Summary
In preparation for the NHS’s 70th Birthday on July 5th 2018, numerous think-tanks and individuals have been authoring timely reports on the current state of the NHS and social care, complete with no shortage of recommendations for change / improvement.
When compared internationally with health systems in similar countries, the NHS does betray notable weaknesses, mostly in terms of health care outcomes and cancer survival rates.
Reference
Triggle, N. (2018). NHS ‘poor’ on treating deadly illnesses. London: BBC Health News, June 26th 2018.
This relates to:
Reference
Dayan, M. Ward, D. Gardner, T. [and] Kelly, E. (2018). How good is the NHS? London: Health Foundation, Institute for Fiscal Studies, King’s Fund [and] Nuffield Trust, June 2018.
A Solution For Adult Social Care: Due This Autumn?
The Lord Darzi Review of Health and Care has produced an influential ten-point plan for better health and social care:
Reference
Better health and care for all: a 10-point plan for the 2020s. The Lord Darzi Review of Health and Care: final report. London: Institute for Public Policy Research, June 2018.
There is also an Executive Summary.
This raises the obvious “who pays and how?” question:
Reference
Triggle, N. (2018). Tax over-40s for old age care, say MPs. London: BBC Health News, June 27th 2018.
Personal experiences and comments on the unfairness of means tested social care under current arrangements:
Reference
Holt, A. (2014). ‘It’s like Michael walking into a fog’. London: BBC Health News, June 26th 2018.
LGA Green Paper on Adult Social Care
A green paper from the Local Government Association (LGA) on how the adult social care system should be improved and funded sustainably:
Reference
The lives we want to lead: the LGA green paper for adult social care and wellbeing. London: Local Government Association, July 2018.
International Comparisons of Long-Term Social Care Funding and Outcomes
An Incisive Health report explores characteristics, funding and outcomes of social care internationally across developed countries (Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Japan compared with England).
Reference
An international comparison of long-term care funding and outcomes: insights for the social care green paper. [London]: Incisive Health, September 2018.
Further Commentaries on Changes in the NHS (and Society) Since 1948
BBC News statistics:
Reference
Triggle, N. (2018). The history of the NHS in charts. London: BBC Health News, June 24th 2018.
Rising patient demand and expectations: patients are now older, fatter, more numerous, more complex / costly and more demanding:
Reference
Mosley, M. (2018). Being back in the NHS ‘reminded me of Afghanistan’. London: BBC Health News, June 28th 2018.
Some rule of thumb broad-brush predictions:
Reference
Triggle, N. (2018). Forget 70 – what will the NHS look like at 100? London: BBC Health News, June 29th 2018.
July 2018 Cabinet Re-Shuffle
A consequence of the Brexit fall-out / turmoil is that Matt Hancock is the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care:
Reference
Pym, H. (2018). New leadership, same old problems. London: BBC Health News, July 10th 2018.
An early statement of ambitions for the future of the NHS and on the potential of technology to improve healthcare.
Reference
Matt Hancock writes in the Health Service Journal about his admiration for the NHS and its staff. [Online]: Department of Health and Social Care [and] Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, July 12th 2018.
Investment in Tech Transformation
£487 million has been pledged for improving technology in the NHS.
Reference
Low NHS morale is ‘heartbreaking’ says Matt Hancock. London: BBC Health News, July 20th 2018.
