Public Health Specialist Reveals Health Inequality Rise is Due to Pandemic

Public Health Specialist Reveals Health Inequality Rise is Due to Pandemic

Dr Andrew Furber, Regional Director (North West) at Public Health England, will outline his deepening concerns the pandemic has widened health inequalities across the UK at the Festival of Leadership and Learning organised by Spectrum Community Health CIC.

Furber, who originally trained as a General Practitioner and is now a Public Health specialist with international experience, leads a stellar list of highly respected leaders scheduled to speak on Spectrum’s new ten-event festival programme.

The first event will take place on 14th May, where Dr Furber will use the festival’s platform to reflect on the Marmot Review 10 years on, as well as what the healthcare sector has learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said, “I’m honoured to be opening the first event with Spectrum and the Festival of Leadership and Learning. It’s a fantastic project and the organisation has a strong reputation here in the North West.

“Alongside the Marmot Review, I’ll be discussing how Covid-19 has focused attention on disadvantages and what we can do as a sector to make a difference. Sadly, I think those health inequalities have only widened in the last 12 months. I’m hoping attendees of the session will feel inspired by what we examine – it’s an opportunity for healthcare professionals to network and create innovation.”

Spectrum, which was one of the first health social enterprises to spin out of the NHS, is organising the Festival of Leadership and Learning as part of a series of events celebrating its tenth anniversary. In that ten years, Spectrum has supported an estimated 360,000 patients across its portfolio of community-based services in sexual health, health and justice, and substance misuse in the North of England.

The festival will be delivered through a series of ten virtual learning events, hosted by some of the most innovative minds from the healthcare division. Other speakers already confirmed for additional festival events include registered Medical Practitioner, Professor Dame Clare Gerada, Phil Copple, Director General of Prisons at HMPPS, Dr Eamon O’Moore, National Lead for Health and Justice Public Health England and Professor Joe Rafferty, Chief Executive of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.

Linda Harris, CEO at Spectrum Community Health CIC, said: “As part of our ten-year anniversary and ever-growing ambition to inspire and engage, we want to share specialist knowledge to the wider industry and beyond.

“The Festival of Leadership and Learning is designed to bring together forward-thinking advocates, practitioners of change, policy-makers, and teachers to foster challenging debates. At the heart of it all, there will be an understanding that learning should be inspiring, engaging, and thought-provoking. We’re honoured that people like Dr Andrew Furber, Dame Clare Gerada and Professor Joe Rafferty share our vision and passion.”

Each event is FREE to attend by signing up via the following link: http://spectrumfoll.co.uk/