NHS
How councils keep public health top of the agenda
It’s 175 years since England’s first municipal public health official was appointed, so how are local authorities performing at keeping people healthy? Professor Jim McManus takes the long view.
Council leaders urge GPs to prescribe leisure centre trips
Council leaders have urged GPs to prescribe obese patients classes at leisure centres after research found it could increase life expectancy by four years.
The ‘people’s choice’ for health and care leadership
Andrew Laird says local authorities are the driving force for the levelling up agenda through co-production with local communities, and there are many reasons why council leaders are perfect for the role of leading in health and care ‘places’.
The results reinforce the realignment of Britain's electoral geography
Ben Page says 'nationally the Conservatives are hurting, but you wouldn’t bet against them winning again, despite "levelling up" being the policy area voters think they are worst at'.
Taking Integrated Care Systems to the next level
Phil Hope of the Health Devolution Commission looks at emerging best practice approaches for Integrated Care Systems, including five key financial design principles that reflect collaboration rather than competition.
Bill passes as intervention powers reined in
The Health and Care Bill has officially received Royal Assent following months of wrangling between the House of Commons and House of Lords.
No child should be at the mercy of a postcode lottery
We need a national conversation about the way our mental health system fails too many children and a review of CAMHS is required, says the new president of the ADCS, Steve Crocker.
Fresh LGA call after 'bed blocking' doubles
The Local Government Association (LGA) has called for ‘urgent action’ to support social care after new figures revealed hospital ‘bed blockers’ now outnumber COVID-19 patients.
Future Forum North: ‘lack of alignment’ in healthcare reforms
A ‘frenzy’ of Government healthcare announcements has resulted in the fragmentation of integration reforms, the Future Forum North has heard.
Creating critical mass for emergencies
As Integrated Care Systems gear up to take on new Civil Contingencies responsibilities, Ruth Tennant sets out four key points for them to reflect on, and examines the risks in the system.
HMJ: Progress on racial equality not ‘far or fast enough’
Trust leaders are ‘angry and frustrated’ over the slow pace of progress on race equality, according to a new survey by NHS Providers.
Ministers maintain power over CQC reviews
Ministers have dismissed an attempted challenge from peers to proposed fresh powers over looming reviews of the sector.
Now is the time for London councils to step up to the plate on integration
Councils must seize the day if they’re to make the most of the opportunity to deliver life-changing integration with the NHS in London, says Cllr Danny Thorpe.
Communities need real power and influence over how their health is approached
The question of governance structures has dominated the new healthcare landscape, says Jessica Studdert. 'The focus must be on creating new ways of working that are anchored in places, powered by their assets and with communities themselves at the heart.'
Senior management workforce warning
Councils are increasingly struggling to recruit and retain senior managers due to demographic factors and relatively poor remuneration packages, sector workforce experts have warned.
Breaking down plans to join up the health and care workforce
Failure to address widespread workforce problems could hinder government’s integration agenda, says Lucinda Allen.
Johnson under renewed pressure to scrap National Insurance surcharge
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is under renewed pressure to cancel the NHS and social care National Insurance surcharge after a boost to the public finances.
Health and care needs adequate resources directed to where they are most needed
Cllr David Fothergill welcomes the LGA’s voice in the tone and focus of the integration White Paper but says that successful delivery of place-based care will need adequate resources and no further burdens.
We need a culture change on care
By focusing on the enablers of integration, the new White Paper offers the scope for accelerating efforts already underway, says Deborah Rozansky. But better data does not on its own lead to better outcomes, she warns.
'Wicked questions' need resolving on health and care integration
The integration White Paper will help move the NHS towards a new partnership with local government but ‘wicked questions’ still need resolving, the Health Devolution Commission (HDC) has said.
