An ambitious programme encompassing social care and health inequalities is needed

The NHS in England faces unprecedented challenges in 2021. It will require an equally unprecedented, and long term, response from the government to do two things—first to deal with the backlog of both physical and mental healthcare that the pandemic has caused, and second to create a system of health and care that tackles both the health inequalities and the other weaknesses that covid-19 has exposed.

Tackling the ‘digital divide’ is crucial to reduce health inequalities, a three-year project trialling digital technology with disadvantaged communities has found.

Exclusive research shows drop in connectivity is impacting rural and urban areas with populations already underserved by the medical system or racked with poverty