New report highlights role of integrated care in tackling extreme health inequalities  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 19.6.25 

New report highlights role of integrated care in tackling extreme health inequalities  

London, 19 June 2025 — Leading homeless and inclusion health charity Pathway today launches a landmark report drawing on the experiences and insights of local health systems across England working to tackle extreme health inequalities. The report, which is the culmination of Pathway’s Inclusion Health Learning Programme, was funded by NHS England to promote effective approaches to inclusion health in Integrated Care Systems (ICSs). 

The publication issues a powerful call to action: for central government to lead, invest in, and coordinate a cross-departmental response to inclusion health. This national leadership is critical, the report argues, to support and sustain the important progress being made by local systems and services to improve the health of the most excluded. 

Inclusion health – focusing on people who experience the most extreme forms of social exclusion, including homelessness – has gained increasing recognition in recent years. As a priority ‘PLUS’ group within NHS England’s Core20PLUS5 framework, and with the 2023 launch of the national NHS framework for inclusion health, the field now has a dedicated policy footing for the first time. Pathway was proud to contribute to the development of this framework, which encourages systems to strengthen leadership, improve data, commission tailored services, and build robust local evidence. 

The report reflects on the shifting NHS landscape and emphasises that inclusion health principles must endure, regardless of how Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), ICSs, or other structures evolve under the forthcoming NHS 10-Year Plan. It argues that collaboration, strategic commissioning, and integrated, trauma-informed services are essential for health systems to meet the needs of excluded populations – and that these approaches ultimately benefit everyone. 

Pathway CEO Alex Bax said:  

“This report captures a moment of real momentum in the inclusion health field, but it also highlights the risk of losing that momentum if national leadership falters. Tackling extreme health inequalities must not be seen as a niche issue – it is central to the future of a fair and effective health system.” 

Professor Bola Owolabi CBE MRCGP FRSPH, Director – National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme, NHS England said:  

“This report is right to call for collaborative action. No single organisation, profession or sector can reduce health inequalities for inclusion health groups in isolation. NHS leaders must act as agents of change at all levels of the system, alongside their system partners. The multiple interacting causes of social exclusion and ill health in inclusion health groups require cross-sector, interagency working within ICSs, and through strategic coproduction with people with lived experience.” 

The report also highlights the role of neighbourhood-based working in driving the next generation of health reform, noting that some of the most innovative and inclusive models of care are already emerging at this level. Pathway urges local leaders to embed inclusion health into service design, data collection, and workforce development. 

As the health system navigates uncertain terrain, Pathway’s report offers a vision rooted in evidence, compassion, and ambition – showing what can be achieved when public services partner with communities and people with lived experience to drive change. 

“A health system that works for the most excluded,” the report states, “is better for everyone.” 

The report, titled The Opposite of a Siege Mentality, takes its name from a story shared by the Museum of Homelessness, reflecting the collaboration, solidarity, and creativity that underpin this work. 

Pathway extends its deep thanks to NHS England, programme participants, and contributors from across the health and social care landscape. 

The full report is available to download here.

ENDS 

Notes to editors:  

• For media enquiries or interviews please contact Steph Sykes on 07967 100 404 or stephanie.sykes@pathway.org.uk or Dee O’Connell on 07989 396 320 or dee.oconnell@pathway.org.uk 

• The report’s author is Gill Taylor. Gill is a Safeguarding Adult Review author, independent researcher and systems change facilitator with 20 years’ experience working in homelessness, for statutory and voluntary organisations. Gill is also the Strategic Lead for the Museum of Homelessness Dying Homeless Project and recently published the Radical Safeguarding Toolkit – Homelessness. 

• Participating Integrated Care Systems were:  

About Pathway: 
Founded in 2008, Pathway is the UK’s leading charity focused on inclusion health, developing healthcare models for people experiencing homelessness and social exclusion. Working alongside NHS teams and public health partners, Pathway supports innovation, workforce development, and advocacy for those facing the worst health outcomes in society. 

www.pathway.org.uk