CQC publishes health inequalities framework
12 February 2025
New framework, developed with the Point of Care Foundation and National Voices, addresses health inequalities through engagement with people and communities
The Care Quality Commission, in partnership with the Point of Care Foundation and National Voices, and supported by the Regulators Pioneer Fund, has today published a self-assessment and improvement framework for integrated care systems to address health inequalities through engagement with people and communities.
The aim of the framework is to support ICSs to have honest conversations, gather insights and develop practical actions to improve how they tackle health inequalities through engagement linked to people and community strategies.
Why we developed the framework
The framework was developed to provide a voluntary, supportive and flexible tool to help ICSs work more effectively with people and communities, focusing on those who experience the greatest health inequalities. By offering a structured approach, the framework aims to empower ICSs to improve health outcomes and create fairer, more inclusive systems of care.
Co-design and testing
The framework is the result of extensive co-design, involving input from public health practitioners, ICS leaders, engagement experts, voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, and people with lived experience. Following its initial development, four ICS pilot sites undertook testing to ensure that ICSs can apply the framework in a practical and meaningful way. This collaborative process shaped the framework into a comprehensive resource that supports systems in reflecting, learning, and planning tangible actions to address inequalities through seven phases:
- Check
- Challenge
- Prepare
- Plan
- Engage
- Involve
- Evaluate
Access the framework and supporting resources at the CQC website.
Chris Day, Director of Engagement at CQC, said:
“Health inequalities continue to affect access to care, experiences of care, and outcomes for people and communities.
“This framework is the result of many months work with our partners National Voices and the Point of Care Foundation to provide support for ICSs, who play a vital role in addressing these challenges. From start to finish, the development of this framework has been collaborative, underpinned by the voices of people with lived experience as well as feedback from stakeholders and the 4 ICSs that participated in the testing phase.
“I look forward to hearing how ICS have implemented this framework in the coming months and how it supports them to measure and demonstrate improved outcomes for health inequalities within their systems and services”
Sarah Massie, Programmes Director at the Point of Care Foundation, said:
“We are delighted to share this framework and hope it will help develop truly inclusive and compassionate services. By empowering integrated care systems to work closely with people in their communities, it is paving the way for more equitable, impactful, and inclusive health and care services.
“A massive thank you to everyone involved in the framework’s co-production, and to the Regulators Pioneer Fund for their investment.”
Jacob Lant, Chief Executive of National Voices, said:
“We are delighted to see the health inequalities framework, developed with CQC and the Point of Care Foundation launch today.
“The publication of this important work could not be more timely, with the 10-Year Plan underway, ICSs will have a major role to play in addressing inequity in access, patient experience and outcomes to help build an NHS fit for the future.
“This project has demonstrated what meaningful co-production looks like, with people, the voluntary sector and ICSs, and as a result we have produced a tool that works well for anyone who picks it up. We are very proud of this end result, and look forward to seeing its implementation and the impact it will make in tackling health inequalities and in improving people’s experiences and outcomes of care. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was involved, and the Regulators Pioneer Fund for their investment.”
Regulators’ Pioneer Fund (RPF)
The Regulators ‘ Pioneer Fund (RPF) is a grant-based fund to enable UK regulators and local authorities to help create a regulatory environment that encourages business innovation and investment. The current £12m round is being delivered by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the development of the framework. We welcome your feedback through our dedicated mailbox: icshealthinequalities@cqc.org.uk
Find out more about the launch of the self-assessment and improvement framework at the CQC website.