This provides more evidence (if more was needed) that social care is in desperate need of attention, investment and reform. The sector was neglected by the government at the start of the pandemic, with tragic consequences for service users, families and staff, and unacceptable numbers of deaths. Covid-19 has laid bare the weaknesses in a social care system that has been underfunded and overlooked for too long.Following on from England’s poor record on life expectancy, Covid-19 has exposed the deep inequalities that exist between different population groups and areas of the country. People who have been worst affected by the virus are generally those who had worse health outcomes before the pandemic, including people from ethnic minority communities 1Īnd those living in poorer areas.The crisis has also underlined public support for the NHS and for care staff.īut the events of the past year have also exposed glaring issues and in some cases exacerbated existing shortcomings. Health and care workers have responded with outstanding dedication and skill clinicians and managers have gone above and beyond to rapidly develop new ways of delivering services safely hospitals have joined forces to offer each other mutual aid and ensure continued provision of essential services and in some areas NHS, local government and other local services have worked together like never before to co-ordinate their responses and support communities. The Covid-19 outbreak has shown many aspects of the health and care system at its best. These priorities will also need to sit within a wider economic strategy that supports investment in the socio-economic determinants of health. These areas will need to be prioritised by the government if it wishes to provide high quality health and care services, improve population health and make good on its promises to ‘level up’ society. reshaping the relationship between communities and public services.embedding and accelerating digital change.a step change on inequalities and population health.Instead, it sets out five priorities to help guide the approach to renewal across health and care: With this in mind, this piece does not explore the public health response to the pandemic, which is sure to be the subject of continued analysis and commentary over the months and years to come. There is now not only an imperative to restore service provision while remaining prepared for possible future waves of the virus, but to build on this learning to bring about positive change and renewal so that the health and care system can support the greatest possible improvements in health and wellbeing for everyone, well beyond this crisis. It is essential that lessons are learned from this experience – whether from the extraordinary contributions of millions of staff and volunteers, the rapid progress achieved in digitising and transforming service delivery, or from the shortcomings and inequalities brought sharply into focus. It was updated on 8 April 2021.Ĭovid-19 has been the biggest challenge the health and care system has faced in living memory. This long read was originally published on 16 July 2020.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |