Blog

The government’s White Paper has done little to dispel concerns that reform of adult social care is faltering, says Simon Bottery.

Despite the recent criticism, the government’s proposed social care reforms are still a step forward, says Simon Bottery, but the acid test will be its imminent White Paper.

Simon Bottery explores reasons for the lack of younger workers in social care and finds snapshots of innovation among providers trying to reverse the trend.

Siva Anandaciva brings together the recent announcements on health and care spending from the Autumn Budget and Spending Review.

Mark Doughty shares a personal story, revealing the value and power of compassionate care and leadership at all levels.

The wider impacts of Covid-19 – the economic and social impacts on different communities – need to be a central focus of recovery work from the pandemic. Directors of public health have a key role to play, but this work requires community leadership, a well-resourced public health workforce and a sustained, whole-system effort, writes Deborah Fenney.

Provider collaboratives need to invest in developing clinical and professional leadership if they are to be truly collaborative and make a difference for patients, says Paula Head.

Evidence from around the world shows that a cap on costs is only one of several measures that will determine whether England moves towards a better social care system, writes Simon Bottery.

Directors of public health played a vital role in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. Now they - and the wider public health workforce - need a comprehensive and funded workforce plan in order to work on improving population health and tackling health inequalities.

Siva Anandaciva outlines why a health and care levy might not be enough to address the workforce challenges and growing waiting lists the NHS and social care are currently facing.

Amanda Pritchard’s appointment as Chief Executive of NHS England was seen as a triumph of the continuity candidate. But while the direction of reform will not change, there are real opportunities and a need for a new leadership style, as Sally Warren writes.

Rumours of government agreement on how to fund social care abound. Sally Warren explores what the public would expect to see in return for a tax rise to pay for social care.

The government’s ambitious new data strategy for health and social care has been published. But, says Pritesh Mistry, the strategy could suffer the same fate as previous data initiatives, unless the government focuses on gaining people’s trust and ensuring transparency.

The new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has arrived at a time of change. Sally Warren looks at the decisions he will need to take around the Covid-19 pandemic, the Health and Social Care Bill, public health and social care reform.

Chronic excessive workload is damaging staff health and quality of care. Organisations must name and address this issue for the sake of staff, patients and the health and care system.

One year after the NHS Nightingale hospitals first started to receive patients, Siva Anandaciva looks back and considers why these facilities were built, what they did, and what can be learnt from the experience.

The results of the NHS Staff Survey suggests that more needs to be done to support staff who identify as LGBTQ+. How can NHS organisations do this? Michael Alexander of GLADD, The Association of LGBTQ+ Doctors and Dentists offers some suggestions.

Digital health and care must work for as many as possible or we risk exacerbating inequalities. The vaccine rollout provides an unmissable opportunity to address longstanding gaps in care delivery.

As the lifespan of the 2020/21 NHS People Plan nears its end, it’s time to pause and reflect on how the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic may have shifted NHS workforce plans for the future. David Maguire considers how the Plan is shaping the NHS as an employer.

Sally Warren delves into the history of political calculations in social care… and calls on the current government to be tough enough to make hard choices.