The Week, 9 November 2018
REFORMER OF THE WEEK
ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS
A report by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has this week described the NHS systems of face-to-face appointments and paper communications as “no longer fit for purpose”. It argues for a greater use of technology (such as telephones and video consultations) to make it easier for patients to see doctors.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"It's an 18th Century system. It should not be beyond us to tackle this.”
Dr Toby Hillman of the RCP, on reforming NHS outpatient care.
“We are not convinced by the [Home Office]’s approach of top-slicing transformation funding from the total police budget and then distributing it to a small number of projects, rather than allocating it to forces to manage themselves.”
Public Accounts Committee report on police funding.
GOOD WEEK FOR
DEMENTIA CARE
Artificial intelligence has been shown to improve the early detection of Alzheimer’s, making possible more successful attempts at preventative treatment.
PRIMARY CARE
Matt Hancock MP, the Health and Social Care Secretary, announced that if the NHS is to focus on prevention, it must put greater emphasis on primary and community care.
BAD WEEK FOR
POLICE
The Public Accounts Committee has highlighted the pressures created on police forces by “cost shunting” due to cuts in other areas of public spending and centralised funding models.
FRIDAYS
Reform’s weekly Friday email is at risk given the shift to a 4-day working work reportedly being discussed by John McDonnell MP and Lord Skidelsky.
REFORM'S WEEK
Dr Luke Heselwood, Researcher at Reform, appeared on BBC Radio Newcastle to discuss homelessness prevention.
Bernadette Thompson, Business Partner, Cabinet Office, Dr Till Bruckner, Founder of TranspariMED and Rachel Cooper, Director of Transparency, International Health Initiative, authored Reformer blogs.
Andrew Haldenby, Director of Reform, discussed “The State of the State” report with Deloitte at events in Cardiff and Bristol.