Health Management and Policy Alert

British Social Attitudes 37: key time series

National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) - 
This research, taken from the 37th annual British Social Attitudes report, charts key trends in public attitudes towards welfare, government spending, national identity and immigration, central issues for society and the economy as Britain navigates the COVID-19 pandemic and its departure from the single market and customs union. Despite declining since 2017, the research finds that health still dominates the spending agenda with 65 per cent of respondents naming health as one of their top two priorities.

• Report
• Press release

British Social Attitudes 37: social inequality in England and Scotland

National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) -

This new research from the 37th annual British Social Attitudes report seeks to understand the differences and similarities in attitudes to social inequality in England and Scotland. It reveals the levels of pessimism in both Scotland and England about current levels of social inequality, but finds that people in Scotland are slightly more ‘left wing’ than in England.

• Report
• Press release

Investigation into COVID-19 transmission in hospitals

Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSBI) - 
This report charts a four-month patient safety investigation that was launched following concern that patients were contracting COVID-19 after being admitted to hospital. It presents the voices of those working across the health service, from strategic national planners to hospital porters. It also captured experiences of patients and families, providing further insight into the challenges of managing the transmission of COVID-19.

• Report
• Summary

Access to new medicines in the English NHS

The King's Fund - 
Have you ever wondered how new medicines are developed, approved and priced? This explainer outlines the long journey from the discovery of a new drug to when it becomes available on the NHS.

• Explainer

Working together for a healthier post-Covid future

The Strategy Unit - 
This analysis, commissioned by the Healthier Futures Academy in the Black Country and West Birmingham, illustrates the effects that a COVID-driven recession could have on population health. It frames a discussion about how the NHS, with other local organisations, can more effectively address the causes as well as the effects of ill health.

• Report
• Summary

Is there a doctor in the house? Averting a post-pandemic staffing crisis in the NHS

Institute of Economic Affairs - 

The UK ranks 27th out of 36 OECD countries for number of physicians, and around 30 per cent of doctors on GP and specialist registers are over 55 years old. The UK relies more heavily on foreign-trained physicians than comparable countries – but within a decade it could become increasingly difficult to meet demand this way. While population growth and ageing have increased demand for doctors, such demographic factors could mean a staffing crisis is on the horizon. This briefing suggests a range of cost-effective solutions to plug doctor shortages once the Covid-19 crisis has passed.

• Briefing
• Press release

An avoidable crisis: the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities

Labour Party - 

The Labour Party leader, Keir Starmer, appointed Baroness Doreen Lawrence to lead this review into how those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds were being impacted by Covid-19. The review makes both immediate and long-term recommendations to protect those most at risk and tackle structural inequalities in several key areas including the machinery of government, health, employment and in the education system.

• Report
• Press release

590 people’s stories of hospital during Covid-19

Healthwatch - 

In partnership with British Red Cross, this report reviews the experiences of 590 people after being discharged from hospital. The research shows significant numbers of people are not receiving follow-up support under new policy to switch to a ‘discharge to assess’ model in March 2020 (introduced to cope with demand at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic), leading to unmet needs. It calls on the NHS to address these issues coming into the busy winter period amidst growing pressures of a second Covid-19 wave.

• Report
• Press release

Report of the independent review of NHS hospital food

Department of Health and Social Care - 

This review, advised by chef and restaurateur Prue Leith, highlights the main challenges for NHS catering and makes recommendations on how NHS trusts can prioritise food safety and provide more nutritious meals to both staff and patients. The review covers: workforce; nutrition and hydration; food safety; facilities; technology; sustainability; enforcing standards; the way forward to improving hospital food for patients, and staff and visitors.

• Review
• Press release

 

Quarterly report on progress to address Covid-19 health inequalities

Race Disparity Unit -
This report summarises the work undertaken by the Minister for Equalities and government departments on Covid-19 disparities. The current evidence shows that a range of socioeconomic and geographical factors such as occupational exposure, population density, household composition and pre-existing health conditions contribute to the higher infection and mortality rates for ethnic minority groups, but a part of the excess risk remains unexplained for some groups.

• Report
• Letter
• Race Disparty Unit - publications