Public health
Eleven heads in Herts are better than one for public health
A strong partnership of 11 local authorities in Hertfordshire including the public health department in the county council has together delivered more than 213 public health projects, says Ciceley Scarborough.
Council cuts threaten NHS plan
Cuts in council social care and public health budgets threaten the viability of the ambitious NHS Long Term Plan, care chiefs have warned.
Where do councils fit into the NHS plan?
Last week’s publication of the NHS Long Term Plan signals a fundamental shift towards community-based services and a focus on reducing health inequalities. Michael Burton looks at its implications for local government
NHS long term plan only offers part of the solution
Chairman of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board Ian Hudspeth says until social care is fully funded and public health budget cuts reversed, pumping funding into the NHS continues to be the same as 'pouring water into a sink with no plug in it'.
Early intervention’s not enough without funding
There will never be enough money for the behemoth that is the NHS - and the real under-funding is in the local government services it so covets, according to Heather Jameson
The NHS makes a land grab for public health
Flushed with the massive bung from the Prime Minister, the NHS appears to have decided it must take over cash-strapped local government judging by its latest so-called long-term plan, says Michael Burton
Councils warn of impact of public health funding cuts
Councils have reacted angrily to ‘short-sighted’ cuts to public health funding next year by the Government.
London boroughs work together to face the HIV challenge
The London HIV Prevention Programme (LHPP) is clearly a public health success story, says Cllr Ray Puddifoot - and local government in the capital is determined to lead the way in efforts to end HIV altogether.
Public health progress put at risk by cuts
The Government must restore councils’ public health grants because of their important role in the urgent task of improving public health, according to a report from leading health think tank, The King’s Fund.
Democracy's different down under
Most people are aware that voting in Australia is compulsory, but far fewer will be informed about the traditions surrounding the trip to the polls.
Universal Credit bad for people's health - academics
Universal Credit (UC) is bad for health and wellbeing, academics have found in a new study commissioned by Gateshead MBC.
Making a healthy start
There are still big issues that need to be addressed if the prevention agenda is to be a success, as key speaker at this year's County Councils' Network annual conference Phil Swann explains
Winner’s quest to build on success
As The MJ launches its 2019 awards Michael Burton reports on how winning the 2018 Local Authority of the Year category this year made an impact on Blackburn with Darwen Council
Documents to detail prevention vision
Council chiefs are keenly awaiting the publication of two key documents for clues as to how the Government’s new focus on prevention will impact them.
pluggedin
Paul O'Brien ponders the new programme to tackle childhood obesity, and can't help wondering if any joined-up policy thinking is taking place on domestic matters while the shadow of Brexit looms large.
white van man
So the number crunchers have suddenly discovered that our life expectancy has stopped improving for the first time since 1982.
New minister’s chance for bold ideas on social care
One of the advantages of being a new minister is the freedom to throw up all kinds of new ideas - however wacky - and sound enthusiastic while knowing that for the first 100 days or so, commentators will give him or her the benefit of the doubt before cynicism sets in.
How design is being used to transform services
Sarah Weir explains how design is being used to transform services and improve outcomes in public health and offers a range of examples from councils across the country.
Lancashire to re-run public health tender
Lancashire CC has agreed to re-evaluate its tendering process for public health services after a court ordered the council to set aside its agreement with Virgin Care.
A green paper for change
The delay in providing a strategy for social care and wellbeing is impacting not just the care sector, but other key services around the country. To promote discussion the LGA has produced its own green paper looking beyond social care, as Izzi Seccombe explains.