Health
Financial uncertainty forcing councils to award shorter contracts
The Government should offer subsidised loans to cash-strapped councils to encourage them to award longer contracts to organisations that support children with mental health difficulties, a think-tank has urged.
Stephenson steps down after post axed
Derbyshire CC’s chief executive has stepped down after the council agreed to abolish the post along with that of assistant chief executive and strategic director of corporate resources.
An intermediate solution
With demands increasing on hospitals and care services, good intermediate care has never been more important, writes Ewan King.
The road ahead for managing social care
Sean Nolan looks at the conflicts ahead for the social care green paper and outlines some of the key approaches CIPFA will be investigating.
Councils win legal battle with health boards
Health boards in Wales ‘misinterpreted’ the law over who is responsible for paying for nurses to deliver social care in residential homes, a court has ruled.
Stretched councils criticise ministers for 'passing buck' on air quality
Council directors have piled in on the Government’s Clean Air Strategy, claiming ministers have shifted the burden of implementing ‘politically unpalatable’ measures onto overstretched authorities.
Good health starts at the district level
John Fuller reveals plans to open a conversation with government and the NHS about ‘prevention precept’ that recognises districts' role in reducing demand in the care system.
Councillors have not been engaged in STP development
Less than 25% of councillors in England feel that they have been engaged in shaping the NHS’ sustainability and transformation partnerships (STPs), according to a new survey conducted by the Local Government Association (LGA).
Call for mental health impact in council reports
Every council report should detail the potential impact decisions will have on residents’ mental health, a NHS board member has urged.
A grand plan for the future of care
With social care firmly on the political agenda, Patrick O’Brien looks at the latest Localis report on joining up health and social care.
A bleak snapshot of social care
Sam Clayden analyses the findings of this year’s ADASS budget survey, which uncovers troubling trends for a sector already stretched to its limits.
Directors’ dismay over Hunt’s bed-blocking funding threats
Adult social care directors have been left ‘very disappointed’ after the Government threatened to take away funding from areas that failed to reduce bed-blocking.
Number of patients with long waits on trolleys soaring by over 6,000%
There has been a rise of more than 6,000% in the number of patients waiting 12 hours on trolleys as hospital overcrowding reaches a record high, NHS figures show.
Record waiting times for patients’ operations, RCS study reveals
The number of patients waiting six months or more for surgery has trebled over the past four years in England, says the Royal College of Surgeons.
HMJ EU pensioners could cost the NHS an extra £500m a year
The NHS could face extra costs of £500m a year if retired British citizens now living in Europe, who no longer qualify for care post-Brexit, return to the UK, says a report from a healthcare think-tank.
HMJ The challenges ahead for health and care
Chris Hopson looks at the keys to ensuring the future of the NHS and an effective care system.
Are ACOs the future for care?
At St Helens on Merseyside, health and local government are working together to create an accountable care organisation to ease pressure on care and health services. Heather Jameson reports.
Brokering constructive conversations
Co-production and engaging with residents can help implement new models of care, at a time when the issues are at their most ‘wicked’, writes Ewan King.
Salford’s successful healthcare transition
Salford’s Integrated Care Organisation, now a year old, is blazing a trail for future health and care systems, not just for the council, its local partners and Greater Manchester, but for the country as a whole. Sam Clayden reports.
Integration hesitation is harming patients
A reluctance on the part of some council bosses to progress health and care integration talks is depriving patients of the best treatment, a Greater Manchester council chief has warned.