Health
Lifting lockdown on June 21 'risks reversing progress,' public health directors warn
Lifting lockdown measures on June 21 ‘risks reversing the significant progress we have made,’ the vice-president of the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) has warned.
Councils call for procurement freedom
Removal of red tape during the COVID-19 pandemic has shown what can be done, officers have told the House of Lords' Public Services Committee.
Councils demand 'urgent' increase in vaccine supply
Councils have warned the Government ‘inadequate and uncertain supplies’ of jabs are holding back vaccination efforts.
Problem solvers
PPMA:Solve has been created to provide extra support for members and the public sector generally in this time of crisis, to offer HR and OD capacity and expertise when needed, says Leatham Green.
Buckinghamshire’s break for success
Martin Tett looks at how Buckinghamshire Council’s unitary status removed some barriers to successfully responding to the COVID crisis and how it is now tackling residents’ mental health and wellbeing as it moves towards a greener future.
Organisations need wellbeing too
IMPOWER’s Resilience Framework – produced in conjunction with eight councils and the County Councils’ Network – looks at how workforces can adapt to disruption ranging from small events to the largest crisis in decades. Jon Ainger explains.
Edinburgh’s next chapter
The last 15 months have emphasised the City of Edinburgh Council’s strengths as an organisation, says Andrew Kerr. He reviews what has been achieved and looks ahead at the future strategic priorities for its workforce and the city.
Our response to COVID was delivered through collaboration, not in isolation
The pandemic has opened up many opportunities for Hampshire DC and Havant BC to work alongside partners from the health service and ensure better outcomes for residents, says Gill Kneller.
Health spending rises by record quarter
Spending on taxpayer-funded health services rose by a record 25% to £220bn last year as the NHS battled with pandemic costs, according to latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Surrey becomes first English council to provide free period products
Surrey CC has become the first local authority in England to provide free period products.
Cummings: Care home shielding claim nonsense
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s former chief adviser has described government suggestions that care homes were shielded in the pandemic as ‘complete nonsense’.
The pandemic has proven our mettle
As a ‘mature’ integrated care system West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership has already led to positive changes in many services, says Rob Webster.
Connecting up for care and wellbeing
New remote monitoring approaches in London should enable care home residents and those living with long-term conditions in their own housing to get the healthcare they need, says Fay Sibley.
Councils to pilot new self-isolation support scheme
Nine local authorities have been chosen to pilot new ways of supporting people needing to self-isolate.
Who are parks for? Facing up to inequality in access to urban nature
A report from Groundwork highlights the barriers some face in accessing parks and natural spaces. Fay Holland says councils could make a huge difference to the issue.
Making ‘build, build, build’ a reality
Having listened to the Queen’s Speech, Cllr Darren Rodwell worries the Government is ‘overly fixated on misguided reforms to the planning system’. He puts forward his policy wish list.
Lack of social care plans could ‘destabilise’ reforms
Local authority leaders have warned that the absence of a long-term, fully funded plan for social care could destabilise other health and care reforms.
More than 100 leisure centres could go bust, DCN warns
More than 100 leisure centres in England could go bust due to the coronavirus crisis, district councils have warned.
Javid: Devolution crucial in levelling up
Former local government secretary Sajid Javid has stressed the importance of devolution in the drive towards levelling up the country.
We need to avoid a fractured, inefficient and uneven model of recovery
Any improvement to local facilities, whether economic, leisure, hardship or climate-related, should be planted in a future that communities can recognise and buy into, argues Lawrence Conway.
