National Voices Daily Insight: How should the NHS respond to the cost of living crisis?

Today’s Daily Insight is guest written by Keymn Whervin, co-production manager at National Voices as part of a National Voices “takeover” of HSJ. Find out more here.

The cost of living crisis is having a devastating impact across the country as a whole, especially on those with long-term conditions who access health and care services on a daily basis in order to live well.

One of the pieces published as part of National Voices’ “takeover” today was, “How should the NHS respond to the cost of living crisis?”.

This piece was written following a discussion between Morgan Vine, head of policy and influencing at Independent Age, Fiona Loud, policy director at Kidney Care UK, Amit Sandachev, speaking from lived experience of using home dialysis, and Nick Hulme, CEO of ESNEFT.

The report we published earlier this year, Behind the Headlines: the unequal impact of the cost of living crisis, also explored this topic. Poverty and health are closely linked. People in poverty are more likely to be living in poor health, and the opposite is also true – lack of support for people living with ill health and disability can make people poor.

On Monday, Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, wrote that supporting carers is not just about patients but also about recognising the caring roles of your own staff outside work and in work.

Unpaid carers are another group who are finding themselves in the terrible position of having to choose between food or heating, all while having to provide additional care and support for an NHS which is on its knees. More than ever, carers are feeling the pressure to pick up the pieces whilst not receiving the support they need for their own physical and mental state.

As yesterday was World Menopause Day, it’s worth recognising the impact of menopause on many women who hold caring roles, particularly those from Black and Asian backgrounds.

Now more than ever, it is crucial to listen to people with lived experience and ensure they are part of the solution and are supported to make a difference.

Later this week, HSJ will be publishing a piece from Rachel Matthews and I on the importance of including Lived Experience in our work at National Voices.

The NHS needs to better partner up and share power with those living with ill health; we are the experts in managing our own care.