Health
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.
PAC: Government has ‘no roadmap’ for fixing social care
The Government has ‘no roadmap’ for fixing the failing social care system and ‘nothing meaningful’ in place that might demonstrate progress, MPs have warned.
Combined recipe for healthy communities
Tom Lloyd Goodwin highlights a programme designed to deliver more insight into mayoral combined authorities’ efforts to improve health, and to look at how these could be scaled to achieve more impact.
Investment in neighbourhood services could be a crucial vote winner
'As we limp towards another General Election, we have yet to hear any comprehensive plans from across the political spectrum on how they would address the crisis in funding for neighbourhood services,' says Mo Baines.
Fighting fit in Stockport
It may be testing times for councils, but Stockport MBC is pulling out the stops to ensure its residents of all ages stay healthy, happy – and independent, says Cllr Mark Hunter.
Judgment day
Kent and Home Office face growing pressure over asylum-seeking children.
Local government can drive an inclusive transition to net zero
Emily Morrison calls for a place-based approach to net zero transition, saying national policy is failing to support the UK’s poorest households towards a carbon-neutral future.
Health and care integration: is it worth it?
Is health and care integration worth all the effort when the two systems are on their knees and everything seems to get harder and harder, asks managing director of Roretti Sanjay Mackintosh. 'The answer is it has to be.'