Health Management and Policy Alert

Covid-19: guidance for those leading a nomadic way of life

Public Health England -
This guidance covers what to do if someone develops symptoms of Covid-19 when living on a traveller site, in a vehicle or on a canal boat.

• Guidance
• Public Health England - publications

Making history: health visiting during Covid-19

Institute of Health Visiting - 

This collection of case studies presents a window into the working lives of health visitors and families navigating the ups and downs of the Covid-19 pandemic. The case studies, family stories and creative pieces contained capture the pace and scale of change as health visiting services adapted to working during “lockdown”.

• Case studies
• More details

 

Women’s lives, women’s rights: strengthening access to contraception beyond the pandemic

All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Sexual and Reproductive Health (APPG SRH) - 

The APPG SRH opened this inquiry in 2019, in response to reports of women being unable to access contraception in a way that meets their needs. Evidence submissions were reopened in May 2020 in order to examine the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's access to contraception. The report finds that women in England are facing difficulty in accessing contraception, with many being bounced from service to service, which can result in more unplanned pregnancies and increased demand for maternity and abortion care. The APPG SRH states that the national reorganisation of public health is an opportunity to tackle funding and commissioning challenges in sexual and reproductive healthcare.

• Report
• More detail

‘It’s everywhere’: alcohol’s public face and private harm

Commission on Alcohol Harm - 

This Commission was set up by alcohol health experts and Parliamentarians to examine the full extent of alcohol harm across the UK. In this, their final report, the Commission outlines recommendations for reducing harm and calls for a national strategy for alcohol.

• Report
• More detail

Childhood obesity

National Audit Office -
This report examines the effectiveness of the government’s approach to reducing childhood obesity in England by considering the evidence base and progress so far. It focuses on children as dealing with obesity early in life prevents future costs and obesity-related health problems. It also focuses on preventive measures rather than treatment. The report sets out: levels and trends in childhood obesity; government action to reduce childhood obesity; and local authorities’ role in reducing childhood obesity.

• Report
• National Audit Office - press release

Rolling out social prescribing: understanding the experience of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector

National Voices -
This report sets out the findings of research conducted by National Voices for NHS England to explore the perspectives and experiences of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in relation to the NHS rollout of social prescribing. National Voices spoke to over 300 people through a series of interviews, workshops and online engagements between December 2019 and June 2020.

• Report
• National Voices - publications

The black community and human rights

Joint Committee on Human Rights -
The Joint Committee on Human Rights commissioned ClearView Research to conduct polling about black people’s experiences in the UK in relation to whether they feel their human rights are equally protected. The research found, amongst other things, that the majority of black people (over 60 per cent) in the UK do not believe their health is as equally protected by the NHS compared to white people.

• Report
• Joint Committee on Human Rights - publications

Worlds of influence: understanding what shapes child well-being in rich countries

Unicef - 
This report looks at children from the world’s richest countries and offers a mixed picture of their health, skills and happiness. For many, issues such as poverty, exclusion and pollution threaten their mental well-being, physical health and opportunities to develop skills. It finds that even countries with good social, economic and environmental conditions are a long way from meeting the targets set in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

• Report
• Unicef - publications

The Health Foundation Covid-19 survey – second poll: a report of survey findings

The Health Foundation -
This report presents the findings of a survey commissioned by the Health Foundation and conducted by Ipsos MORI between 17 and 29 July 2020. The results highlight a significant change in the public’s perceptions towards the Government’s handling of Covid-19 and the measures it has taken to tackle the outbreak so far.

• Report
• The Health Foundation - publications

Social prescribing

House of Commons Library -
Social prescribing is a means for GPs and other healthcare professionals to refer patients via a link worker to non-clinical services in the local community. Social prescribing link workers help people to understand the underlying issues affecting their health and wellbeing and work with them to co-produce a personalised care and support plan. This paper details the development of social prescribing policies in England and provides an overview of schemes in the devolved nations.

• Research briefing
• House of Commons Library - publications