Health Management and Policy Alert

An essential part of the hospice: a report into the role of the Men’s Sheds in hospices

Marie Curie - 

Men’s Sheds have been identified as one way to promote the health and well-being and reduce health and social inequalities for men who might otherwise avoid traditional health services. Historically hospices have struggled to reach men who have a life limiting illness, or who care or cared for ill partners and maybe find themselves alone for the first time in their lives. The aim of the study was to identify an established Men’s Shed group and spend time with them to learn about what makes the group successful, then use this knowledge to encourage the development of further Men’s Shed groups across the hospice sector.

• Report
• Accompanying toolkit

International recruitment to adult social care: a guide for councils

Local Government Association - 

International recruitment can help to boost workforce capacity, bring in additional skills and expertise, and provide a more diverse workforce. However, international recruitment to adult social care also creates the conditions that can enable exploitation of social care staff. The purpose of this guide is to provide an overview of the international recruitment process as it relates to adult social care. It sets out the role of the council as a key stakeholder within this process and signposts to resources that are available to support councils.

• Guide

Innovative health visiting in Derbyshire: a model of partnership, efficiency and resilience

Local Government Association - 

Derbyshire's health visiting services have undergone a significant transformation, driven by a unique Section 75 agreement and a partnership model between Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust and Derbyshire County Council.

• Case study

 

A step change: improving delivery of the Disabled Facilities Grant

Age UK - 

This report calls for all local authorities to radically improve the way they deliver adaptations. The Charity says an overhaul of the system is required to help older people to live independently for longer and reduce pressure on NHS and care services. Two-thirds of local authorities took longer than the recommended six months to deliver an adaptation through the Disabled Facilities Grant, with the longest taking more than 24 months.

• Report
• Press release

Co-production and engagement with communities as a solution to reducing health inequalities

NHS Providers - 

This report outlines the principles of co-production and actions trusts can take to apply engagement methodologies across their organisation. It provides an overview of different forms of engagement and summarises the potential benefits to trusts, including improved patient experiences and outcomes, and the delivery of more inclusive healthcare services that better meet the needs of local communities. It also makes the connection between engagement, co-production and the broader health inequalities agenda, unlocking the potential for collaboratively developing solutions to address complex barriers to health services experienced by some communities.

• Report
• More detail

NHS Constitution: 10 year review

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) - 

The NHS Constitution sets out the principles, values, rights and pledges underpinning the NHS as a comprehensive health service, free at the point of use for all who need it. The DHSC is seeking views on proposed changes to the Constituion. The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 25 June 2024.

• Consultation details
• Press release

Which technologies offer the biggest opportunities to save time in the NHS?

The Health Foundation - 

This long read looks at clinician views on which technologies offer the biggest opportunities to support staff capacity and release time. It sets out challenges and priorities for realising this vision, including actions for key stakeholders such as policymakers (the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and arm’s-length bodies, and their equivalents in the devolved administrations), providers and industry. Given that the change enabled by technology depends on the staff who use it, it argues that centring clinical perspectives and insights is crucial to achieving the coalition and leadership for change required to transform NHS care now and in the future.

• Long read

Not in school: the mental health barriers to school attendance

Centre for Mental Health - 

This report (produced in collaboration with the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition) highlights the need to address the underlying causes of school absence. By increasing the availability of mental health support both in schools and the community, improving access to SEND diagnoses and support, and reducing the use of sanctions-based approaches, the Government can boost attendance and support children to learn.

• Report
• Press release

Be well, care well

NHS Employers - 

Be Well Midlands is a collaboration between health and care organisations across the Midlands, working to improve wellbeing services from a health inequalities perspective. The programme works across eleven integrated care systems that include NHS, social care and the voluntary sector. The programme aims to understand how: staff experience and reward are impacting the workforce across the system; workforce inequalities and morale impact population health; and creating a positive culture that prioritises staff wellbeing can generate a thriving workforce.

• Case study

Changes to regulations relating to the Care Quality Commission

Department of Health and Social Care - 

The government is seeking views on removing the expiry date of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and replacing it with a five-yearly review. It is also seeking views on proposed amendments to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations relating to: treatment (not first aid) in a sports ground or gymnasium; temporary arrangements to deliver medical care (not first aid) at sporting or cultural events; and introducing a new requirement to notify CQC of the use of restraint, segregation and seclusion in mental health units. This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 21 June 2024.

• Consultation document
• More detail