Brighton and Hove set for international post-Covid project

Healthcare professionals from Brighton and Hove will join colleagues from Toronto in Canada and Sao Paulo in Brazil as they learn how to better support their communities.

The trans-Atlantic study will hear from frontline workers and public officials, who will offer their experiences from the pandemic.

It is an attempt to resolve social, health and nutritional inequalities within communities that were highlighted by the pandemic.

Brighton and Hove has been chosen as one of three cities for the project

NHS Sussex – a new group set up to improve care across the county – will lead Brighton and Hove’s involvement in the study.

Adam Doyle, CEO at NHS Sussex, said: “We are committed to reducing inequality in our communities, so we are delighted to be part of this global research to identify promising innovations from our response to the Covid-19 crisis.

“Brighton and Hove had some of the first cases of the virus in the UK, and since that day health and care teams worked hard to respond to the pandemic and ensure city residents had the best possible care and support.

“This important research into grassroots innovations and collaborations among community volunteers and frontline service providers will be a catalyst for change.

“Our participation in this project will be of benefit to our communities in Sussex and beyond.”

The project is organised by the Institute of Development Studies, with Brighton and Hove chosen to feature due to its “socially diverse and economically dynamic” characteristics.

Brighton and Hove was one of the first places to record a Covid-19 case in England

Following the research, strategies will be put in place to implement changes to reduce inequality.

Gerry Bloom, research fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, said: “This project is a fantastic opportunity to learn from the pandemic across three vibrant, global cities and learn how to best support marginalised communities in the future.

“Our partners in Sao Paulo and Toronto are very keen to exchange experiences with Brighton and Hove, a city that is recognised for its innovative responses to health and social challenges.”

NHS Sussex forms on July 1, and said its ambition is for every person living in Sussex to have access to the best health and care from the moment they are born and throughout their lives.