A think-tank report said that the government should make explicit the healthcare services to which people are entitled, in order to consolidate the reforms in its ten-year plan for the National Health Service.
Source: Ray Robinson and Anna Dixon, Completing the Course: Health to 2010, Fabian Society (020 7227 4900)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Dec
The Northern Ireland Executive began consultation on the development of a new strategy which will cover the long-term future for the health and personal social services.
Source: Developing a Regional Strategy for the Health and Personal Social Services 2002 2022, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety/Northern Ireland Executive (028 9052 0500)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Dec
A former Labour Health Secretary attacked government plans for foundation hospitals, saying that they would lead to a 'two-tier' health service.
Source: House of Commons Hansard, Debate 14.11.02, columns 200-202, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Hansard | Guardian report
Date: 2002-Nov
The Health (Wales) Bill was published and had its second reading. The government said a new role for reformed community health councils will be the main vehicle for giving the patient a greater say in healthcare decisions. The First Minister in the Welsh Assembly Government reportedly said that Wales would not follow the 'consumerist' reform agenda in England, such as plans for foundation hospitals.
Source: Health (Wales) Bill 2002, Wales Office, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 27.11.02, columns 348-426, TSO | The Guardian, 15.11.02
Links: Text of Bill | Hansard | Guardian report
Date: 2002-Nov
Plans to create semi-autonomous foundation hospitals were confirmed in the Queen's Speech. The government announced that the hospitals will be run by elected local people; and that they will be prevented from removing assets from the public sector.
Source: Queen's Speech, House of Commons Hansard, 13.11.02, columns 3-5, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 14.11.02, columns 165-168, TSO
Links: Hansard (Speech) | Hansard 14.11.02
Date: 2002-Nov
A report rejected the privatisation of essential health services, arguing that independent non-profit 'mutuals' would be more efficient. It said that the future of the National Health Service lies in extending the proposals for Foundation Trusts far beyond their current scope.
Source: Ed Mayo and Ruth Lea, The Mutual Health Service, New Economics Foundation, available from Central Books (020 8986 5488)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
A senior doctor said there is a 'fundamental mismatch' between the kind of health service we need and the one we provide, with health services designed for episodic interventions rather than chronic care.
Source: Cyril Chantler, The Second Greatest Benefit to Mankind?, Harveian Oration 2002, Royal College of Physicians (020 7935 1174)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Oct
The Conservative Party said that people who pay for private health treatment should be able to get part of the cost met by the state. They said the plan would help patients to get treatment more quickly, and help relieve pressure on the National Health Service.
Source: Speech by Liam Fox MP to Conservative Party Conference 7.10.02
Links: Text of speech | Independent article
Date: 2002-Oct
The Welsh Assembly published a strategy document on health, highlighting the importance of health and well-being in everyday life and to the economy, and proposing action to reduce the differences in levels of health within Wales.
Source: Well Being in Wales, National Assembly for Wales (029 2082 5659)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary
Date: 2002-Sep
A new book examined ways in which the concept of social capital can be used to improve health and reduce health inequalities. It assessed the relative importance of the concept as it relates to different age groups, gender and ethnic groups, and its social policy implications.
Source: Catherine Swann and Antony Morgan (eds.), Social Capital for Health: Insights from Qualitative Research, Health Development Agency (0870 121 4194)
Links: Book (pdf) | Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 9.2
Date: 2002-Sep
A paper argued that hospitals should be 'set free of Whitehall'; and that healthcare should be paid for through subscriptions to one of a number of competing European-style social insurance funds.
Source: Anthony Browne and Matthew Young, NHS Reform: Towards Consensus? A Report from the Partnership for Better Health project, Adam Smith Institute (020 7222 4995)
Links: Paper (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jul
A report by a committee of MPs on the problem of delayed discharges from hospital called for a 'full and widespread debate' on the case for the integration of health and social care and their linkages with related services, such as housing.
Source: Delayed Discharges, Third Report (Session 2001-02), HC617-I, House of Commons Health Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 5.1
Date: 2002-Jul
A think-tank booklet argued for radical National Health Service reform based on greater power for patients and professionals.
Source: N. Blackwell and D. Kruger, Better Healthcare for All: Replacing the National Health Service Monopoly, Centre for Policy Studies (020 7222 4488)
Links: Link removed
Date: 2002-May
