Health
Building quality of life
Sadie Morgan explains the role of the built environment on our health and wellbeing, and how planners and councils can improve quality of life through the design and management of new homes and buildings.
Counting the benefits of good partnership
The South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership was formally signed off this summer. It will build on South Holland DC’s own experience of partnership working, and build something even bigger, says Rob Barlow.
Levelling up the UK’s most unequal city
Tackling inequality and promoting food justice are key priorities for Cambridge as the council aspires for the city to be a global exemplar of a fairer, greener and more inclusive way of life, explains Robert Pollock.
Think-tank in call for wellbeing budgets
The Government should introduce ‘wellbeing budgets’ that look beyond gross domestic product (GDP) to reduce regional health inequalities, a think-tank has urged.
How can the NHS work with councils on levelling up?
Andrew Laird says the levelling up jigsaw is missing one major piece – the NHS – and he points to an ethical barrier to it playing a full role in this crucial policy agenda.
Pursuing happiness
At last, the Treasury wants us all to be happy, says Dan Corry. ‘A brilliant early sign that the Treasury means this is if the forthcoming and long-awaited multi-year Spending Review pushed these concepts hard’, he adds.
Imagining a health-led recovery
The Health Foundation says local government should be at the heart of driving forward the strategy to improve and level up health, and thereby the economy – but how can this best work in practice? Ann McGauran reports.
Let’s not rebrand health inequalities
Health inequalities does not feel like a ‘safe’ phrase, nor should it be, says Rachel Flowers. ‘If we used words that dilute the impact of this harsh phrase it might start feeling too comfortable,’ she explains.
We need an equal partnership between the NHS and councils on health and care
When is a local health and care partnership not a partnership? If we are not careful when it's an integrated care system, say Phil Hope and Steve Barwick.
Beyond carrots and sticks
Andy Woods ponders the rise of ‘influence government’ at a local level, looking at what can be learned from the behavioural economics playbook and at the ethical considerations.
Minister: All options exhausted in hunt for social care solution
Minister Gillian Keegan has claimed ‘every single option was looked at’ before the Government considered raising National Insurance to pay for health and social care.
‘It’s about levelling up’
Pam Smith, Karen James and Andrea Green talk to Ann McGauran about how their strong relationship as leaders has helped their teams provide a system of support for health and social care in Stockport.
Javid vows to reform health and social care
Health secretary Sajid Javid has three clear priorities – COVID, recovery and reform – he told delegates at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester this week.
Afghan refugees must be given the tools to thrive, not just survive
More must be done if the thousands of Afghan refugees being enthusiastically welcomed to the UK are to be given the chance to build new lives, says Geeta Nanda OBE.
Row holds up Better Care Fund plan
A multi-million pound dispute means Cornwall Council and the NHS Kernow care commissioning group have yet to sign off their Better Care Fund (BCF) plan for this year.
Playing our part in cancer research
Sutton LBC has built a robust partnership to develop a £1bn world leading life-science campus – the London Cancer Hub – and to supplement that project a real game changer is set to come with the opening of a new ‘Innovation Gateway’, says Cllr Ruth Dombey
Short-changed again
Clive Betts warns that, with little clarity on how much extra money will be spent next year, there is the prospect of social care unravelling unless councils receive more money to fill the existing funding gaps.
A first step on the road to reform?
The plan for health and social care plan does nothing to address the challenges faced by the sector, including increasing demand, unmet need and ever-tightening budgets, says Dr Eleanor Roy
HMJ: Cracks in services ‘clearly visible’
The pandemic has exposed structural weaknesses in maternity funding leading to ‘tragic events’ in recent years, maternity royal colleges have warned.
HMJ: Call for permanent discharge to assess funding
The Government has been urged to make funding for its ‘discharge to assess’ scheme permanent in a bid to free up thousands of hospital beds and help the NHS recover from the pandemic.
