What resources are available to support patients from disadvantaged backgrounds in accessing healthcare services?

There are multiple resources available to support patients from disadvantaged backgrounds in accessing healthcare services. Care navigation is a key resource, where case workers, practitioners, peers, or designated care navigators help individuals overcome barriers to accessing health and social care services ¹. Outreach services bring healthcare directly to people in locations they frequent, such as streets, temporary accommodation, day centres, workplaces, and community settings, improving access for those who might not engage with mainstream services ¹,².

Low-threshold services are designed to have minimal eligibility criteria and demands, making them more accessible to disadvantaged groups ¹. Multidisciplinary teams and designated homelessness leads within mainstream services provide coordinated support tailored to the needs of vulnerable populations ¹.

To facilitate attendance and engagement, practical support such as help with transport, postal reminders, home visits, and provision of treatment vouchers (e.g., for nicotine replacement therapy) are offered ². Services also provide culturally sensitive education and materials, translation and interpretation facilities, and use community and religious groups to promote healthcare access ².

Flexible and coordinated service delivery models, including drop-in clinics, out-of-hours services, single-sex sessions, and workplace-based support, are encouraged to meet the diverse needs of disadvantaged adults ². Proactive engagement through helplines, brochures, invitations, and postal prompts to healthcare providers helps maintain contact and support adherence to treatment plans ².

Health equity audits are used to monitor whether services effectively reach disadvantaged populations and to guide improvements ². Involving people from disadvantaged groups in service planning and seeking their feedback ensures services are appropriate and accessible ².