Lead strategy advisor, DHSC system strategy unit. On secondment from @IPPR where I founded and head Commission on Health and Prosperity. Health writer & author.
Nov 15, 2022 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
Both economic inactivity and inactivity due to illness rise again, new ONS figures show.
2.7 million economically inactive because of either short or long term illness.
A third of the rise in economic inactivity due to illness is people newly out the labour market.
Two thirds of the rise is among people that have been out the labour market a while (indicating significant increase in their barriers back to work)
Sep 22, 2022 • 11 tweets • 2 min read
Finally, the new health secretary is up! Let's see whether the policy is fit for purpose - the challenge being one of the hardest winters we've ever faced, and the biggest long-term sustainability crisis since the NHS was formed.
The use of the word variation is immediately interesting. I know how @MichaelMarmot feels about those who dodge the language of inequity/inequality!
Sep 22, 2022 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
1. The trade off used to be continuity of care vs quick access to care. This new plan basically embeds fact NHS can now offer neither.
2. Today’s announcement offers nothing like the range of interventions needed to stave off an incredibly difficult winter in the NHS. It looks designed to smooth over the political damaged - to be seen to be doing *something*
Mar 2, 2022 • 20 tweets • 8 min read
Today is the release of our flagship annual @IPPR health report.
We show huge pressures on the NHS - and how they are undermining the founding mission of the national health service.
A quite long thread. Or read this great piece, if in a rush! theguardian.com/society/2022/m…
First, a look back at Bevan's hopes for the NHS. Many know 'free at the point of delivery, based on need'.
But Bevan also stressed 'universalise the best'. He recognised that the NHS could only have universal public support if it aimed to provide the best, not just a safety net
Oct 19, 2021 • 9 tweets • 6 min read
1. Today, we're releasing my favourite @IPPR report so far.
We call for a £35 billion public health budget - delivered annually by the chancellor, and taking our measure of prosperity 'beyond GDP'. New Zealand do similar.
Why is this so important? A 🧵
2. Our new analysis - with @LCP_Actuaries - shows that there are HUGE disparities in health across the country.
Most alarmingly, there are clusters of places where welfare, education and skills deficits combine with poverty to fundamentally undermine health.
Nov 25, 2019 • 12 tweets • 4 min read
A thread on the conservative manifesto and how it relates to the evidence @IPPR have put forward on health + care since the last election. We warmly welcome adoption of some IPPR policy, which will change lives. But, huge challenges would still remain unaddressed [1/11]
First the good. It is welcome to see a the Conservative manifesto reiterate a commitment to extra funding for the NHS, a key ask from the final report of the Lord Darzi Review. ippr.org/files/2018-05/… [2/11]
Oct 15, 2019 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
Today IPPR release a lost decade - the story of missed opportunities in life sciences.
Three prime ministers now have prioritised life sciences - a traditional UK strength. David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson have all made firm commitments
Oct 15, 2019 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
CQC state of care is out. The headlines are not good reading and indicative of an inarticulate, headline focused approach to the health and care by government this year.
14 learning disability trusts have been put in special measures. 14. This comes after CQC shone the spotlight on prolonged segregation of those with the greatest, most complex needs. A 14% fall also in mental health beds as a total - despite diagnoses rising.
Oct 10, 2019 • 7 tweets • 1 min read
The long awaited Chief Medical Officer’s review of obesity is out and it has some fascinating recommendations, many previously recommended by IPPR
Ending junk food marketing is the bread and butter and must be a priority for Government. This means tv advertising, personalised online adverts and sports sponsorship,
Sep 29, 2019 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
🚨 today’s announcement on new hospitals is more bluster. IPPR research shows our investment in NHS capital so low it would take 5.6 billion per year more to meet the average. The funding the prime minister announced is for 0.54 billion - only a tenth of what we need.
so even with this investment - In just six hospitals to begin with - we will still face crumbling buildings, unsafe conditions for patients and staff, a huge burden form PFI and poor outdated tech.
