Health Management and Policy Alert

Mental health inpatient settings: out of area placements

Health Services Safety Investigations Body -
This report finds that patients experience harm with the continued use of out of area placements for their mental health inpatient care. It explored what drives the need for out of area placements, and the impact on patients and families when they are placed far from their homes.

• Report
• Health Services Safety Investigations Body - news

Access to NHS dentistry: new polling findings, 2024

Healthwatch -
This report contains research on people’s understanding of NHS dentistry and what they want from the service as the government develops its ‘Dental Rescue Plan’. It reveals that most people in England have misconceptions about their 'right' to an NHS dentist and want changes to how they access dentistry.

• Report
• Healthwatch - press release

Data for people: principles and priorities for the collection, storage, sharing and use of data around care and support

Think Local Act Personal -
The government has made improving data in care a core part of its programme for reform. This report draws on the experiences of those who draw on care and support, as well as family and friend carers. It contains 15 key principles and 6 actions relating to the collection, storage, sharing, and use of data in care in England. It covers themes such as commitment to co-production, equity and inclusion, and trust and transparency.

• Report
• Think Local Act Personal - publications

Malnutrition and nutritional care survey in adults

British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition -
This report presents findings from the screening of 2,250 adults from across the UK. It aims to give a picture of the prevalence of malnutrition and the different nutritional care interventions implemented in various settings across the four nations. It found the highest rate of adults at risk of malnutrition since the survey’s commencement, at 48% of all those screened. 42% of those screened in care homes were at risk of malnutrition, increasing to 47% of those screened in hospital, and further still to 49% for patients at home.

• Report
• British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition - news

NHS hospital care: who is waiting and what are they waiting for?

Nuffield Trust -
This analysis from the Nuffield Trust and the Health Foundation reveals there are large differences between how long different groups of patients are waiting for NHS care in England. In particular, it shows how people from the most deprived areas are much more likely to say they are waiting for planned care, young people of Black ethnicity experience longer waits in A&E, and those waiting for gynaecological care face a hugely increased waiting list.

• Long read
• Nuffield Trust - press release

The state of health and care of older people in England 2024

Age UK - 

This analysis finds that two million older people in England are now living with some unmet need for social care. Drawing on the latest available data, the report concludes that England’s health and care services continue to be under enormous pressure so that, despite the best efforts of many dedicated staff, they are currently unable to meet the needs of all the older people presenting who require treatment, care and support.

• Report
• Press release

Testing the nation’s Eye Q: how smart are we when it comes to looking after our vision and eye health?

Thomas Pocklington Trust - 

One in three people will experience sight loss in their lifetime and half of this could be avoided, but this report has found that just one in four people consider routine eye tests as important for maintaining good eye health. The report also uncovered a shocking lack of awareness of ‘reg flag’ symptoms linked to sight-threatening eye conditions. The research was conducted as part of National Eye Health Week (19-25 September) on behalf of Eye Health UK and Thomas Pocklington Trust, and involved interviews with a representative sample of 2,077 UK adults aged 18+, taking place between 24 and 25 August 2022.

• Report
• Press release

Cervical screening, my way: women's attitudes and solutions to improve uptake of cervical screening

Healthwatch England - 

In 2023, NHS England set a target to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. This goal is set against declining levels of uptake by women of cervical screening over the past 20 years. This report investigates why some women are hesitant to go for screening and makes recommendations to policy makers on how to improve uptake and help meet the elimination goal. 

• Report
• Press release 

Independent investigation of the National Health Service in England

Department of Health and Social Care -
In July 2024, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care commissioned Lord Darzi to conduct an immediate and independent investigation of the NHS. Lord Darzi’s report provides an expert understanding of the current performance of the NHS across England and the challenges facing the health care system. Lord Darzi has considered the available data and intelligence to assess: patient access to health care; the quality of healthcare being provided; and the overall performance of the health system.

• Report
• Department of Health and Social Care - publications

People power: lessons from the health care response to the Grenfell Tower fire

The King's Fund - 

This report examines the health and care response to the Grenfell Tower disaster, how survivors, bereaved families and wider communities stepped in to make their voices heard, and the lessons health and care services across the country can learn.

• Report