Health Management and Policy Alert

Strengthening health systems through nursing: evidence from 14 European countries

European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies - 

This book explores the variations in structure and organization of the nursing workforce across the different countries of Europe. As health systems shift radically in response to rising demand, the role of nurses becomes even more important. The book is part of a two-volume study on the contributions that nurses make to strengthening health systems. The aim is to raise the profile of nursing within health policy and draw the attention of decision-makers.

• Book
• More detail

Integrated volunteering approaches in STP/ICS Programme

NHS England - 

These documents provide details about the Integrated Volunteering Approaches in Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STP)/Integrated Care Systems (ICS) Programme 2019, including an expression of interest form.

Documents

Welcome! An induction guide for social prescribing link workers in primary care networks

NHS England - 

The welcome pack includes useful information to help link workers in primary care networks find out more about their role and what support is available.

• Guide
• More detail

Government response to the Health and Social Care Select Committee report on Drugs policy: medicinal cannabis

Department of Health and Social Care - 

This command paper sets out the government’s  response to the conclusions and recommendations of the Select Committee's report published in July 2019.

• Command paper
• More detail

Duty of care? The impact on midwives of NHS charging for maternity care

Maternity Action - 

This is the first study to investigate the impact of the policy of charging ‘overseas visitors’ for NHS care on midwives’ practice or professional responsibilities. This study aimed to explore midwives’ experience of looking after women who had been charged, especially in relation to the impact of NHS charging on their professional practice.

• Report
• More detail

UK Chief Medical Officers' physical activity guidelines

Department of Health and Social Care - 

These guidelines are for health professionals, policymakers and others working to promote physical activity, sport and exercise for health benefits. They emphasise the importance of building strength and balance for adults, and include recommendations for pregnant women, new mothers and disabled people.

• Guidelines
• Press release

Pour decisions? : the case for reforming alcohol duty

Social Market Foundation -
This report says that duty on alcohol should be dramatically overhauled so that the stronger a drink is, the more tax it incurs. It proposes a shift in the burden of taxation towards high-strength drinks bought for consumption at home, and away from weaker products bought in pubs and bars.

• Report
• Social Market Foundation - press release

Achieving integrated care: 15 best practice actions

Local Government Association -
The 15 actions prioritised in this resource draw on evidence about what works from international research, emerging best practices and engagement with Local Government Association stakeholders and partners. The actions are aligned with national policy, legal frameworks and regulatory guidance but also allow for local variety in system design and service delivery.

• Report
• Local Government Association - publications

What should be done to fix the crisis in social care?

The Health Foundation -
This briefing lists five priorities for the government following an assessment of the evidence and analysis of the costs of reform. The priorities include stabilising and sustaining the current system and providing social protection against care costs.

• Briefing

Elevation, registration & standardisation: the professionalisation of social care workers

All-Party Parliamentary Group on Social Care - 

This report, based on a six-month inquiry, calls for the professionalisation of social care workers. The inquiry gathered evidence from care workers, employers and sector organisations and charities. It found these vial roles are undervalued and under invested in which impacts on the ability to attract and retain people to work in the sector.

• Report
• APPG Social Care website