and treatment of substance use disorders.

Dr. Don Stader, MD, and Dr. Rachael Duncan, PharmD, sit down to introduce the basic concept of health equity, social determinants of health, and how they can contribute to health disparities.

“Often, the legacy of a leader is talked about in terms of their achievements. However, in public services, the job is never done.

“You constantly strive towards your goal for a better service, a better life or a better experience for people who you serve. You can only do that effectively if you drive a culture where others can develop to the best of their potential.”

That was the view of Rajesh Nadkarni, Executive Medical Director at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust, as he discussed with host Matt Roberts the advice he would offer fellow leaders having undertaken the NLC Accelerate Programme.

Joined by Tosca Fairchild, Delivery Director for Equality & Health Inequalities and Intensive Support for the East of England at NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE/I), it was clear despite such different journeys to their current positions, there was a consensus of desire to improve their skills not only for their own benefits, but the benefits of their colleagues, organisations, and service users equally too.

That dictates a strong, conscientious public service leader and is one of the end targets of the NLC Accelerate Programme, which has striven to provide the skills and environment necessary to encourage and develop these skills within their cohort.

With the NLC Accelerate Programme now open to new applicants for the 2021/22 cohort, both Rajesh,Tosca and the other participants of this four-part miniseries strongly recommended that leaders consider the benefits the NLC could offer.

Tosca explained: “The network that we’ve created, through being part of the programme, is going to be in my view invaluable for all 20 of us on this programme.

“As we go forward, we have been introduced to people that we would not ordinarily have come across, we will have action learning sets and people to call upon when, as leaders, things get tough and you need to run something past someone.

“We now have a network of people that I know with confidence, I can pick up the phone and say ‘Rajesh, I’ve got this in mind, can I have a conversation with you to help me?’ [and they’ll support me with that].”

The NLC Accelerate Programme brings together 20 high-performing ethnic minority leaders from across public services, who are currently working at Deputy CEO level and aiming to become CEO-level leaders within their respective fields.

Applications for the new 2021/22 cohort of the NLC Accelerate are open until September 24, 2021. Those keen to take part in this year’s course can register their interest here.

After the tragic death of George Floyd, frustration about inequality and injustice is boiling over in communities across the country. The heat-of-the moment concern about police violence has sparked a needed conversation about racial injustice. On this episode of Radio Advisory, Rae sits down with inclusion leader and head of workforce research Micha’le Simmons and health equity researcher Darby Sullivan. Together, they discuss the impact that racism and police violence has on health equity—and the vital role that health care leaders play in combating structural racism.

More resources:

For the organizational leadership:

• Addressing racism: Resources for health care leaders | Advisory Board
• U.S. businesses must take meaningful action against racism | Harvard Business Review
• 3 steps hospital leaders can take to mitigate the racial impact of Covid-19 | Advisory Board
• Police brutality must stop | American Medical Association

Education about institutional/structural racism:

• 1619 | The New York Times
• A people’s history of the United States | Howard Zinn (book)

The criminal justice system:

• Police: sixth-leading cause of death for young black men | University of Michigan
• The New Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness | Michelle Alexander
• 13th | Ava DuVernay (documentary)

Health care and medical racism:

• How we fail black patients in pain | AAMC
• Black mothers keep dying after giving Birth. Shalon Irving's story explains why | NPR