Application of health equity audit to health visiting.

Equitable access to health care services is an important driver to improve health. The link between socio-economic status and ill health has long been established and yet some population groups are still disadvantaged in accessing services. Health equity audit is a tool that enables the identification and redistribution of resources on the basis of need. Within the former Charnwood and North West Leicestershire Primary Care Trust, a health equity audit was undertaken to ensure the provision of health visiting resource was based on the health needs of the population. Equity was assessed utilising neighbourhood-based indices of multiple deprivation (IMD) and hours of health visiting activity.