Health Management and Policy Alert

Individual and local area factors associated with self-reported wellbeing, perceived social cohesion and sense of attachment to one’s community: analysis of the Understanding Society Survey

What Works Centre for Wellbeing - 

The findings reported here are from an analysis of data from the Understanding Society Survey (USS) which follows a large sample of people from across Britain over time. This study was undertaken to examine questions likely to be especially relevant for those working in the field of public health intelligence, using small area statistics to identify localities where interventions may particularly need to be targeted in order to reduce inequalities in wellbeing across England.

• Report

HTA and payment mechanisms for new drugs to tackle AMR

Office of Health Economics - 

This paper provides an overview of the current state of health technology assessment and contracting for antibiotics in five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and the UK), and of the recent proposals in the literature for revising them. It also includes the recommendations developed following a stakeholder forum on ‘Value Assessment and Contracting for Antibiotics’ held in February 2019.

• Report
• Press release

Psychological perspectives on obesity: addressing policy, practice and research priorities

British Psychological Society - 

This report calls for government to ensure every initiative aimed at promoting a healthy weight is informed by psychological evidence. It says weight management services are best delivered by multidisciplinary teams that include psychologists. All health professionals working in obesity services should be trained in the psychological understanding of obesity so they understand the factors that can contribute to the condition and to the success or failure of treatment.

• Report
• Press release

Contained or contagious? The future of infectious disease in ageing societies

International Longevity Centre UK - 

This report urges policymakers across the world to do more to adequately prepare for the growing risk of future pandemics. A number of global developments are currently increasing the likelihood of future outbreaks, including complacency around vaccination uptake, lack of awareness of the risks of infectious disease, anti-microbial resistance, climate change and global population migration. Moreover, in an ageing society, more of us are likely to be susceptible to infectious disease and experience complications resulting from disease.

• Report
• Press release

Sugar reduction: report on progress between 2015 and 2018

Public Health England - 

This report includes a detailed assessment of progress by the food industry, between 2015 and 2018, towards meeting the 20 per cent reduction ambition by 2020 for the sugar reduction programme. It assesses progress: in reducing sugar and calories, in product categories included in the programme by retailers and manufacturers; in the out of home sector; for drinks covered by the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) including an assessment by socio-economic status; and by individual businesses, and in top-selling products in each category. The report also includes case studies supplied by the food industry.

• Report
• More detail

Inclusive by default

Reform - 

As more public services are delivered digitally, there is an imperative to tackle the causes of digital exclusion. This report finds a lack of skills, motivation or the right infrastructure are some of the key factors that make digital exclusion more likely. In addition to providing alternative routes for those unable to access digital public services, it is essential that these barriers are overcome. Designing accessible services, community support and partnerships across sectors are tools that can help to make digital public services inclusive by default. 

• Report
• More detail

Occupational therapy: unlocking the potential of children and young people

Royal College of Occupational Therapists -
This report outlines the role that occupational therapists play in improving the lives of children and young people with physical, learning and mental health needs. It demonstrates, through a series of case studies, how occupational therapists help children and young people participate in participate in the activities that they want or need to do at home, at school or work and during their free time. It also shows how occupational therapists are key to promoting collaboration between, health, social care, education and the voluntary sector.

• Report
• Royal College of Occupational Therapists - news

Penalty charge notices in healthcare

House of Commons Public Accounts Committee -
Penalty charge notices (PCNs) are supposed to discourage people from claiming free prescriptions or dental treatment when they are not entitled to do so. This report finds that the current PCN process penalises those who fail to navigate the complex exemption criteria and neglects clear evidence of abuse by repeat offenders. It concludes that the system requires a fundamental overhaul is not fit for purpose.

• Report
• House of Commons Public Accounts Committee - news

Caring, supportive, collaborative: doctors’ vision for change in the NHS

British Medical Association (BMA) -
This report draws on the experience and expertise of BMA members across all branches of medical practice in the UK. It outlines where the BMA believe changes are needed to ensure patient care is safe, makes the NHS a great place to work and transforms services for the better.

• Report
• BMA - publications

What can England learn from the long-term care system in Germany?

Nuffield Trust -
This report seeks to assess the German long-term care system through the lens of the policy challenges that face England. Using a literature review and a series of interviews with experts on the German system both within and outside Germany, it seeks to draw out elements of the German system that could either be incorporated into the current system or that offer cautionary tales.

• Report
• Nuffield Trust - publications