A report by the King’s Fund, commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, has urged the UK government to make addressing poverty a priority alongside reducing NHS waiting lists. The research highlights a clear link between poverty and restricted access to healthcare, leading to a greater reliance on expensive emergency treatments. This situation is further exacerbated by the current cost-of-living crisis and mounting pressures on NHS services.

The report indicates that individuals living in deprived areas are three times more likely to use emergency services, such as A&E, 999 calls, or walk-in centers, due to challenges in accessing GP appointments. It also found that people from these communities experience longer critical care stays in hospitals, underscoring a disparity in healthcare access and outcomes.

Saoirse Mallorie, a senior analyst at the King’s Fund, emphasized that addressing poverty is crucial for improving public health and optimizing NHS resources. The findings suggest that tackling the root causes of poverty could alleviate some of the strains on the NHS by reducing the need for emergency care and addressing health inequalities directly.

The government has highlighted its investments in the NHS and efforts to combat poverty but faces calls for more comprehensive actions to mitigate poverty’s adverse effects on health. The report stresses the importance of collaborative efforts across government, the NHS, and civil society to lift people out of poverty and break the cycle of poor health in deprived communities.

Healthcare leaders and organizations, including the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of GPs, have echoed the need for improved measurement and understanding of health inequalities. There is a growing consensus on the urgency of increased public health investment and support for disadvantaged communities to narrow health gaps and ensure equal access to care.