As it happened – Experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic from within GP Practices

By Emily Burn, Research Fellow and Professor Judith Smith, Professor of Health Policy and ManagementHealth Services Management Centre (HSMC), University of Birmingham The COVID-19 pandemic led to sudden and profound shifts in the way that general practice services are delivered. In early 2020, with very little time to plan, general practices re-organised their services to … Continue reading “As it happened – Experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic from within GP Practices”

Are the planned cuts to UKHSA and expenditures to control COVID-19 warranted?

By Professor Aditya Goenka, Chair in Economics, Department of Economics The Covid-19 pandemic started more than 2 years ago. With over 86% of the UK population vaccinated twice, 68% boosted, and seven-day average deaths below 300 it would seem time that the country moved on from Covid restrictions. In February 2021 the UK Government published … Continue reading “Are the planned cuts to UKHSA and expenditures to control COVID-19 warranted?”

Contactless aid in Tonga: Re-thinking disaster response in the Pacific Islands

By Dr Kate Pruce, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Leadership for Development, International Development Department, University of Birmingham; Isobel Wilson-Cleary, Program Manager and Deputy Director (Operations), Developmental Leadership Program, University of Birmingham;Allan Mua Illingworth, Research Monitoring and Evaluation, La Trobe University;Prof Chris Roche, Professor of Development Practice and Deputy Director (Impact), Developmental Leadership Program, La Trobe … Continue reading “Contactless aid in Tonga: Re-thinking disaster response in the Pacific Islands”

Why offices must adapt to encourage people to return

By Hannes Read, Policy and Data Analyst City-REDI, University of Birmingham “People who tend to have more outgoing and extroverted personalities may be more likely to feel encouraged by more opportunities to network. Yet those who are less outgoing could feel that their wellbeing is best placed by working predominantly from home.” A new study … Continue reading “Why offices must adapt to encourage people to return”

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”

Education for disabled children in the Global South during COVID-19: An afterthought?

By Ms Vera Kubenz, Research Fellow, Department of Education and Social Justice, University of Birmingham.  “As schools reopen across the globe, there is concern that many disabled children will stay out of school permanently. Parents may continue to keep at-risk children at home out of fear of contracting COVID-19.” Disabled children in the Global South … Continue reading “Education for disabled children in the Global South during COVID-19: An afterthought?”

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?”

Are we there yet? How the pandemic is affecting children and young people’s learning and how to support

By Dr Karl Kitching, Reader in Education Policy School of Education, University of Birmingham This article describes what we know about how the pandemic has affected children and young people’s learning, offers some support links to parents and schools, and invites parents to support their child’s participation in a new University of Birmingham survey. Are … Continue reading “Are we there yet? How the pandemic is affecting children and young people’s learning and how to support”

The impact of Covid-19 on primary care practitioners: transformation, upheaval and uncertainty

Co-authored by Professor Judith Smith and Emily Burn  Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham. “As we face the second wave of Covid-19 this winter and the increased clinical pressures that this will surface, primary care remains in a state of uncertainty and flux.” The Covid-19 pandemic has had a great impact on almost all … Continue reading “The impact of Covid-19 on primary care practitioners: transformation, upheaval and uncertainty”

Shop early, start wrapping, enjoy Christmas?

By Dr Emma Gardner, Department of Strategy and International Business  Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham. “…in this anomalous and abnormal year, people have more pressing concerns than when to start their Christmas shopping.” Last week, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) launched its new campaign: shop early, start wrapping, enjoy Christmas. The premise behind this … Continue reading “Shop early, start wrapping, enjoy Christmas?”