Health Management and Policy Alert

Change or collapse: lessons from the drive to reform health and social care in Northern Ireland

Nuffield Trust -
The health and social care system in Northern Ireland has seen seven fundamental reviews setting out major changes of direction in the last 20 years. Each has delivered a similar verdict: the country needs to reduce its reliance on hospitals, centralise some services for a critical mass at a smaller number of sites, and focus more on prevention and keeping people healthy. This report examines the factors that may be helping or hindering efforts to improve the health and social care system in Northern Ireland today. It aims to be of interest to health leaders across different countries, especially in the rest of the UK.

• Report
• Nuffield Trust - publications

NHS long-term plan: legislative proposals

Health and Social Care Committee - 

This report welcomes, in principle, NHS England and NHS Improvement's proposals to promote collaboration, especially the proposal to repeal section 75 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and revoke the regulations made under it. The Health and Social Care Committee believes that collaboration, rather than competition, is a better way for the NHS and the wider health and care system to respond to today's challenges.

• Report
• Press release

Outstanding models of district nursing

Queen's Nursing Institute (QNI) - 
This report, written in conjunction with the Royal College of Nursing, calls for urgent investment in district nursing, as new figures show the number of district nurses working in the NHS has dropped by almost 43 per cent in England in the last ten years. It explores all the elements which need to be in place to support an outstanding district nursing service.

• Report
• Press release

Above and beyond: how voluntary sector providers of disability support add value to communities

Voluntary Organisations Disability Group -
This report describes the influence and potential of voluntary sector providers of social care through real life stories from four disability support providers from across England. The report outlines the voluntary care sector’s key impacts, including: engaging local partners and harnessing the potential of community resources; reducing social isolation and promoting inclusion; and changing perceptions of disability.

• Report
• Voluntary Organisations Disability Group - press release

Investing in quality: the contribution of large charities to shaping future health and care

The King's Fund -
Commissioned by the National Garden Scheme, this report explores how the work of the National Garden Scheme and its beneficiaries fits within the context of the future of policy development in health and care. The National Garden Scheme is an independent charity that provides annual donations to a range of nursing and caring charities. The report captures its contribution to six of its main beneficiaries: Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, The Queen’s Nursing Institute, Parkinson’s UK, and MS Society.

• Read it now

Does hospital competition reduce rates of patient harm in the English NHS?

Competition and Markets Authority -
Previous hospital mergers have reduced the number of distinct organisations offering publicly funded and provided care in the NHS, reducing choice and between-hospital competition in some areas. This research tests the impact of variation in concentration on a new quality indicator: the prevalence of patient harm from falls, pressure ulcers, blood clots and urinary tract infections. It finds that hospital mergers in concentrated areas without offsetting clinical benefits could significantly increase rates of patient harm.

• Report
• Competition and Markets Authority - publications

The NHS long term plan

NHS England -

The plan focuses on improving services outside hospitals and moving towards more joined-up, preventative and personalised care for patients, and the ambition to establish integrated care systems in every part of the country by 2021. It includes measures to: improve out-of-hospital care, supporting primary medical and community health services; ensure all children get the best start in life by continuing to improve maternity safety; support older people through more personalised care and stronger community and primary care services; and make digital health services a mainstream part of the NHS. In addition, this ten-year plan includes measures to prevent 150,000 heart attacks, strokes and dementia cases, and better access to mental health services for adults and children.

• Plan
• Press release

The NHS long term plan

NHS England -

The plan focuses on improving services outside hospitals and moving towards more joined-up, preventative and personalised care for patients, and the ambition to establish integrated care systems in every part of the country by 2021. It includes measures to: improve out-of-hospital care, supporting primary medical and community health services; ensure all children get the best start in life by continuing to improve maternity safety; support older people through more personalised care and stronger community and primary care services; and make digital health services a mainstream part of the NHS. In addition, this ten-year plan includes measures to prevent 150,000 heart attacks, strokes and dementia cases, and better access to mental health services for adults and children.

• Plan
• Press release

Letting local systems lead: how the long-term plan could deliver a more sustainable NHS

NHS Confederation -
According to this report, the NHS long-term plan must help bring about a “breakthrough” in the development of local health and care systems by allowing them greater freedom and minimising central control. The report calls for a focus on tackling the barriers to local system working as NHS England prepares to publish its blueprint for the coming decade.

• Report
• NHS Confederation - news

Clinical engagement and collaboration: Newcastle Gateshead CCG

NHS Clinical Commissioners - 

The Core Cities Network is a peer-led network representing clinical commissioning groups from the eight core cities in England outside London – Nottingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Bristol, Newcastle, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester. This case study explores the value of clinical engagement and collaboration, as well as the challenges and benefits from working across different geographies.

• Case study
• Core Cities Network