Health Management and Policy Alert

Not by choice: the unequal impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on disempowered ethnic minority and migrant communities

Doctors of the World - 
This report argues that too many of the policy decisions that were made during the Covid-19 health emergency either did not understand the evidence on inequality or ignored it, and that this was particularly true for ethnic minorities and migrants.

• Report
• Doctors of the World - news

The Covid-19 Inquiry

Institute for Government - 

This explainer sets out what is the Covid-19 inquiry; what powers does it have; and what is its purpose and scope.

• Explainer

Growing problems, one year on: the state of children’s health care and the Covid-19 backlog

Nuffield Trust -
A previous report showed that although the direct effects of Covid-19 on children and young people had generally been milder than for older groups, the impact of the pandemic was huge, with waiting lists for children and young people's care growing rapidly and mental health a serious concern. This report investigates whether there have been improvements in the state of health and care for children and young people. It finds that, rather than diminishing, the problems facing children and young people’s health care have worsened in many cases.

• Nuffield Trust - publications

Free personal protective equipment scheme

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) - 
This guidance outlines the details of the extension of the free personal protective equipment scheme which aims to protect frontline health care staff, the elderly and vulnerable and reduce pressure on the NHS. 

• Guidance

Building a resilient social care system in England: what can be learnt from the first wave of Covid-19?

Nuffield Trust - 
This report, written in collaboration with the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, analyses the structural and systemic factors that influenced that initial national response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Covid had far-reaching impacts on social care and exacerbated many longstanding issues. This work seeks to highlight progress and identify where action is needed to create a more resilient system.

• Report
• Nuffield Trust - publications

Deaths at home during the Covid-19 pandemic and implications for patients and services

Nuffield Trust - 
Statistics show that, since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, a third more people have died at home in England. This research sheds light on the services used by people who died at home in England, both before and during the first year of the pandemic, including looking at variation between socioeconomic and ethnic groups, and by cause of death. This report includes a perspective on the findings from a patient and public involvement group based on their own experiences of end-of-life care.

• Report
• Nuffield Trust - publications

Maternal health and care in London

London Assembly Health Committee - 

This report looks at the impact of the pandemic on maternal health and services in London, the impact of staffing shortages, and the inequalities that exist across maternal health outcomes. It sets out nine recommendations to improve services.

• Report
• More detail

Deaths at home during the Covid-19 pandemic and implications for patients and services

Nuffield Trust - 

This report sheds light on the services used by people who died at home in England, both before and during the first year of the pandemic, including looking at variation between socioeconomic and ethnic groups, and by cause of death. A patient and public involvement group provided an important perspective on the findings based on their own experiences of end-of-life care.

• Report
• More detail

 

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman scrutiny 2021–22

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee - 

This report of the annual scrutiny inquiry into the work of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) raised concerns with the PHSO continuing its policy of not considering less serious health complaints, introduced to reduce the backlog of cases resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Committee also noted that it received written evidence that expressed dissatisfaction with the PHSO’s handling of complaints, and that the organisation failed to meet its targets for time taken to close cases, as reported in its annual report and accounts.

• Report
• More detail

Pandemic preparedness for the real world: why we must invest in equitable, ethical and effective approaches to help prepare for the next pandemic

Institute of Development Studies -
This report warns the global health community to think beyond vaccines and lockdowns, proposing investment in a five point action framework for pandemic preparedness which responds to people’s experiences, knowledge and needs. The proposed five areas for investment are: health professionals; diverse knowledge, expertise and perspectives; reform of health, social and other systems and structures to support resilience to disease crises; people’s trust in politics; and ethics and social justice.

• Report
• Institute of Development Studies - news