Hearing Aid

What is the Rural Hearing Gap – and why does it matter? 

Hearing loss is a pervasive yet often hidden health challenge affecting millions of people across the UK. While 5.8% of GP patients reported deafness or hearing loss in 2024, research indicates that the true figure is significantly higher – affecting up to 18 million adults, or one-in-three, when mild and unilateral loss are included. Prevalence increases sharply with age, meaning rural communities – where 27% of residents are aged […]

winter

Cold realities: what more can be done to address winter mortality in rural areas?

Winter is linked to increased mortality compared to other seasons, with the UK experiencing higher winter mortality rates than some colder European countries. How is winter mortality measured, what are the trends in rural communities, and what more can be done to address excess winter deaths? Jessica Sellick investigates.   ………………………………………………………………………………………………..  Winter mortality rates in the UK exceed those observed in several colder European nations, indicating that a proportion of these deaths may […]

Work that works: is job quality improving in rural areas?

Work that works: is job quality improving in rural areas?

Back in July 2017, Matthew Taylor published an independent review of modern working practices. Called ‘Good Work’, its core ambition was simple: that all work should be fair, decent, and offer real chances for development and fulfilment. What does good work actually look like in rural England, why does it matter — and what’s been […]

Is it time for a National Accident Prevention Strategy? 

Is it time for a National Accident Prevention Strategy? 

In July 2025, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) urged the Government to establish a National Accident Prevention Strategy. By emphasising the human and economic costs associated with accidents, as well as fragmented responsibility for accident prevention, RoSPA called on the Government to act strategically to prevent accidents. With the Government’s current […]

patient records

The Single Patient Record is coming – will it benefit rural patients? 

The creation of a Single Patient Record (SPR) is a central commitment in the 10 Year Health Plan for England. It reflects the Government’s ambition to provide patients with real control over their data through a single, secure and patient-controlled record. In practice, this means that patients will no longer need to repeat their medical history […]

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Jessica Sellick

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