Are we all equal yet? A short story about non-English language health information provision. Joanna Ptolomey: info@joannaptolomey.co.uk Independent librarian and information professional Skills for Scotland: information literacy, libraries and learning. Thursday 19 th March 2009

Joanna Ptolomey: info@joannaptolomey.co.uk

Independent librarian and information professional

Skills for Scotland: information literacy, libraries and learning.

Thursday 19 th March 2009

What’s the story….. People (equity) Place Things (access, quality and availability of health information) Change (patient journey) Money (costs and who pays) Libraries (BFF’s, Ivory Towers, Super Powers, re-inventing the wheel)

People (equity)

Place

Things (access, quality and availability of health information)

Change (patient journey)

Money (costs and who pays)

Libraries (BFF’s, Ivory Towers, Super Powers, re-inventing the wheel)

Remind me again…..what is the story? Last 6-7 years This is where we were This is the journey we went on This is what we found out This is where we want to be This is where it is going

A not so long time ago…..health inequalities. Black (1990) and Acheson (1998) Causal links that poverty, housing, unemployment root causes of ill health We all have the same (but different) health needs

Black (1990) and Acheson (1998)

Causal links that poverty, housing, unemployment root causes of ill health

We all have the same (but different) health needs

The dark side…..dimensions to inequalities in health Geography Ethnicity Disability Age Gender Sexuality Socioeconomic status

The 3 wraths of inequality 1 Social economic environment E.g. jobs, housing, education and mobility 2 Lifestyle/health behaviour E.g. Diet, smoking, social networks 3 Access to effective health/social care E.g. Results in health benefits

1 Social economic environment

E.g. jobs, housing, education and mobility

2 Lifestyle/health behaviour

E.g. Diet, smoking, social networks

3 Access to effective health/social care

E.g. Results in health benefits

Social models for health service delivery At the heart of health service delivery models Take account of the different dimensions of inequalities in health Ethnicity and language needs is one dimension

At the heart of health service delivery models

Take account of the different dimensions of inequalities in health

Ethnicity and language needs is one dimension

Blah blah blah….health speak. We already use a different language in health We measure grades of health information in a specific fashion Evidence based health information is done in a very systematic method It can be difficult for non-health people to understand what we are talking about Imagine now English is not your first language: examples

We already use a different language in health

We measure grades of health information in a specific fashion

Evidence based health information is done in a very systematic method

It can be difficult for non-health people to understand what we are talking about

Imagine now English is not your first language: examples

Not so long ago in a health board not so far away….. Good guys wondering how to support their strategy and language implementation plans, in line with national health directives and targets. Oh and not spend too much money. The force was not with them….

Good guys wondering how to support their strategy and language implementation plans, in line with national health directives and targets. Oh and not spend too much money.

The force was not with them….

A new hope…… Evidence of what was going on Migration patterns and required language support Identifying key health topics in support of plan Audit of how non English language is supported and what resources are available Audit who is producing resources locally, nationally and internationally Look out for examples of good practice and models of delivery Develop some tools yourself

Evidence of what was going on

Migration patterns and required language support

Identifying key health topics in support of plan

Audit of how non English language is supported and what resources are available

Audit who is producing resources locally, nationally and internationally

Look out for examples of good practice and models of delivery

Develop some tools yourself

Report from the away missions…… Too costly for health boards to do themselves: needs to national focus Support for acute setting and health improvement is patchy Resources are available: questions over content, quality and appropriateness Libraries and librarian input is patchy at best

Too costly for health boards to do themselves: needs to national focus

Support for acute setting and health improvement is patchy

Resources are available: questions over content, quality and appropriateness

Libraries and librarian input is patchy at best

How does the story end…..happy, sad, tears, big kiss? Health in my language: single portal for translated health information for Scotland Gathering of resources and harmonisation of procedures for the future development of health information resources [email_address]

Health in my language: single portal for translated health information for Scotland

Gathering of resources and harmonisation of procedures for the future development of health information resources

[email_address]