NHS staff still going the extra mile

By Professor Mark Exworthy, Health Policy and Management Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham. Since March 2020, the commitment and hard work of NHS staff have been widely recognised as they respond to the covid pandemic – the regular 8pm `clap for carers’, impromptu street signs and banners across the UK, the  Queen’s birthday … Continue reading “NHS staff still going the extra mile”

The scramble for Covid-19 vaccines- Is there enough for everyone?

By Professor Aditya Goenka,  The Department of Economics, University of Birmingham. “Canada has orders for enough vaccines to inoculate its population six times over, UK four times over, and EU about twice. The constraints on how fast vaccines can be produced… and stockpiling by richer Western countries raises the possibility that LMICs will be left … Continue reading “The scramble for Covid-19 vaccines- Is there enough for everyone?”

Migration – A Personal Story

By Steve Gulati, Senior Fellow, Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham As the world observes International Migrants Day (18th December 2020), I found myself thinking about my own story and experiences, both personal and professional. In this extended piece, I reflect on the experiences of me and my family, as first and second generation … Continue reading “Migration – A Personal Story”

Mental health social care and COVID-19: Learning from the present and preparing for the future

By Dr Sarah Carr, Senior Fellow in Mental Health Policy Department of Social Work and Social Care and the Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham. “Many mental health social care service users experience profound inequalities. Evidence is showing us that the most socio-economically marginalised have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.” In their recent blog … Continue reading “Mental health social care and COVID-19: Learning from the present and preparing for the future”

The neglect of adult social care during covid-19

By Jon Glasby, Professor of Heath and Social Care and Catherine Needham, Professor of Public Policy and Public Management, School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham. “If any good is to come from such tragedy, we must renew our efforts to achieve a lasting settlement for social care, understanding and valuing it in its own … Continue reading “The neglect of adult social care during covid-19”

Migration, identity and belonging: people of colour and the NHS

By Steve Gulati, Director of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Programme School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham “The story of the NHS can be viewed through many lenses, those of social history, economic migration and political struggle, and also more personal stories of love, hope, fear and loss.” The 72nd birthday of the NHS is a … Continue reading “Migration, identity and belonging: people of colour and the NHS”

Under pressure: Children and Young People’s Mental Health, the hidden impacts of COVID-19

By Dr Gemma McKenna, Health Services Management Fellow  School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham   Originally posted as a blog piece for The Voice of UK Health Services Research (HSR UK). On the 18th March 2020, schools across the UK closed their doors. Children said goodbye to their teachers and friends, some for the … Continue reading “Under pressure: Children and Young People’s Mental Health, the hidden impacts of COVID-19”

How do we get out of lockdown? The five Cs of a realistic exit strategy

By Professor Peter Hupe, Honorary Senior Research Fellow School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham In times of crisis, people tend to look upward. They expect that elected leaders will get them out of the crisis. In turn, political authorities and public officials tend to adopt a straightforwardly top-down approach when exercising control. This ‘hierarchical … Continue reading “How do we get out of lockdown? The five Cs of a realistic exit strategy”

3 ways Covid-19 is helping to shine a spotlight on care workers

By Nick Le Mesurier and  Dr Denise Tanner  Department of Social Work and Social Care, University of Birmingham “The care worker may be the only person they see all day or even all week. It is not just the help with the basics of personal care that is important – getting washed, dressed and to … Continue reading “3 ways Covid-19 is helping to shine a spotlight on care workers”

What does the 2020 Budget mean for health and social care?

By Professor Judith Smith, Director of Health Services Management Centre School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham For the NHS, there were in effect two Budgets: one for the short-to-medium-term to address the Coronavirus crisis, and the other to continue with the previously announced five-year investment in the NHS to enable it to meet its … Continue reading “What does the 2020 Budget mean for health and social care?”