IMPROVING FUTURE HEALTH OUTCOMES: THE IMPACT OF THE HEALTH JUSTICE PARTNERSHIP ON TACKLING INEQUALITIES IN COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE

Summary 

The Health Justice Partnership (HJP) is part of one of Coventry &  Warwickshire’s  Healthcare Inequalities Innovation Projects, to demonstrate proof of concept in working differently to tackle inequalities. Halfway through the two-year programme, we are already seeing huge impacts on some of the most vulnerable people in deprived areas of Coventry through the work undertaken in the Health Justice Partnership (HJP) between Central England Law Centre (CELC) and Navigation and Skyward PCNs. The Coventry & Warwickshire ICB finance team have been instrumental in assessing and agreeing the funding for the programme, managing the health inequalities budget and being actively involved in the monitoring and evaluation process of the innovation projects.

Why was change needed? 

The Health Justice Partnership (HJP) was established to address the complex needs, digital exclusion, and health disparities affecting residents in Coventry & Warwickshire with a particular focus on the Core20PLUS5 priority areas - regions that are among the 20% most deprived in the country. In Coventry alone, 26% of the population resides in Core20 areas, with a growing number of refugees and asylum seekers, many facing significant socio-economic challenges like housing, debt, and employment issues. These problems, often outside the scope of healthcare, can negatively impact on an individuals’ overall health and wellbeing.

Currently, health professionals spend 19% of their time addressing non-health issues like relationship breakdowns and housing problems. This not only takes away attention from patient care but also contributes to longer health and care waiting times. The HJP aims to reduce this burden by creating clear pathways for healthcare professionals to refer patients to specialist support services. By connecting individuals with the right resources, whether it’s securing benefits, navigating workplace disputes, or preventing eviction. This helps patients achieve greater stability, ultimately improving their health outcomes.

What did we do? 

The project is still in the midst of its two-year programme, but early outcomes are already demonstrating its positive impact. Key results include:

• Homelessness was ended or prevented for 23 patients in 11 households
• 6 patients were supported to gain limited work-related capacity status, saving approximately 48 GP appointments annually.
• 37% of patients reported fewer visits to their GP since receiving support from the HJP.
• 73% of patients said they had not needed to return to their GP regarding social welfare issues.
• 94.7% of patients reported a positive impact on their physical or mental health due to the HJP intervention.
• The total predicted income gain for Coventry residents stands at £1,014,000 annually.

Client feedback further supports the value of the HJP, with comments highlighting improved mental health, reduced stress, and better overall well-being. As one client noted,

“ [HJP] Helped my mental health... I felt stressed but now feel better and helped take some pressure off.”

Outcomes

CELC, with funding from the Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), has led a transformative project aimed at providing specialist welfare advice in areas of high deprivation. The project focuses on two Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in Coventry, with plans to establish a third Health Justice Partnership (HJP) in Nuneaton & Bedworth, another area facing significant socio-economic challenges. In partnership with a local Primary Care Network (PCN) and Bedworth, Rugby and Nuneaton Citizens Advice (BRANCAB), CELC has been able to extend its impact across these communities.

A key innovation of the project is the collaboration with Coventry University, which brings law students into the initiative. These students, under the guidance of senior case workers, provide basic advice to clients on matters such as housing applications, adding valuable resource to the project while gaining real-world experience. This partnership helps to address immediate needs within the community while fostering the next generation of legal professionals.

GPs have played an essential role in identifying patients who would benefit from the specialist advice and support offered by the HJP. The majority of referrals (77%) come from the Core20 and Plus Groups, with 57% of those referred being non-White British, highlighting the diverse population in Coventry’s more deprived areas. In 23% of cases, interpreters were required, underscoring the cultural diversity and the importance of tailored support. 

What's next? 

Looking ahead, the project will continue to refine its processes, focusing on improving data collection and patient identification. While co-location in GP practices has proven challenging due to space limitations, CELC is exploring alternative community locations for the third HJP in Nuneaton & Bedworth. The ongoing learning from the project will guide efforts to ensure sustainable, evidence-based practices are embedded. A key next step will be to assess how to maintain the positive outcomes and expand the model to further support vulnerable communities, ensuring long-term benefits for both patients and healthcare services.