Health
Putting healthcare’s vision first
Matthew Taylor says the challenge is to enable what happens in the NHS – the ‘industrial system’ – to succeed while also becoming more aligned with the wider ambition of the social model
Putting health first across the council
With entries now open for The MJ Achievement Awards 2024, there is a great chance to celebrate the work councils are doing to create healthy places, say Katherine Merrifield and Gwen Nightingale.
The way ahead for awarding health service contracts
The Provider Selection Regime will lead to more transparency in the award of health service contracts, and local authorities will need to monitor their compliance and publish annual summaries, says Mary Mundy.
Time for local and national action on hospital pressures
The County Councils Network's new report with Newton shows the causes of winter pressures are more complex than the prevailing narrative and sets out solutions to make the system work better, says James Maker.
Creative solution are emerging to enable the leisure sector to thrive
The financial difficulties of the last few years have led many leisure centres to the edge of closure. William Benson sets out the challenges but says there is still plenty of room for optimism.
CCN Report - Winter pressure focus on home and community support could save £2.5bn
A new report has argued £2.5bn could be saved if funding to address health and social care winter pressures focused on home and community support.
Millions of pounds in extra savings needed in social care, survey reveals
Council social care leaders are having to find millions of pounds of extra savings this year as winter pressures approach, a survey has revealed.
Embracing the challenge
Cllr Tim Oliver sets the scene for the upcoming CCN conference, which looks ahead to the future while firmly keeping its footing on today’s challenging local government environment.
Unlocking the power of peers in mental health support
Peer support for people with mental health needs is having a broad impact in Southwark, including better access to support, new career paths and better health outcomes, says Salil Meech Mazumdar.
NAO slams progress on adult social care reform
The Government’s progress on adult social care reform has been slammed in a damning report by the National Audit Office (NAO).
Adult directors reveal limited availability of preventative services as NHS pressures grow
Adult social care directors have highlighted the limited availability of preventative services as the NHS adjusts its waiting list plans amid heightened pressure on hospitals.
Housing for health – the ICS challenge
Steve Barwick and Phil Hope set out the key issues and the five recommendations emerging from a Health Devolution Commission roundtable on housing and health.
King's Speech: Increased funding for mental health and smoking cessation
The King’s Speech has promised ministers will invest at least £2.3bn a year so an extra two million people can get mental health support.
Dealing with weather’s extremes
Maria Van-Hove and Dr Charlotte Parbery-Clark look at how local authorities in the UK can support actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change, highlighting examples of good practice .
Councils are stepping in to address the public health policy gap
Gains in life expectancy have stalled and inequalities are rising. Adam Briggs of the Health Foundation looks at what local authorities can do to protect their communities from tobacco, alcohol, and junk food.
Ripple effect for carbon zero homes
Six Essex councils are set to dive into solving the housing, energy and health challenges faced across the country. Paul Marinko hears how their pitch to the Solace Summit is for others to join and share in the learning.
Government must revert to previous home improvement support levels at minimum
Dr Carole Easton asks why we spend more money maintaining Parliament than on home improvement grants for all of England’s 20m privately rented and owner occupied homes.
Delivering a vital service
The flexibility given to councils to manage the provision of the Holiday Activity and Food Programme has enabled a much more cross-departmental and preventative approach, says Tom Neill
A springboard to better wellbeing
Social prescribing is about more than health and represents a chance to transform relationships towards real co-production of community wellbeing, says Dr Koen Bartels.
Party conferences are a golden opportunity for districts
In party conference season the hope is that collectively councillors can influence their party’s leadership, relevant think-tanks, MPs and prospective MPs, says chairman of the District Councils' Network Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen.
