Publication: The impact of hardship on primary schools and primary and community healthcare, Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)

What are the main points?
> Primary and community healthcare staff estimate 57% of their patients experienced hardship (having to go without basic essentials such as food, heating and appropriate clothing) over the past 12 months.
> Primary school staff estimate 48% of their pupils experienced hardship at some point since the start of the school year. While more than a third of pupils are believed to have come to school hungry.
> Healthcare settings are providing additional services to deal with hardship: 49% of staff say their service offers a food bank and 22% say staff provide for patients themselves.
> 9 in 10 staff say that pupils or patients experiencing hardship leads to an impact on them as staff, their colleagues or the wider organisation they work for.
EXPERT THOUGHT
JRF principal policy adviser Katie Schmuecker said: ‘No plan for our schools or NHS should be taken seriously if it doesn’t include tackling hardship. Leaving millions to live without essential items… doesn’t just rob people of options or dignity, it also adds to the pressures on the services we all rely on.’
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