Reform's research and commentary is regularly featured in the media. You can find press coverage of Reform's work here.
We are always happy to comment on policy issues relevant to our work. If you would like a quote, an interview, or a background briefing, please email press@reform.uk.
Welcoming the Department of Health and Social Care’s policy paper, ‘The future of healthcare: our vision for digital, data and technology in health and care’, Reform Research Manager, Maisie Borrows said:
“This paper places a welcomed emphasis on getting the basics right in the digital architecture of the NHS. There is a digital divide within the current system. On the one hand, parts of the NHS are innovating and using Artificial Intelligence to improve diagnosis of conditions. On the other, the NHS remains strongly attached to archaic technology, such as fax machines, to share patient information. Building open data standards, secure data storage and interoperability will overcome this divide and mean all patients benefit from a tech-enabled NHS.”
Rose Lasko-Skinner, Researcher at Reform, wrote an article* for Public Sector Executive on social value in public procurement. The article discusses the importance of social value and considers possible next steps, following the amendment of the Social Value Act, to be taken to improve procurement practice.
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Commenting on today’s report, Maisie Borrows, Research Manager at Reform, said:
“Whilst the report sheds light on an unwelcome “integration lottery” in local health and care systems, it also highlights the positive role of technology in accelerating joined up care. Integrated care records enabling effective data sharing are fundamental to this, improving care quality and reducing unnecessary admissions – a win-win for service users and providers, which we need to see more of.”
This statement was covered in Pharmafield and Public Sector Executive.
Maisie Borrows, Research Manager at Reform, wrote a piece for Glint Perspectives on how public services could use technology to improve productivity. Her piece draws parallels with innovation in the private sector to explore what lessons the public sector could learn.
Read it here.
Following the publication of Reform‘s report, Smarter Working in public services: the HMRC experience so far, Researcher Luke Heselwood wrote an article for Civil Service World exploring what other departments can learn from HMRC’s smarter working agenda.
“Smarter working can help to break down the traditional silos of government, with more shared spaces and technology. By doing so, it can improve service delivery and help to reach Sir Michael Barber’s aim of achieving maximum value for every pound spent.”
Read the article here.
Reform‘s latest report, Smarter Working in public services: the HMRC experience so far, assesses how far HMRC have adopted Smarter Working principles to become more efficient and effective.
It has received coverage in UK Authority, Civil Service World and Public Technology.
Maisie Borrows, Research Manager, contributed an article to the recently published Braintree whitepaper on AI in Government and Public services. Following the publication, she was quoted in both Government Computing and Open Access Government, saying “AI can have a profound impact on how the civil service runs. From defence to health, a greater use of AI can lead to more efficient, effective and productive public services. At its most basic level, AI can replace repetitive tasks and allow civil servants to focus on more complex work. More sophisticated AI has the potential to change the entire nature of work, allowing public services to predict and prevent future challenges.”
Eleonora Harwich, Director of Research, appeared on Sky News on 17 August to discuss the Government's new project to tackle the problems in Britain's 10 most challenging prisons. She argues that whilst extra £10 million of funding is a good thing, we cannot forget about the wider prison reform and how we can improve outcomes longer term and reduce re-offending.
Sarah Timmis, Researcher at Reform, wrote an article in Public Finance following the launch of Reform's report 'Sharing the benefits: How to use data effectively in the public sector'.
She argued that better data sharing has the potential to transform public services, but public confidence must be upheld. As tech giants in Silicon Valley come under scrutiny for breaching data laws, the public sector should act as an example of best practice, where privacy, security and consent are put first. Full article can be found here.
Tom Richmond, Senior Research Fellow, Reform, appeared on a interview on the BBC News at Five. He discussed this week’s pay rise for teachers and other public sector workers, with teachers receiving up to 3.5% in September.
On Monday, Maisie Borrows, Senior Researcher at Reform, was on BBC Radio Hereford and Worcestershire talking about the need to improve efficiency in hospital to reduces delays in elective care.
You can listen to the full interview here (Maisie appears at 2.12.27).
Maisie Borrows, Senior Researcher, appeared on BBC Radio Newcastle to talk about the future of the NHS. She said that the NHS needs to move to a preventative model of care and that there is still a role for private providers.
You can listen to the interview (at 13.04) here.
Andrew Haldenby, Director of Reform, appeared on File on 4 as part of its programme on the history of private involvement in the NHS.
He argued that “privatisation” is often taken to mean private payment for healthcare. That makes it harder to recognise the routine use of the private sector to deliver NHS services, paid for by the taxpayer.
Listen to the episode here.
Sarah Timmis, Researcher at Reform, wrote an article in FE News following the launch of Reform‘s report, Beyond gadgets: EdTech to help close the opportunity gap.
She argued that there needs be a change of mindset for EdTech to be implemented successfully into schools. It has opportunities to give young people the skills they will need for future employment, particularly disadvantaged pupils, and can help teachers by enabling personalised learning and analysing data.
Read the full article here.
Rose Lasko-Skinner, Research Assistant, wrote a piece for Public Sector Focus (on risk sharing in public service markets) arguing that government should play a more active role in risk management when outsourcing.
Read the full article here.