BBK Manifesto 2026: Eradicate health inequality

Despite having a national health service, our country suffers from some serious and consequential health inequalities, and these cause profound human and economic damage, creating systemic disparities in life expectancy, disease severity and quality of life.  

People in England’s most deprived areas live nearly a decade less than those in the most affluent areas, often spending almost 20 fewer years in good health. Meanwhile, people with learning disabilities have an average life expectancy of 62.9 years, compared to over 82 for the general population, according to a House of Commons committee report.  

And these are just two examples of how significantly health outcomes can differ depending on a person’s circumstances. 

That’s why, as part of Bolt Burdon Kemp’s Manifesto for Injured People, we’ve set out key policy changes aimed at reducing these inequalities and creating fairer outcomes for people across the UK. 

Medical misogyny

The Government even admits there is an “appalling culture of medical misogyny” within parts of the NHS. Launching a refreshed Women’s Health Strategy in April 2026, then-Health Secretary Wes Streeting argued that too many women continue to face “basic, everyday sexism” in healthcare settings, resulting in experiences of being ignored, dismissed or treated without respect. 

The report also draws attention to significant disparities in care, including gynaecology waiting lists that have more than doubled over the past eight years, higher rates of heart attack misdiagnosis among women and lengthy delays, often exceeding a decade, for endometriosis diagnosis. Concerns around cancer care and findings from reviews into poor maternity services also feature prominently, underscoring the need for systemic change across women’s healthcare. 

This issue was laid bare in Baroness Amos’s recent report it is littered with examples of “medical misogyny”, describing “an embedded culture in which women’s voices are ignored”. Some women described being denied pain relief or being told they were “a wimp”. 

Health inequality for those with disabilities

A prominent example of health inequality affecting disabled women is the lack of consistent access to cervical screening and mammography services for those with mobility impairments.  

Despite legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, many screening environments and pieces of equipment remain inaccessible. NHS guidance acknowledges that accessibility issues continue to be a barrier to attendance for disabled women.  

In many cases, clinical equipment is not designed with wheelchair users in mind. Examination couches used for cervical screening are often fixed-height and unsuitable for safe transfers. At the same time, mammography machines are typically designed for standing patients and cannot always be adjusted sufficiently for women who remain seated. As a result, women may attend appointments only to discover that the screening cannot be carried out. 

Although existing guidance recommends adjustments such as longer appointments, accessible facilities, hoists, specialist screening clinics and other tailored support, implementation remains inconsistent across the country. This gap between policy and practice can leave disabled women feeling excluded, discouraged or unable to access potentially life-saving screening services.  

Health inequality for those from ethnic minority communities

BBK’s own research found people from some ethnic groups report far worse healthcare experiences than the national average. Figures from the Health Foundation show that people from Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Black Caribbean backgrounds have the highest levels of diagnosed ill health in England and are more likely to be diagnosed with conditions including diabetes, chronic pain, cardiovascular disease and dementia. 

According to Veena Raleigh, Senior Fellow with the King’s Fund: “Unpicking the causes of ethnic inequalities in health is difficult. Available evidence suggests a complex interplay of many factors including deprivation, environment, health-related behaviours and the ‘healthy migrant effect’. Most ethnic minority groups are disproportionately affected by socio-economic deprivation, a key determinant of health status in all communities.” 

Shockingly, MBRRACE-UK data show Black women are nearly three times more likely to die during or after pregnancy and Asian women are twice more likely to die compared to white women.  

Our calls for change

We are therefore calling for the Government to:  

• Introduce a statutory duty across the NHS to reduce health inequalities. Require every NHS organisation to set measurable targets for reducing disparities in access, experience and outcomes, with annual public reporting on progress. 

• Guarantee accessible healthcare for disabled people. Establish national standards for accessible screening, diagnostic and treatment services, backed by dedicated funding to ensure all facilities and equipment meet the needs of disabled patients. 

• Close the gender health gap. Introduce mandatory training on women’s health and gender bias for healthcare professionals, alongside accelerated action to reduce waiting times for gynaecological care and improve diagnosis rates for conditions such as endometriosis. 

• Address ethnic disparities in healthcare outcomes. Improve the collection and publication of ethnicity data, expand culturally competent healthcare services, and implement targeted interventions to reduce inequalities in maternal health, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer care. 

Health inequalities are not inevitable; they are the result of systemic barriers that can and must be addressed. Unequal access to healthcare leads to poorer outcomes, shorter lives and wider social and economic costs. The Government should commit to tackling these disparities through targeted action, improved accountability and a healthcare system that works equitably for everyone. 

This blog is part of our 2026/27 Manifesto for Injured People. At Bolt Burdon Kemp, we support injured people not only by winning their cases but by driving positive change. Guided by our clients’ experiences and partnerships with charities across the UK, we are raising awareness of the changes needed to better support injured people. We will continue working with politicians from all parties to ensure injured people’s needs are not overlooked in Westminster or beyond. You can read our full manifesto here.