Public health
Call for 'surge vaccine supplies' as Indian variant spreads
Local public health experts have asked the Government for ‘surge vaccine supplies’ amid anxiety over the spread of the Indian variant of coronavirus.
Local elections 2021: The system creaked in the face of the number of polls
There were a variety of problems both ahead of and during polling day, says Peter Stanyon.
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%.
Creating a shared city for all
Coventry is UK City of Culture 2021 and a Marmot City. Martin Reeves and Liz Gaulton explain how a sustainable, accessible and resilient city centre is being built, with a focus on health and wellbeing.
Treasury to look at public health spending
Councils are facing increased scrutiny from central government over their use of public health funding.
Should you track your staff’s COVID testing and vaccination status?
Testing and vaccination status are sensitive topics, says Marta Kalas. She recommends starting an open discussion with your staff, alongside a plan.
The case for remote meetings to continue
The Local Government Act 1972 permits council meetings to take place virtually, argue John Austin and Quentin Baker. A change in the law is not required, in their view.
Now is the time to retain remote meetings
Parliamentary time was found for flags and statues, says Cllr Brigid Jones. For virtual meetings ‘I’m sure the safety of 20,000 councillors can’t be much further down the priority list’, she adds.
What is the future role of directors of public health?
As the COVID-19 pandemic has gripped the nation, the profile of directors of public health (DPH) has risen massively. So what does the role look like now?
Sector urged not to give up on health devolution
The sector should not give up on securing future health devolution deals despite the Government’s ‘centralising tendency,’ experts have urged.
We need more frontline funding for local public health teams
It will be vital that Government provides greater frontline funding for local public health teams whose work will be essential if we are to build back successfully and better protect ourselves from future outbreaks, says Cllr James Jamieson.
‘My pandemic isn’t over until yours is’
To build back better after COVID-19 we must start to view the health of our population as an asset, says Alice Wiseman – and this means investing in the conditions that create it.
Councils granted powers over public events
Local authorities are preparing for public events to resume with powers to impose restrictions or issue bans on public health grounds.
Fears over public health 'fragmentation'
The Government’s overhaul of public health has raised fears of a ‘fragmentation’ of the system among councils.
The NHS is sacrosanct – local government not so much
Ben Page says the public is becoming more positive about the future and about both the NHS and Government’s ability to deal with whatever comes next. 'And local government has generally performed strongly in dealing with massive dislocation'.
Home secretary urges councils to house asylum seekers
Home secretary Priti Patel has urged local authorities to identify further accommodation to house asylum seekers following the closure of a controversial temporary site in Wales.
Public health funding frozen or cut for 100 councils
Spending per capita has fallen for 31 authorities and frozen for a further 69 after new spending commitments are taken into account.
Public health director highlights local rise in COVID cases
A director of public health has highlighted a local rise in cases of COVID-19 as modelling finds the country is ‘highly likely’ to be hit by a third wave of infections once lockdown ends.
Our residents are real self-isolation heroes – and leading our county’s recovery
Hertfordshire’s recent Self-Isolation Support Day showed a very high proportion of residents clearly trying to do the right thing, helped by community organisations, says Professor Jim McManus.
Harnessing effective comms – the Hounslow way
The part played by Hounslow LBC’s communications team in ensuring residents were effectively made aware of what was happening during the pandemic is one element which may have changed the borough forever, says John Dale.
