Featured Video 2 February, 2023

Ministerial insights: why is health reform so difficult?

For decades, policymakers have called for a shift in our approach to health built on two core premises: that we must move upstream and focus on creating health rather than merely treating illness, and that we must move care out of large acute hospitals and into the community.

However, despite successive plans and strategies geared towards moving our health system in this direction, little real progress has been made. Spending on hospitals as a share of health spending continues to tick upwards and investment in public health has stagnated.

Reform was delighted to host an online panel discussion on why reforming our health system is so difficult. The event convened three former Health and Care ministers from across the political spectrum - Rt Hon Caroline Flint (Lab), Lord James Bethell (Con) and Rt Hon Sir Norman Lamb (Lib Dem).