Health
Cuts linked to widening health inequalities
Widening health inequalities across England are directly associated with cuts to councils’ spending power, according to research.
Pedalling a way to success
Essex Pedal Power provides bikes for free to those living in the most deprived areas of the county, and may lead to the creation of a national scheme. Julian Sanchez explains.
Playing to strengths: prevention in a time of crisis
Jon Burchell and Joe Cook highlight their new research, providing a model for understanding how and why strengths-based prevention works.
The right therapy to save our councils
Local government will face increasing workload pressures in the coming decade, but a vision for an expanded occupational therapy workforce is a key part of the solution, says Karin Orman.
There’s real value in our arts
Council support for arts and culture is at serious risk amid the latest funding crisis. But we must find a way to sustain the arts as a remedy to our deepest challenges, says Alison Mckenzie-Folan.
Limited improvement on hospital delayed discharges despite £600m funding
An improvement of just 12% in hospital delayed discharge figures was achieved in the last financial year despite a further £600m investment in the problem.
DEFRA withholds £6m of air quality funding
Around £6m in funding promised to local authorities to help tackle air pollution will be withheld, a Government spokesperson has confirmed.
Dashboard compares healthy life expectancy across councils
A data tool to compare healthy life expectancy across all councils in England has been launched by The Health Foundation.
NHS Confederation chief rejects call for councils to take health role
Dramatic proposals to devolve health responsibilities to local authorities have been rejected by NHS Confederation chief executive officer Matthew Taylor.
Connecting health to cohesion
The evidence showing the importance of social cohesion to health, and the damage loneliness causes to mental health, is compelling. Ann McGauran reports.
How to build a healthy economy
Social care, often seen as a millstone for councils facing financial challenges, has been turned into an opportunity by Stockton-on-Tees BC to create inclusive growth and tackle health inequalities all at once, writes Heather Jameson.
Why mayors matter
Polling shows the public wants more local control over policy decisions, and directly-elected mayors give them the chance to put place over politics, says Paul Swinney.
Finding the right prescription
Incremental improvements in collaboration, not wholesale change, is key to restoring faith in the health system, writes Matthew Taylor.
Public health directors call for better regulation of private rented sector
Public health directors have welcomed measures aimed at improving social housing but called for more action to tackle poor conditions in the private sector.
Has the time come to go ‘full Nye’ and innovate?
Reform has called for health to be given to local government. Heather Jameson says: 'It is unlikely under the existing government, while Labour currently looks more likely to centralise social care than localise national health.'
Clear and present danger
Public protection services have enormous benefits for communities – but they are in crisis. Derek Allen sets out strategies for securing more investment and support.
Powering up the North
Richard Stubbs and Michael Wood say the opportunity to strengthen both the health and economy of northern England is immense – and that is why deeper devolution is needed.
Devolve NHS England's £168bn budget to local government, says report
NHS England’s £168bn budget should be handed to local government in a radical restructure, the Reform think-tank has suggested in a report today.
Crises to continue as we lurch towards a General Election
The MJ's 24-hour Future Forum summit cantered through a collection of catastrophes, says Heather Jameson. 'Perhaps we ought to conclude that watching local government is more like the Anatomy of a Fall. But at least it’s not quite Oppenheimer. Yet.'
Hail our local heroes
Councils have proven their mettle – now give them the trust and respect they deserve, writes Baroness Sharon Taylor.
