Health Management and Policy Alert

Doing more for less? A mixed-methods analysis of the experience of primary care networks in socioeconomically deprived areas

Health Foundation - 

Primary care networks (PCNs) are a major vehicle for government investment in general practice, worth £2.4bn in 2023/24. However this research shows that poorer areas in England are missing out on funding and additional primary care staff because the greater health needs of their populations are not adequately taken into account by current funding arrangements.

• Report
• Press release

Health and social care statistical outputs

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) - 

The DHSC, together with NHS England, Office for National Statistics, UK Health Security Agency, and NHS Business Services Authority, are seeking views on possible changes to the health and social care statistical products published by the: DHSC, including the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID); NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA); UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA); Office for National Statistics (ONS); and NHS England (NHSE). They are also seeking an understanding of how clear and valuable users find the current statistical system. This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 5 March 2024.

• Access the consultation
• More detail

 

All’s well that ends well? Reflections on the consultant pay offer

Nuffield Trust - 

With ministers and unions having reached a deal on pay, consultant doctor strikes look to have ended, but the details of the agreement are complex. This long read breaks down the key elements of the consultant pay offer and discusses the potential ramifications for NHS staff and the pay review process.

• Long read

NHS Winter Watch 2023/24: week 1

NHS Providers - 

This is the first of NHS Providers weekly NHS Winter Watch 2023/24 analyses of the latest weekly situation report data from NHS England.

• Briefing

UK Covid-19 Inquiry public hearings: module 2, week 7 (27 November - 1 December)

NHS Providers - 

This briefing summarises the proceedings most relevant to NHS trusts and is the seventh in the series of weekly briefings on the Inquiry’s public hearings on module 2.

• Briefing
• More detail

Children and young people's mental health services: targets, progress and barriers to improvement

Education Policy Institute (EPI) - 

This report assesses the progress that has been made against government targets to improve children and young people’s mental health services since 2015. Whilst some progress has been made in improving service provision, EPI finds that this has been outpaced by rising demand for services, with concerning levels of variation in the services available across England and a need for better data and greater transparency regarding service availability, quality and outcomes. Informed by these findings and advice from advisory groups, EPI makes a range of policy recommendations, providing a blueprint for a future government’s strategy to improve children and young people’s mental health services.

• Report
• More detail

Wall to wall support: joining up public services and housing for vulnerable children, young people and families

Demos -
This report argues that public services need to be more effectively joined up. It finds that a lack of joined-up public services is costing government up to £4.3 billion every year. These costs are a direct result of additional use of government services, such as housing or health, by young people and families who did not access adequate support or early help when they needed it.

• Report
• Demos - publications

Pharmacy supervision consultation

Department of Health and Social Care -
This consultation seeks views on proposals to modernise legislation governing the supervision of activities by a pharmacist in a pharmacy. The closing date for comments is 29 February 2024.

• Consultation
• Department of Health and Social Care - consultations

Government response to the consultation on visiting in care homes, hospitals, and hospices

Department of Health and Social Care - 
This is a response to the government consultation on introducing ‘visiting’ as a new Care Quality Commission fundamental standard for care homes, hospitals and hospices. The consultation ran from June to August 2023.

• Report
• Department of Health and Social Care - publications

Valuing care: using data to improve children and young people’s lives

County Councils Network -
This report calls for data-driven approaches focused on the needs of young people in England to be embedded into the forthcoming children’s social care reforms to improve commissioning, practice, and outcomes. It analyses data on needs and cost for 3,500 young people. It finds a limited correlation between the needs of young people, the costs of their care, and the type of care they receive.

• Report
• County Councils Network - news