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”

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?”

Budget 2018 and the NHS: the gauntlet has been thrown

By Judith Smith, Professor of Health Policy and Management Director of Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham In June, the Prime Minister gave the NHS what appeared to be a very generous 70th birthday present  – the promise of a new long-term funding settlement worth an extra £20.5 billion a year by 2023-24. When set alongside other … Continue reading “Budget 2018 and the NHS: the gauntlet has been thrown”

Brexit’s Effect on the National Health Service and immigration

By Professor Mark Exworthy, Professor Jean McHale and Dr Nando Sigona, University of Birmingham The impact of Brexit on the NHS With six months until Brexit, the UK’s National Health Service is beset by uncertainty over staffing, patients, medicines, devices and public health, especially if there is No Deal. As 30% of NHS staff come … Continue reading “Brexit’s Effect on the National Health Service and immigration”

Raising taxes to fund the NHS: are we (and the NHS) ready to grasp the nettle?

By Judith Smith , Professor of Health Policy and Management Director of Health Services Management Centre School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham ‘Tax rises needed to prevent NHS misery’. This was the stark warning from the BBC recently, reacting to new analysis by the Health Foundation and Institute for Fiscal Studies that suggests that … Continue reading “Raising taxes to fund the NHS: are we (and the NHS) ready to grasp the nettle?”

A remarkable life: The longevity of the National Assistance Act

By Allan Norman, Associate Lecturer in Social Work Law, University of Birmingham Social Worker, Non-practising solicitor “The existing poor law shall cease to have effect.” With these opening words, the National Assistance Act 1948 dramatically brought about the end of an era, sweeping away the last vestiges of a Victorian scheme that had held on … Continue reading “A remarkable life: The longevity of the National Assistance Act”

The National Assistance Act 70 years on – Lessons for the social care green paper

By Catherine Needham, Professor of Public Policy and Public Management Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham As the weight of expectations builds on the forthcoming social care green paper, it is timely that this week is the 70th anniversary of the National Assistance Act 1948 which created social services in their current form. The … Continue reading “The National Assistance Act 70 years on – Lessons for the social care green paper”