Universal access to care in the NHS narrows ethnic inequalities for heart failure patients - King's College London

April 29, 2026

Good news for heart patients across the UK! A groundbreaking study from King's College London has found that the NHS's universal healthcare system is helping to reduce ethnic inequalities for people suffering from heart failure.

A More Equitable System

The research, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, analysed data from around 240,000 patients hospitalised with heart failure between 2018 and 2023. It revealed that non-White patients were more likely to see a heart failure specialist and receive recommended medications within the NHS. This contrasts with findings from countries without universal healthcare.

Specialist Care is Key

Dr Antonio Cannata, the study's lead author and a Clinical Research Fellow at King's College London, highlighted the importance of this finding. "Our findings suggest that when patients enter a universal healthcare system, many of the barriers that disproportionately affect ethnic minority groups... are reduced," he stated.

Better Outcomes for All

The study found that after hospital admission, non-White patients benefited from improved follow-up care. This led to lower mortality risks across all non-White groups compared to White patients, even after accounting for factors like age and socioeconomic status. Specialist care was identified as a crucial factor in these improved outcomes.

Author

South London News NHS & Wellbeing Desk

From the corridors of St Thomas' to pioneering local clinics, the South London News NHS & Wellbeing Desk offers comprehensive coverage of our healthcare system. Our editorial staff provide clinical updates, patient success stories, and service analysis, ensuring our readers stay connected to the medical milestones happening in their community.

Every report is produced under the rigorous oversight of a leadership team with decades of experience at Yahoo UK, Metro, and the Daily Mail. By bridging the gap between clinical data and the patient experience, our desk upholds the highest standards of journalistic integrity to provide an accurate, authoritative perspective on the health of our city.