Publications

The short term hotchpot of measures taken by the government does nothing to stem the growing pressures on social care, says Richard Humphries.

The current fragmented system of commissioning is clearly unsustainable. While the idea of integrated commissioning is an old one, the approach to achieving it must be decidedly new, writes Lillie Wenzel.

This edition of Public Finance Perspectives explores the strategies needed to align and integrate local public services across traditional organisational boundaries. In his essay, Chris Ham argues that health payment systems are not fit for the purpose of providing integrated, patient-centred care.

Richard Humphries reviews recent policy initiatives to achieve the closer integration of health and social care.

As the post-election dust settles, the Queen’s speech confirms that the integration of health and social care continues as a headline policy commitment, with the better care fund and ‘DevoManc’ as flagship policies intended to make this happen. But will they be enough?

Rather than prescribe a one size fits all solution, an approach agreed locally by CCGs and local authorities is the best way forward for integrated care, says Richard Humphries.

This publication was commissioned by the Local Government Association to capture the thoughts of councillors, directors of public health, providers, commissioners, academics and other key opinion formers on the challenges and opportunities devolution could bring in terms of improving the public's health. Read David Buck's chapter.

The experience of Blue Cross and Blue Shield in the US offers lessons for the NHS about some of the ingredients needed to improve population health, says Hugh Alderwick.

Social care for older people will be increasingly important as our population ages. So why the silence from politicians?

We speak to writer Nicci Gerrard about her father's hospital care, and her campaign – John's Campaign – that calls for the families and carers of people with dementia to be allowed to remain with them in hospital for as many hours of the day and night as necessary.

All political parties have endorsed NHS plans for greater integration of care in the next parliament. Chris Ham and colleagues use US experience to suggest what is needed to make it happen.

Hugh Alderwick and Chris Naylor discuss provider-led approaches to integration.

Politicians must look for evidence-based solutions and avoid the NHS becoming a political football, says Chris Ham.

Individual episodes of care may be excellent but too often continuity and co-ordination are lacking, says Chris Ham.