PLMR's On The Pulse Newsletter | 20th September 2024
Your weekly round up of the major social care news stories from PLMR 's expert Health and Social Care Team. Nathan Hollow | Lucy Taylor | Jessica Peddie | Michela Bandilla
Curing the sick man of Europe: Harnessing our ‘greatest asset’ for the health of the nation?
This week’s launch of the Institute for Public Policy Research’s (IPPR) cross-party Commission on Health and Prosperity’s report, Our Greatest Asset , marks a significant moment in the ongoing conversation about health and care reform in the UK. Co-chaired by? Dame Sally Davies, former Chief Medical Officer and Professor Lord Ara Darzi, whose recent review of the state of the NHS has made waves in the sector, the commission’s report has been three years in the making. It highlights the profound health and economic challenges facing the nation. It paints a broad and sobering picture of the UK’s health outcomes, earning the country the moniker of "the sick man of Europe” .??
The report explores the relationship between poor health and the economy, linking the decline in public health to broader economic challenges like low productivity and wage stagnation. That 900,000 workers are absent from the workforce due to illness, with projections reaching up to 4 million by the next parliamentary term , demonstrates the severity of the issue. This absence from the workforce not only harms individual livelihoods but also leads to a significant loss of tax revenue, estimated at ￡5 billion annually , further straining public finances and increasing pressure on the NHS. The report also notes the potential for improving incomes by up to ￡2,200 per person through preventive healthcare measures .?
The critique of current health policy is especially important. The report argues that the UK’s "sickness model" , which focuses on treating illness after it occurs, is unsustainable. Instead, it advocates for a "health creation system" that promotes well-being throughout all stages of life, calling for reforms in workplaces, schools, and communities. This proactive approach would engage various sectors in the fight for public health, moving beyond the confines of the NHS. This is aligned with the government’s promises for the healthcare sector, and in response to Lord Darzi’s review last week, the Prime Minister confirmed that this will be one of three key themes that will underpin their 10-year plan, alongside digital transformation and moving care closer to home .?
Health Secretary Wes Streeting addressed the report at its launch event on Wednesday, attended by PLMR colleagues. He described the situation as a "perfect storm" caused by years of underinvestment, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and outdated system structures. He echoed the report’s call for comprehensive reforms, particularly around prevention, digital transformation, and shifting care from hospitals to community-based settings. His speech, which reiterated the urgent need for change, highlighted a path forward that includes leveraging innovative technologies like virtual wards and AI-enabled diagnostics.?
The report’s remit does not extend to social care, which many observers will find disappointing, as the sector continues to face increasing strain, weakened funding, and insufficient political attention. To truly transition our health and care system away from sickness and towards a proactive, preventative model, the government must also proiortise social care reform and improved integration to ensure the entire system can effectively support a safer and healthier population.?
Overall, the IPPR report and the responses from political leaders like Streeting reflect a growing consensus: only impactful, systemic changes will address the deep-rooted issues facing the NHS and public health. Though the Prime Minister has made it clear that there will be no extra funding for the NHS without reform , the question remains whether the government's plans will be sufficiently bold enough to pull our health and care system back from the brink. All eyes now turn to the Labour Party Conference to see if we’ll garner more details on how the government plan to translate the wealth of evidence into action.?
PLMR at Labour Conference 2024?
PLMR are co-hosting a social care focused event with the Social Care Institute of Excellence (SCIE) at this year’s Labour Party Conference. We’d love you to join us to hear an expert panel address the critical issues facing the social care sector today.??
From workforce challenges to funding needs, this discussion will offer fresh perspectives and actionable solutions, including the role of technology and preventive care.?
Featuring:?
领英推荐
Monday, 23rd September, 11am – 12pm in the PLMR Policy Hub, Arena Room 4, Labour Party Conference?
Register your interest for the insightful session that aims to shape the future of social care: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/overcoming-hurdles-to-spreading-innovation-in-social-care-tickets-1003658709217 ?
Here are the some more big news stories of the week:?
The Independent : Britain is ‘sick man of Europe’ – new report into health of the nation???
A report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) labels Britain the "sick man of Europe" due to rising long-term illness, with 900,000 more workers off since 2020. If unchecked, 4.3 million could be affected soon, impacting the economy and NHS. The IPPR suggests shifting from illness treatment to promoting health, with measures like more health centres, taxing unhealthy foods, and free school meals. The government promises NHS reforms focusing on prevention, community care, and digitisation.?
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i News : Taxes could rise if public health crisis fails to improve, Streeting warns????
Health Secretary Wes Streeting warned that taxes may rise to fund NHS reforms unless the nation's health improves. He called for urgent reforms to tackle rising illness and waiting lists, emphasising prevention and community care. Streeting also voiced concerns over maternity care. Labour’s NHS reform plans will be detailed next year.?
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The Guardian : Ed Davey urges ‘faster and bolder’ action on NHS and social care???
In a speech at the Liberal Democrat conference, Ed Davey urged faster government action on NHS and social care crises, criticising the Treasury's short-term mindset. He emphasised key issues like the cost of living and called for Labour to be more positive. Davey highlighted the need to support caregivers and advocate for social care reform, reaffirming his commitment to those who supported the Lib Dems.?
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BBC News : Harm at risk of being normalised in maternity care?
A Care Quality Commission report reveals severe problems in England's maternity services, with 65% of units deemed unsafe. Long wait times lead some women to leave without care, and staffing shortages persist. The Commonwealth Fund rated the NHS as third best among ten health systems for its universal care.?
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i News : Medics warn of 'cancer crisis' as over 300,000 patients face treatment delays??
Unless NHS performance standards improve, a quarter of a million patients may face delays to cancer treatment. Leading health and care figures have suggested this creates a bleak ‘new normal’ for cancer care in the UK. Cancer Research UK have projected that there will be around 17.2 million urgent suspected cancer referrals in England over the next five years.?