The Health and Social Care Bill converts the NHS, which at present is overwhelmingly a public service into a series of lightly regulated, competitive markets. The basis upon which this is going to built is the ‘purchaser-provider split’. This is an artificial split between GPs as purchasers of patient care …
The NHS White Paper, Liberating the NHS, sets out the government’s intention to give patients ‘more fundamental control’ over their care and treatment, including a choice of any willing provider and named consultant-led team for elective care. 1 This builds on previous work to extend choice within the English NHS, …
Articulated lorries in the UK are currently limited to 16.5m in length. Current plans will extend this to 18.55m (a 12% increase), with an aim to increase road freight capacity.1 Longer vehicles are currently allowed as standard rigid trucks in drawbar trailer combination. (see pictures below) Heavy good vehicles (HGVs) …
The evidence suggests that young people, binge drinkers and heavier drinkers tend to drink cheaper products. Therefore, it is suggested that any increase in price would reduce the amount of alcohol consumed by these groups rather than moderate drinkers 1, 2. Description of the policy The government is proposing to …
There is currently a range of reforms being undertaken to the personal tax and benefits systems. Some of these changes were announced by the previous government, others introduced by the coalition. The key changes relating to health are: (a) Tax changes January 2011: Main VAT rate increased from 17.5% to …
The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, will be abolished from 2012. Despite the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)’s pledge of continued support for libraries, with a focus front-line, essential services 1, reduced funding available to local government has resulted in 495 of the UK’s 4517 libraries being under …
The Health Visitor Improvement Plan 2011-2015 outlines plans to develop and expand the Health Visiting Service in England. It is proposed that Health Visitors (HVs) will provide four different levels (tiers) of service based on assessment of the needs of the child and family: Community Services (available to all families) …
New government policy states that child benefit will no longer be paid to families in which one or more members is a higher rate income tax payer. This is scheduled to start in January 2013. Child benefit is a tax free payment to people who look after children (normally to …
The National Healthy Schools Programme (NHSP) promotes the link between good health, behaviour and achievement through four key areas: healthy eating; physical activity; personal, social and health education (PSHE); and emotional health and well-being 1. The previous government set targets for the number of schools achieving National Healthy School Status, …
Cancer treatment has developed substantially in recent years, leading to improved outcomes and quality of life of life for patients. However, it has also led to increased cost and capacity pressures for the NHS. There is evidence to suggest that the UK lags behind the rest of Europe for access …