Health Management and Policy Alert

Resource allocation in public sector programmes: does the value of a life differ between governmental departments?

Office of Health Economics - 

This research paper examines whether value of a life estimates used in economic evaluation differs between government departments in a selection of developed countries: Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the Netherlands, and the UK. It finds that generally estimates used in transport and the environment exceeded those used in health, which suggests that health may be undervalued by departments of health compared to departments of transport or environment.

• Paper
• More detail

Looking ahead 2021: reset, partnerships, recovery

Wilmington Healthcare - 

This report investigates the emerging trends and policy that will come to fruition in 2021 and that will transform the NHS landscape. Integration, collaboration, digital transformation, out of-hospital care and homecare are now widely-used concepts. The report explores how they will transform systems in 2021 and what these developments mean for industry. Free registration is required to download the report.

• Report

 

Heart failure: a call to action

Alliance for Heart Failure - 

In 2016 the All Party Parliamentary Group on Heart Disease published ‘Focus on Heart Failure’ which made recommendations to improve care and transform lives. Four years on, with heart failure featuring prominently in the NHS Long Term Plan and a growing number of regional NHS plans, this report looks at the progress that has been made on the APPG’s recommendations, and evaluates what further action needs to be taken.

• Report
• More detail

Integrated care systems in London: challenges and opportunities ahead

The King's Fund - 

Commissioned by the Greater London Authority, this report looks at how the five integrated care systems in London were developing before Covid-19 and how this has changed as a result of the response to the pandemic. 

• Report
• Blog
• Press release

Establishing the National Institute for Health Protection

House of Commons Library - 
In the summer of 2020, the Department of Health and Social Care announced the establishment of the National Institute for Health Protection (NIHP). The NIHP  brings together the health protection and resilience functions of Public Health England, the Joint Biosecurity Centre and NHS Test and Trace. This briefing looks at what is known so far about the new body and reaction from the health sector, ahead of it being formally established in spring 2021.

• Briefing

The future of adult social care

County Councils Network (CCN) - 
This report argues that a new blueprint for delivering social care in England could help tens of thousands of adults each year who need care and support to live more independent lives – if councils are given the ability to reshape services through the government’s long-awaited reforms. It warns that this model can only be delivered if councils are given the clarity of a long-term funding model for care, due to be outlined in the government’s long–awaited green paper, and remain under local democratic control.

• Report
• Press release

The health of people from ethnic minority groups in England

The King's Fund - 
This explainer examines the differences in health outcomes for ethnic minority groups, highlighting the variation across groups and conditions, and considers what’s needed to reduce health inequalities.

• Long read

Inclusion health self-assessment tool for primary care networks

VCSE Health & Wellbeing Alliance  - 
This online tool aims to help primary care networks (PCNs) to assess their engagement with inclusion health groups. These are the groups identified as experiencing the worst health inequalities in the UK. The tool will provide a unique and tailored guide which will help PCNs to embed action on tackling health inequalities into their everyday activities.

• Online tool

Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices

General Medical Council (GMC) -
This updated guidance sets out standards for good practice when prescribing remotely and face to face, when prescribing unlicensed medicines, and for when patient care is shared with another doctor. The update includes specific advice for doctors prescribing remotely with patients in nursing homes or hospices, and patients who are based overseas.

• Guidance
• Press release

Supporting the LGBTQ+ population through COVID-19 and beyond

NHS Confederation - 
Leaders from across the healthcare system agree that for the LGBTQ+ population to recover and thrive after the pandemic, the way services are designed and delivered, and the workforce environments they are delivered in, must change. This report sets out a series of recommendations to help healthcare leaders, service designers and commissioners ensure their services and workplaces meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ population

• Report
• Press release