All light brings shade. My list of ‘changes that have been all upside and no downside’ is short and debatable. It extends to anaesthetic dentistry, clean air, and clean water.

Maybe there are more.

But rather than trying to add to this list, what I'd like to do is to employ the founding insight: to look for the downsides that come with any innovation, however positive seeming. Plenty of people want others to see the light; I want them to recognise the shade.

I’ll do that here using the example of data to inform decision making.

The Strategy Unit brings you the first National Health and Care Analytics (HACA) conference 2023.

Now with the World Menopause Day 2022 update.
What is it like to experience menopause as an NHS employee? And what is its impact on both the individuals and the organisations they work for?

Are there inequalities in access to planned care? If so, what are they? Which groups ‘gain’ and which groups suffer? And what could be done to address any inequalities? In pursuing their objective of reducing inequalities, what could Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) do? What strategies and approaches are likely to be successful?

As the NHS emerged out of the pandemic, it was confronted with the challenge of not only recovery of unprecedented waiting lists, but with inequalities which required attention. NHS leaders challenged providers to restore inclusively and at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, we have developed a way of doing just that, whilst simultaneously reducing waiting times for all.

The Midlands Decision Support Network in association with The Strategy Unit are hosting INSIGHT 2022 our annual festival of learning and sharing events for the NHS, local government and other partners across health and care.

UPDATE 10th August: Now including briefing note for Integrated Care Boards on legal duties in respect of reducing inequalities.
This report guides ICBs through the process.