Public health
Whitty fears public may ignore restrictions
England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty has voiced concerns the public may not comply with future COVID-19 restrictions if they become necessary.
Finding evidence to support the 'bleedin' obvious'
Abdool Kara asks why such a small proportion of health money is devoted to preventative activities. 'It can only be because the Department of Health or HM Treasury are not convinced by the evidence.'
The good, the bad and the ugly
If the Government is to hit its goals on integration, prevention and health inequality it needs to fund the NHS, social care and public health properly. But the Spending Review was a mixed picture, says Rob Whiteman.
MPs say Test and Trace was expensive failure
The NHS Test and Trace (NHST&T) was an expensive flop that relied too much on consultants and did not stop the spread of coronavirus, MPs have said.
Let's take our chance to get things right on the health gap
Ten years after Professor Marmot’s initial report the health gap has grown, says Gill Kneller. Along with other partners, local councils have a key role to play in connecting with communities to turn this curve, she believes.
Local authorities are essential partners in the fight against health inequalities
Tom Gardiner and Stephen Bradley of the Fabian Society highlight a new collection of essays offering a suite of policy approaches for tackling health inequalities in a post-pandemic era. The role of local government is crucial, they say.
Blackburn with Darwen public health director to retire
Professor Dominic Harrison was a leading figure in pressing for local test and trace systems during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Think-tank in call for wellbeing budgets
The Government should introduce ‘wellbeing budgets’ that look beyond gross domestic product (GDP) to reduce regional health inequalities, a think-tank has urged.
Leading the warriors out of COVID
Jim McManus talks to Martin Ford about the impact of the COVID crisis on directors of public health and says we need to take the opportunity to learn the lessons of the pandemic so that we are ready in the future.
Imagining a health-led recovery
The Health Foundation says local government should be at the heart of driving forward the strategy to improve and level up health, and thereby the economy – but how can this best work in practice? Ann McGauran reports.
Let’s not rebrand health inequalities
Health inequalities does not feel like a ‘safe’ phrase, nor should it be, says Rachel Flowers. ‘If we used words that dilute the impact of this harsh phrase it might start feeling too comfortable,’ she explains.
We need an equal partnership between the NHS and councils on health and care
When is a local health and care partnership not a partnership? If we are not careful when it's an integrated care system, say Phil Hope and Steve Barwick.
White van man on... public health
I’m no fan of the health nannies and in my view, if I want a daily full English with double bubble and fries on the side, that’s my funeral.
Public health grant cuts run counter to levelling up, say experts
Real terms cuts to local public health work against levelling up and the Government must boost funding after years of underinvestment, say two leading health organisations.
‘Dig deep and continue’
A ‘huge’ unvaccinated group of six million adults and deepening inequalities are among the risks as communities begin to move towards economic and social recovery. Ann McGauran reports.
Starfish Talent 20 – People
In the second installment of the Starfish Talent 20, we put a spotlight on 20 leaders of the future, this time focusing on children’s and adult social care, education, communities and public health.
HMJ: Health in the North hit hardest by COVID-19, finds report
Northerners were more likely to die and be hospitalised due to COVID-19 in the first year of the pandemic compared with the rest of England, a report has found.
HMJ: Sector’s mixed reaction to mandatory COVID-19 vaccines
Making COVID-19 and flu vaccinations mandatory for all frontline health and care workers would help level the playing field between the NHS and social care, Care England has argued.
Government fails to consult DPHs on winter plan
Public health directors have hit out at a lack of engagement by the government in developing its autumn/winter COVID-19 plan.
Delivering public health post-pandemic
Dr Sakthi Karunanithi and Stephen Young look at what if anything the experience of dealing with the pandemic has taught us over the last 18 months and ponder the public health mission ahead .
