Keywords: Prevention, communities, health inequity

Aim:

In Sutton (South West London, UK), we have a population of over 230000 residents and 4 areas with index of deprivation of 1 (highest in the country).
Over the last 3 years primary care has worked alongside community development workers (CDW), community organizations, public health and council to better support these communities and improve health outcomes in the long term.
The “talking health” project consists of regular group sessions in a community setting.
The project aims:
1. To provide education, self-care and preventative care to vulnerable communities in a culturally sensitive way.
2. To increase community connection and empowerment.
3. To build trust with medical professionals, reduce misinformation about health and connect residents with local resources.
4. To improve clinicians’ knowledge about the communities they serve and professional satisfaction.

Method:

A mixed methodology of quantitative and qualitative analysis of data. This was gathered by evaluation forms completed after each session.

Results:

We have delivered 4 talks on menopause, 2 talks on arthritis. The sessions were suggested by communities and delivered by a General practitioner. We received 41 evaluation forms.
After the session, 87% residents rated their knowledge as being “very good” or “Excellent”, 92% reported the group session had made them feel connected to others and 100% rated the speaker as “excellent” or “very good”.
Integrated working between primary care and community roles has supported the delivery of the session in a community sensitive way.
All the professionals involved considered this to be a positive experience.

Conclusions:

This initiative is well received by vulnerable communities and has shown a positive impact in attendee’s knowledge about a health topic. Attendees felt connected and positive about the clinician.
Integrated working could support community centered approaches in prevention.
Further research is needed to understand the impact of the sessions on patient’s management of their own health.