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.
William Mosseri-Marlio, Research Manager at Reform, wrote an article in City A.M. in the aftermath of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR)'s judgement on the long-term health of the country's finances. According to the OBR, by the 2060s the UK will be reaching levels of borrowing not seen since the Second World War. He argues that the government needs to act now to offset some of the burden that future generations will face. This will include achieving much greater value for money from our healthcare system; reducing the cost of the State Pension by scrapping the triple lock; and, when developing policy, looking at much longer-term trends than simply the next election date.
"Theresa May ended her Brexit speech with a call for Britain to become a lower tax, economically vibrant competitor to the Continent. Her words will fall flat unless her government takes to heart the OBR’s warnings."
Read the full article here.
Alexander Hitchcock, Senior Researcher at Reform, appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss how to deliver a sustainable NHS. He argued that the NHS needs to think long-term in order to deliver a sustainable system. The needs of a 21st century population are often centred around managing long-term conditions; reactive care models aren't the right answer. More care needs to be delivered in the community rather than by hospitals. Listen to the full episode here.
The Telegraph published an article on the current state of NHS hospitals. Andrew Haldenby, Director of Reform, was quoted in the article. “In Germany you go to hospital, but when you start to recover you move on, probably to another unit on the same site,” says Andrew Haldenby, director of the think tank, Reform. “If you’re very sick you need to be in hospital but there comes a point when you don’t need all the bells and whistles that go with a hospital bed.” At least one private company is trying to introduce such German-style units to Britain but an illogical resistance to this is slowing the pace of change, adds Haldenby: “Politicians talk about the private sector as if it’s barely in the NHS because in the public mind private equals having to pay, but almost all GPs are self-employed, so are dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists. Every MRI scanner is made by a private company. The whole thing is a big public/private partnership.
“Health reform is hard because there are such powerful lobbies, particularly the BMA. They are willing to genuinely fight any government they think is changing the system not to the benefit of their members . If you ask “Who do you trust?” polls will tell you 90% of people say doctors 5% politicians, it’s an unfair battle.”
Read the full article here.
Andrew Haldenby, Director of Reform, appeared on BBC 2's Daily Politics to discuss the NHS and future spending. He argued that change is needed in the NHS with a new way of doing things being crucial. Currently, it is making poor use of the money it gets and there is a great strain on hospitals because patients are encouraged to go to A&E. Giving the NHS a windfall of money would mean the NHS would not feel the need to make the larger changes needed. Watch the full programme here. Watch Andrew's soapbox video created for the BBC here.
Andrew Haldenby, Director of Reform, made a soapbox video for the BBC 2's Daily Politics ahead of his interview on the programme that took place on Monday 9 January on the same theme. He argued that "new ideas" are needed in the NHS, not just more money. He highlighted the work that Babylon Health is doing. Their app is delivering quality healthcare much faster for their patients, offering online consultations, and also using artificial intelligence to focus on prevention of ill-health as well.
Watch the full video here.