Health Management and Policy Alert

A strain on sight: waiting for NHS specialist eye care

Healthwatch England - 

According to NHS statistics, of the nearly 59,000 people currently waiting for specialist eye care as of December 2024, only two thirds (66.8 per cent) have been waiting less than the 18-week target set by government, compared to a target of 92 per cent. This research reveals strong public support for greater use of staff in high street opticians. The report calls for optician services, including optometrists, to have more responsibility for managing people’s eye care and referring them on for specialist treatment to help cut waiting times. Additionally, actions such as those proposed in the Optometry First model are needed to improve communications and support for people waiting for eye care.

• Report
• Press release

Can the government achieve its 18-week elective waiting time target?

Institute for Fiscal Studies -
Modelling used in this report that shows meeting the NHS 18-week target by the end of this parliament will likely require historically large increases in activity alongside reductions in demand and greater prioritisation of those waiting a long time. It concludes that the government will more likely than not miss this 18-week waiting time target.

• Report
• Institute for Fiscal Studies - press release

Creating connections: understanding the mental health needs of young mums

Maternal Mental Health Alliance -
These resources aim to raise awareness of the specific barriers young mums face, the impact this has on their mental health, and highlight the importance of peer support in addition to statutory care.

• Resources
• Maternal Mental Health Alliance - news

 

Government response to the Women and Equalities Committee’s first report of session 2024 to 2025: women’s reproductive health conditions

Department of Health and Social Care - 
The original report highlights: important issues such as a lack of education and awareness of what a ‘normal’ period is or the symptoms of common reproductive health conditions; examples of delayed diagnoses; the importance of education and continued professional development for health care professionals; and the need for more research into women’s reproductive health conditions. This document details the government’s response to the recommendations made and sets out the work being done to improve care for all.

• Report
• Department of Health and Social Care - publications

Can trauma cards help people access healthcare?

Healthwatch England - 

Millions of people in England have experienced trauma, now or in the past. This report finds trauma can affect people’s ability to get care. Trauma cards – wallet-sized cards that a person with trauma can give to a healthcare professional – explain that the holder has experience of trauma, and link to resources to help provide sensitive, appropriate care. The report gives the results of a YouGov nationally representative poll of adults living in England to understand how trauma cards might benefit people more widely.

• Report
• Press release

State of the state 2025

Reform - 
This report, published in partnership with Deloitte, explores key issues facing the UK government and public services. It is based on an Ipsos public poll, and more than 80 interviews with public sector leaders. It aims to provide both an insider’s view of the challenges facing an incoming government, and a citizen’s view of what matters and how government is performing.

• Report
• Reform - publications

Things can only get better?: public perceptions of health and care under the new government

The Health Foundation - 
This survey looks at public attitudes to health and care under the new government. Results show that making it easier to get appointments at GP practices has risen to the top of the public’s priorities for the NHS. It found strong support among the English public for the three ‘shifts’ that are set to be the focus of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan for the NHS. Focusing on preventing sickness not just treating it is the most popular shift (86% support this being a top priority for the government), followed by moving more care from hospitals to communities (82%) and making better use of technology (73%).

• Briefing
• The Health Foundation - press release

Does healthcare deliver?: results from the Patient Reported Indicator Surveys (PaRIS)

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) - 

This report finds that there is an urgent need to adapt healthcare systems to better meet the needs of the growing number of people with chronic health conditions. The survey collected data from about 107,000 patients aged 45 years and older, and 1,800 primary care practices across 19 countries and aimed to shed light on the health outcomes and experiences of people living with chronic conditions.

• Report
• Press release

Experience of care improvement framework

NHS England - 

This is guidance to support providers in their work to improve the patient experience of care. It is an update of the original 2018 version (Patient experience improvement framework) and includes links to relevant strategy, policy and good practice documents.

• Guidance
• More detail

Lost in the system: the need for better admin

The King's Fund - 

2 out of 3 people say they've had a problem with NHS admin in the past year. We explore the impact these experiences are having on public perceptions of the NHS and what could be done to make things better.

• Long read