Breaking Down Barriers is a network of 30 organisations working together to improve the lives of people from marginalised communities including those from BAME backgrounds, so they have equal access to health services. Addressing health inequalities is at the centre of what we do: finding ways that health services can be shaped to become inclusive and accessible, and working with families to encourage and support them to access those services. The Breaking Down Barriers network of organisations, working at a grass roots level, is sharing good practice and exploring new ideas to help educate, empower, and provide an evidence base to promote equity of access to mainstream health services.
The Covid 19 crisis has now starkly highlighted health inequalities in the UK and these are also one of the focuses of the Black Lives Matter movement. The Breaking Down Barriers network is well placed and committed to contribute our expertise and support to those who are addressing the same challenges and with whom we share a mission.
Health inequalities are not inevitable and can be significantly reduced… avoidable health inequalities are unfair and putting them right is a matter of social justice.’
(The Health Foundation, 2020, (online) https://www.health.org.uk/publications/reports/the-marmot-review-10-years-on, accessed on 10.06.20)
Coronavirus Guidance
This is the advice from NHS England and the links to the latest information.
Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:
- Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Bin the tissue and wash your hands or use a sanitiser gel.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport.
- Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are unwell
Further Information
You can find out more about the Government’s response on their website www.gov.uk/coronavirus
You can click on the link to find Public Health England’s advice for protecting those in vulnerable groups, such as Rare Diseases:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
You can find information and advice from Public Health England at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
NHS Guidance can be found by following the link to the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Guidance can be found via this link, in Urdu
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874301/Stay_at_home_guidance_for_households_with_possible_coronavirus__COVID-19__Urdu_UR.pdf
An easy-read guide can be downloaded HERE
The South Asian Health Foundation have also brought together a number of resources and links in South Asian languages to follow for advice during the Coronavirus pandemic.
https://www.sahf.org.uk/covid19
Developing supportive and inclusive services
for individuals and families
affected by genetic conditions
Listen to Kerry in this short video, about the Breaking Down Barriers project, where it started and the ways organisations are working together to improve access to services for all affected by genetic conditions.