Category: Health Care

The IFS Deaton Review of Inequalities

A new year’s message

Source: The King’s Fund Health and Wellbeing Bulletin

This report examines the impact of the pandemic on educational, economic, social and health inequalities in the UK. It outlines data and evidence on the groups that have been most heavily impacted by widening inequalities and Covid-19.

The IFS Deaton Review of Inequalities: a New Year’s message

Key findings include:

  • The COVID crisis has exacerbated inequalities between the high- and low-paid and between graduates and non-graduates.
  • The crisis has hit the self-employed and others in insecure and non-traditional forms of employment especially hard.
  • Educational inequalities will almost certainly have been exacerbated by the crisis
  • Between March and July, mortality rates from COVID-19 were twice as high in the most deprived areas as in the least deprived.
  • The crisis has had very different impacts on different ethnic groups.
  • Through 2020, pensioners have on average reported becoming financially better off, whilst the young have borne the brunt of job and income loss. (The IFS Deaton Review of Inequalities)

To find out more click here.

2020 reviewed

The Health Policy Year in 12 Charts

Source: King’s Fund Health Management and Policy Alert

The wheels of health policy turn quickly. So, as 2021 begins Siva Anandaciva looks back at the key health policy moments of 2020 to consider the challenges and opportunities the year brought. The blog sums up the year of changes and influences of Covid 19 throughout the year.

To read the review click here.

King’s Fund Free Event

What’s in store for health and care in 2021?

This free online event, taking place Thursday 28th January 2021 (10am -11am), will provide insight into the wider UK health and care landscape in 2021 and will explore how recent trends, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and future developments could affect people working in the sector, patients and the wider population. 
 
Their speakers will discuss some of the big issues that we hope to see progress on in 2021, including health and care staff wellbeing, social care reform, population health and health inequalities, and legislative changes to support the integration agenda.

To register for a place click here.

Brexit and Health Care

Understanding the impact of Brexit on health in the UK

Source: King’s Fund Health Management and Policy Alert

This report maps out the health areas that will be affected by the exit from the European Union and discusses the dilemmas confronting the health sector in the face of legislative changes. It suggests that new barriers to migration, an unknown level of disruption to medicines and devices, a prolonged economic slowdown and barriers to investment in science could impact the health sector almost immediately.

To find out more information click here.

Guidance for the health and care sector

Brexit transition from the 1st January 2021

This is the guidance for information for industry and organisations involved in health and care on preparing for the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020. New guidance can be found for the following:

•Supply of medicines and medical products

•Nutrition legislation

•Substances of human origin

•Labelling of tobacco products

•Recognition of professional qualifications

Guidance for the health and care sector

Brexit transition from the 1st January 2021

This is the guidance for information for industry and organisations involved in health and care on preparing for the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020.

New guidance can be found for the following:

  • Supply of medicines and medical products
  • Nutrition legislation
  • Substances of human origin
  • Labelling of tobacco products
  • Recognition of professional qualifications

Digital technology and health inequalities

A scoping review

Source: King’s Fund Digital Health Digest

This report, published jointly by Public Health Wales and The King’s Fund, explores how a lack of access, skills and motivation for using digital technologies could contribute to inequalities in health and other outcomes. It considers approaches to reduce the widening differences between groups.

State of Care

CQC annual assessment of health and social care

State of Care 2019/20.
Care Quality Commission (CQC); 2020.
[CQC annual assessment of health care and social care in England. The report looks at the trends, shares examples of good and outstanding care, and highlights where care needs to improve. It describes the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, including the unequal impact, DOLS and innovation.]

Department of health and social care

Report of the independent review of NHS hospital food

This review, advised by chef and restaurateur Prue Leith, highlights the main challenges for NHS catering and makes recommendations on how NHS trusts can prioritise food safety and provide more nutritious meals to both staff and patients. The review covers: workforce; nutrition and hydration; food safety; facilities; technology; sustainability; enforcing standards; and the way forward to improving hospital food for patients, staff and visitors.

To find out more click here.

Covid 19

Current awareness updates

Vital to cut COVID-19 transmission to avoid more loss of life NHS Confederation (The NHS Confederation has responded to reports that a new national lockdown could be imposed.)

NHS response to the Prime Minister’s announcement NHS England 31 October 2020

HSIB report illustrates challenges of COVID-19 spread in hospitals NHS Confederation

Investigation into COVID-19 transmission in hospitals Kings Fund (This report charts a four-month patient safety investigation that was launched following concern that patients were contracting COVID-19 after being admitted to hospital. It presents the voices of those working across the health service, from strategic national planners to hospital porters. It also captured experiences of patients and families, providing further insight into the challenges of managing the transmission of COVID-19.)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey: characteristics of people testing positive for COVID-19 in England, October 2020 – Office for National Statistics Office for National Statistics

(Data about the characteristics of people testing positive for COVID-19 from the COVID-19 Infection Survey. This survey is being delivered in partnership with University of Oxford, University of Manchester, Public Health England and Wellcome Trust.)

How coronavirus has affected equality and human rights.
Equality and Human Rights Commission; 2020.

(This report summarises evidence that helps in understanding the effects of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic on different groups in society. It highlights potential long-term risks to equality and human rights covering key issues in the areas of: work; poverty; education; social care; and justice and personal security. It makes targeted recommendations for the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments.)

Generation COVID: Emerging work and education inequalities.
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE); 2020.

(The study found, since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, young workers to be twice as likely to have lost their jobs compared to older employees and that employment and earnings losses are more pronounced for women, the self-employed and those who grew up in a poor family. The survey provides further evidence that young people are suffering substantial and sustained losses, not only to their employment, but also their education.)

Country reports: COVID-19 and Long-Term Care.
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE); 2020.

(These reports aim to document the impact of COVID-19 on people who use and provide Long-Term Care and the measures adopted by different countries to contain and mitigate the impact of the virus. They are updated regularly as new information becomes available.)