For better and smarter public services
Find coverage in the press of Reform's latest work below.
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Eleonora Harwich, Director of Research at Reform, wrote an article for AIMed Magazine, addressing AI in the NHS.
"Private sector organisations can often fall into the trap of thinking about the tech first instead of trying to solve a problem that individuals face on the ground. This can have an impact on people's general uptake of the technology and their buy-in."
Read the full piece here.
New NHS data shows that the number of community health medical staff and community health nurses decreased by 70% and 15%, respectively, compared to January last year. Reform Research Manager, Claudia Martinez, said:
“The Health Secretary was right to raise better staff retention in his speech today. However, the Service will need to reverse the concerning decline in its’ staff working in the community if it wants to deliver the Long Term Plan. The forthcoming Workforce Implementation Plan should not solely focus on investment, but on improving the recruitment and retention of key community staff.”
After interviewing Eleonora Harwich, Reform Director of Research, Neetu Roy wrote an article for LinkedIn Pulse.
"Eleonora has produced one of the most comprehensive reports regarding AI in healthcare, brilliantly titled, Thinking on its own: AI in the NHS."
Read the full piece here.
On 12 April 2019, Reform hosted John Manzoni, Chief Executive of the Civil Service, to speak on the TW3.0 programme for smarter working across the organisation.
This event received coverage from Public Finance.
New NHS data shows a 14% increase in patients waiting over three months after being referred to IAPT, the Service’s programme for treating adult anxiety disorders, compared to last year. Reform Research Manager, Claudia Martinez, said:
“This increase isn’t good and takes the shine off NHS efforts to improve access to this service. Better uptake of new technologies would help bridge the gap between being referred to IAPT and a first assessment, as well as helping patients self-manage their condition.”
Claudia Martinez, Reform Research Manager, said:
“Mental health services for children will improve when schools, social services and the NHS work together and utilise new technologies which direct patients to the right treatments, at the right time.”
Rose Lasko-Skinner, Researcher at Reform, wrote an op-ed for City AM on public sector procurement and Reform's recent report, 'Please procure responsibly'.
"Government needs to do much better when it comes to “make or buy” decisions – that is, deciding whether a service is more suited to being provided directly by government, or an external provider."
Read the full piece here.
Dr Luke Heselwood said: “The HRA is a step in the right direction but Government policies, such as the Local Housing Allowance freeze, are at cross purposes with MHCLG’s efforts. Eliminating homelessness will require all departments to play a role.”
Reform think tank statement on Birmingham Prison permanently returning to public ownership
Dr Joshua Pritchard said: “With the Ministry of Justice continuing to work with the private sector to deliver prison services, it is crucial that in the future a greater emphasis is placed on quality by improving the commercial skills of civil servants and focusing more on social value, as with HMP Berwyn”
This statement was covered in City AM.