Health and social care
Can I protect my home from care home fees?
The recent Channel 4 Dispatches programme "How to avoid the Dementia Tax" explored the "political hot potato" that is the provision of social care. An increasing number of elderly people are being forced to sell their homes to pay for care fees. With the number of 85 year olds set to double by 2030, this is a situation that is only going to get more critical. More …
All 44 STPs published – but what do we know?
I am surprised that health commentators are surprised at the lack of detail in the STP proposals that have been published this week, what did we really expect? More …
STPs: More engagement, less speed - the inconvenient truth(s)
The recent stories of STP plans being leaked by disgruntled local authorities almost makes me feel sorry for the impossible task facing the band of reluctant STP leaders. More …
The NHS Planning Guidance: play nicely - and do it quick
No one can say they have not been told now. The NHS Planning Guidance published yesterday makes a number of things very clear. More …
The challenges for STPs
Our Chairman Bruce Potter discusses Nuffield Trust's paper on 'Sustainability and Transformation Plans: What we know so far.' and how the common themes are starting to emerge. More …
Slow August news: why Sustainability and Transformation Plan proposals are a public matter
Everyone expects some slow news days in August, especially after the wild excesses of the Brexit pantomime, and then the heady patriotic delight of the Olympics, but the Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) proposals as national headline news - are you serious? More …
Talking healthcare - an effective national debate
This week, I read the Nuffield Trust's report 'Feeling the Crunch'; another report highlighting the continuing crisis in NHS finance. Last week a report indicated (not for the first time) that the NHS is the most efficient health system in Europe. More …
Not another league table…the new Commissioner rankings and the need for scale
My heart sank (for CCG leaders) when I heard that CCGs now face a further, public, ranking exercise by NHS England. More …
There's a lot going on with NHS workforce matters…
It is 68 years ago yesterday, that the NHS was born. However, whilst yesterday might be its birthday, it seems a more challenging time than ever for the NHS, particularly in relation to its current workforce, and that of its future. Firstly, we are still coming to terms with the way in which Brexit will impact the NHS workforce and its existing challenge of recruitment. More …
Brexit and innovation in the NHS
The NHS is facing unprecedented challenge, yet it still delivers wonderful care. Will Brexit bring a staffing crisis and more financial pressure? More …