Funding, news and events from April 2022 

Events 

Webinar: Closing the gap – launching an independent review on health inequalities in Scotland 

On 6 May we will explore the aims of the Health Foundation’s independent review of health and health inequalities in Scotland over the past two decades, and the key issues that will be considered. Register and find out more. 

Current opportunities   

Funding available for new research programme: Emotional Support for Young People  

We have launched a new research programme, Emotional Support for Young People. The programme will award four to six teams with up to £200,000 funding each to complete research projects over 12–18 months. These will help develop the evidence base on factors that shape young people’s experiences of emotional support from their families.  

Apply by 12.00 (noon), Monday 6 June 2022. Early applications are encouraged for the chance to revise and resubmit your proposal before the deadline. Find out more.  

Funding available for two new REAL Centre research units  

We have launched an ambitious new programme that will provide independent research that builds on the work of the REAL Centre to help improve long term decision making in health and social care. Our REAL Research Units programme will offer research teams in the UK £7.45m to set up two new research units. Deadline for expressions of interest is 12:00 (midday) 17 May 2022. Find out more and apply. 

Blogs and long reads 

Leading Successful Partnerships 

Q has published a new guide, Leading Successful Partnerships. This aims to support health and care leaders to boost innovation and improvement through partnership. It is informed by research and Q’s work with national and regional partners. Read the guide for practical support on setting on common goals, power distribution, resourcing and positive culture. Read our new guide.

Five recommendations for strengthening NHS management and leadership 

Sir Gordon Messenger’s review of health and social care leadership comes at a pivotal moment for the NHS. The government's response must include concrete commitments to strengthen NHS Management and leadership. Read our 5 recommendations.  

Working as a GP through the pandemic: using online tools as part of a hybrid model of care to meet the needs of patients and staff  

How does using online tools as part of a hybrid model of care help to meet the needs of patients & staff? Dr Minal Bakhai reflects on how the recent Improvement Analytics Unit study of general practices using digital tools chimes with her experience as a GP. Read more. 

Improving hospital discharge in England: the case for continued focus and support 

Done right, ‘discharge to assess’ can help free up hospital capacity while improving patient experience. But it must be implemented safely and in ways that maximise the benefits to patients and services. And that requires adequate funding and staffing. Find out more in our blog. 

News 

Dr Jennifer Dixon, Chief Executive of the Health Foundation, has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) 

We are pleased to announce that our Chief Executive, Dr Jennifer Dixon, has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Dr Jennifer Dixon, said 'The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how important it is for the UK to be well prepared for potential health shocks, and also the importance of tackling health inequalities for our health security. I’m looking forward to working with Jenny, Ian and the other Non-Executive Directors on these vital issues.' Find out more about this announcement.

Staggering difference in life chances for those in poorest areas of England 

Data from Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows the uneven impact of the pandemic with greater falls in life expectancy in the poorest areas of England compared to the wealthiest. Read our full response. 

Yorkshire, Midlands and North East MPs urged to protect constituents from crippling care costs in key parliamentary vote 

MPs in Yorkshire, the Midlands and the North East should vote down the government’s social care cap amendment to save their poorer constituents from ‘crippling care costs'. Read our full release with the King’s Fund. 

In the poorest parts of England, life expectancy for women is lower than in Colombia, Latvia and Hungary  

Analysis by the Health Foundation has revealed that life expectancy for women living in the poorest 10% of areas in England is lower than overall life expectancy in any OECD country, except for Mexico. The Health Foundation says government must produce a credible strategy to bring UK life chances in line with other comparable countries. Read our analysis. 

Severe pressures in A&E should be a wake up call for Government to tackle the workforce crisis  

Hugh Alderwick responds to the latest NHS performance statistics saying that the data ‘highlight(s) the extreme pressure on NHS patients and staff, with millions of people feeling the negative effects of a health system struggling under unbearable strain. Read the full response.

Better use of data is vital to NHS recovery – the Goldacre Review is welcome but government must now provide a credible plan 

Better use of health data can improve patient outcomes. The Goldacre Review rightly recognises need for secure and robust data infrastructure, developing the analytical workforce and collaborative working. We now need credible delivery plan from the government. Find out more. 

Time to get tougher on the risk factors fraying our health? – with Professor Kevin Fenton and Richard Sloggett 

Is it time to get tougher on the leading risk factors fraying our health? And will politics allow national government to do what it takes? Jennifer Dixon discusses with guests Professor Kevin Fenton and Richard Sloggett. Listen to the podcast.

MPs vote wrong way on social care cap and workforce planning 

MPs vote wrong way on social care cap and workforce planning, says Hugh Alderwick. Read our full response to the House of Commons vote on the Health and Care Bill. 

NHS staff survey signals urgent need for a workforce strategy 

The results of the NHS Staff Survey on 30 March are ‘sadly, not unexpected and signal the urgent need for a workforce strategy’, says Tim Gardner. Read our full response about the latest NHS staff survey results. 

This content originally featured in our email newsletter, which explores perspectives and expert opinion on a different health or health care topic each month.