Health and Care Integration
The public understands there has to be a way to foot the social care bill
What is concerning about the last few days’ debate on social care reform is just how narrow it has become, says Heather Jameson.
Health Bill could lead to more centralisation, claims commission
The Health and Care Bill could lead to a more centralised system, a cross-party commission has claimed.
Having children's services leads at ICS partnership talks is 'critical'
It is ‘absolutely critically important’ that children’s services are at the table in discussions about partnership working within integrated care systems (ICS), says an NHS policy expert.
Health and care improvement starts locally
Local health and care organisations must seize the initiative to improve people’s lives rather than waiting for the next overhaul by national government.
Chief execs – a vital part of change
The strategic leadership role of council chief executives in wider health and care systems is often under-appreciated, says Paul Najsarek, but if the Government wants to deliver meaningful change then they will have a crucial role to play.
Councils 'broadly support' focus of Health and Care Bill
Councils ‘broadly support’ the focus of the Health and Care Bill introduced into Parliament today on improving the health and wellbeing of the population, says the Local Government Association (LGA).
Counties can do the strategic and the local
The strategic abilities of local government to deliver national priorities locally and the real localism counties have shown could be a positive pandemic legacy, says Cllr Tim Oliver.
ICS: Listen to local government if we are to succeed in joining up health and care
David McKinney argues that Integrated Care Systems (ICS) will fall at the first hurdle if local authorities aren’t viewed and treated as equal partners.
HMJ: Unlocking the power of communities
Luca Tiratelli, senior policy researcher at New Local, argues the remedy for healthcare’s challenges is community power as it prevents problems from occurring in the first place
ICS blueprint sparks fears over ‘diluted’ partnerships
There is a risk the new integrated care system (ICS) partnership could have a more ‘diluted’ role than the NHS body, the NHS Confederation has said.
Commission calls for local government to chair ICS partnerships
Local government leaders or metro mayors should chair Integrated care systems (ICSs) partnerships, according to a new report from the cross-party Health Devolution Commission.
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.
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.
Call for council powers over school exclusions
Relations between schools and councils dominated an evidence-gathering session of the House of Lords' Public Services Committee.
Call for tax hike to fund social care
A commission led by The Lancet and London School of Economics has argued for a 1p increase to income tax, National Insurance and VAT to enable annual funding increases of 4%.
'Health is made at home, hospitals are for repairs'
Lord Nigel Crisp says coalitions of local interest have a vital role when it comes to improving lives. Councils as guardians of places will always have a key part to play, ‘whatever the future arrangements for managing health and social care’.
Social care ‘unfinished business’ for Tories
Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has said reform of the adult social care system is regarded as ‘unfinished business’ by the current government.
Welcome to ‘the Age of Intermediate Care’
An additional £1.3bn in COVID emergency funding last March ‘jump-started’ Intermediate Care, say Iain MacBeath and Ralph Cook. If this focus continues the results would be game-changing, they add.
Lack of ‘clarity’ hampering child protection
Improvements in multi-agency leadership locally and cross-government strategy nationally are required, Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission have told an inquiry.
Whole-system commissioning during the pandemic
Ewan King and Naheed Chaudhry look at how discharge to assess has placed strain on relationships between councils and hospitals during COVID-19 – and at how to rebuild a health partnership with the NHS.
