Health Policy

Getting more out of our medicines

20.06.18: Paul Chrisp, programme director of medicines and technologies at NICE, describes how the organisation is re-purposing drugs in order to improve patient care quickly and cost-effectively. Developing new medicines and then ensuring they are u...

A hostile environment

20.06.18: Dr Terry John, chair of the BMA’s international committee, gives his thoughts on the government’s visa and immigration policy and its effect on the recruitment of foreign healthcare professionals. Aspects of the government&rsquo...

The Memorandum of Understanding: Privacy at risk

20.06.18: The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Home Office and NHS Digital meant that patient data and confidentiality was being put at risk and undermined the principles of the NHS, writes Dr Sarah Wollaston, chair of the Health and Social C...

Hawking-backed fight against ‘unlawful’ NHS privatisation reaches High Court

23.05.18: Legal proceedings will begin today at the High Court with a campaign group challenging the government over plans to implement accountable care organisations (ACOs), which they claim is an attempt to increase private services operating in the NHS...

All women to have access to perinatal mental health services by next year

10.05.18: New and expectant mums will be able to access specialist mental health community services across the country by next April, NHS England has announced. The NHS will spend £23m on rolling out the second wave of community perinatal services...

RCP supports fresh public health approach to ‘war on drugs’

30.04.18: The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has voiced its support for the Royal Society of Public Health’s (RSPH’s) report ‘Taking a New Line on Drugs,’ which calls for illicit drug use to be decriminalised and made a public h...

Tax on sugary drinks ‘will help ease obesity epidemic’, says RCGP

06.04.18: Today, the UK’s tax on sugary drinks came into effect as part of the government’s flagship anti-obesity policy. This new tax comes into effect as obesity-related illnesses continue to put a strain on the NHS and public health at...

NHS England and NHSI look to integrate working practices into seven regional teams

28.03.18: NHS England and NHS Improvement have announced major changes designed to bring the organisations closer together. Plans will be presented to NHS England’s board this Thursday to establish new working arrangements from September 2018. ...

RCN launches member survey on decriminalisation of abortions

16.02.18: The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has launched a UK-wide survey, quizzing its members for their views on decriminalising abortions. The online survey, which runs until Sunday 18 March 2018, will help the RCN to form a position on the issue...

Hunt orders review into gross negligence manslaughter in healthcare

06.02.18: Jeremy Hunt has ordered an urgent review into how gross negligence manslaughter is applied in healthcare, amidst concerns over the Dr Bawa-Garba case. In 2015 Hadiza Bawa-Garba was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence and suspended...

NHS to stop advertising legal firms offering health litigation services

30.01.18: NHS hospitals will no longer provide office or advertising space for companies who encourage patients or their families to take the NHS to court, according to new rules. The changes come following a consultation, and have been introduced throug...

Child health not ‘given the political attention it deserves’

24.01.18: The government in England is not hitting key targets on child health, says the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). Following its latest report into paediatric health, the RCPCH says some progress has been made in areas se...

Organ donation opt-out ‘to save lives’ in England

06.10.17: Theresa May has pledged to move to an opt-out system for organ donation in England. Speaking at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, the prime minister explained that a move to presumed consent for organ donation will work towar...

Realising the potential of pharmacy will need change at scale

28.07.17: Better for patients. Better for the NHS. Better for other healthcare providers. Sue Sharpe, chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), which represents all community pharmacy owners providing NHS services in Eng...

Enabling greater integration through ACSs

25.07.17: At this year’s NHS Confed, Simon Stevens revealed the first wave of accountable care systems (ACSs). NHE speaks to Ian Dodge, the director responsible for NHS England’s strategy and policy, about the developments and direction of tra...