• In Focus

    Sexual and reproductive healthcare

    Most sexual and reproductive healthcare services in England are commissioned by local authorities and funded through a public health grant from central government. Some organisations have expressed concern that funding has been cut in real terms over the past 10 years and this has placed pressure on existing services in the context of increased demand. The government has said that it is looking at how to continue to improve the sexual health of the population, and workforce planning, development and training for public health areas such as sexual and reproductive health should benefit from improved joint working between integrated care boards and local authorities through integrated care partnerships.

  • In Focus

    Anaesthesia associates and physician associates

    The government is planning to legislate to bring physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) under the regulation of the General Medical Council (GMC). Although there is support for regulating these roles, there are concerns that patients do not always understand that PAs and AAs are not doctors. A House of Lords committee has also highlighted that the legislation would allow the GMC to set and change rules without parliamentary oversight.

  • In Focus

    Contribution of the arts to society and the economy

    The government estimates that creative industries generated £126bn in gross value added to the economy and employed 2.4 million people in 2022. A range of research is also examining the way in which creative industries and the arts can positively impact wellbeing, for example through public health interventions. In June 2023, the government published a ‘Creative industries sector vision’ which included a commitment to an additional £77mn in funding.

  • In Focus

    Performance of maternity services in England

    The government has described the NHS as one of the safest places in the world to give birth. However, multiple reports and independent investigations have highlighted ongoing problems in maternity care in England. This article summarises recent findings on the performance of NHS maternity services in England, as well as recent government and NHS policies aimed at improving the quality of maternity care.

  • In Focus

    Dementia care

    Growing numbers of people in the UK suffer from dementia. Because dementia costs are often associated with social care needs, as opposed to medical treatment, those with dementia are often required to fund the cost of their own care. This has led to calls for more parity between health and social care where dementia is concerned. The government has committed to significant reform of the funding thresholds for social care in England, but these are now not expected until 2025.

  • In Focus

    UK biosecurity: Infectious disease threats

    This briefing considers the impact of factors such as globalisation and climate change on the prevalence of various infectious diseases in the UK affecting humans, animals and plants. The briefing also summarises the government’s ‘Biological security strategy’ (June 2023), which provides the overarching framework for mitigating biological risks among other area-focused strategies. The government has also said that import controls are an important element of the UK’s biosecurity regime.

  • In Focus

    Adding new vaccinations to the NHS national immunisation programme

    The NHS national immunisation programme in England offers vaccinations against a range of illnesses. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommends additions to the programme. The House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee has noted that the pace of adopting new vaccines can be affected by several factors, including product availability. The government’s new vaccination strategy seeks to address some of these concerns, as well as focusing on increasing vaccine uptake.

  • Research Briefing

    Data Protection and Digital Information Bill: HL Bill 30 of 2023–24

    The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill would amend existing data protection legislation and introduce new provisions in areas such as digital verification services and smart data. The bill was carried over from the last session and is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 19 December 2023.

  • In Focus

    Maternal mortality rates in the Black community

    Black women were at a greater risk of maternal mortality in the UK during 2018–20 when compared to White women, according to recent findings. The underlying causes of this disparity remain a complex picture. This briefing looks at the latest research findings, as well as a recent parliamentary report on Black maternal health and the government’s response.

  • In Focus

    Organ donation in England and the UK: Statistics and law changes

    The Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Act 2019 introduced an opt-out system for organ donation in England. This means that it is generally presumed upon a person’s death that they consent to donate their organs unless they or their family indicate otherwise. This is also the arrangement in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This briefing discusses this policy change and presents recent statistics on organ donation in England and the UK.

  • In Focus

    The 75th anniversary of the NHS: How is it doing?

    This briefing considers the performance of the NHS as it passes its 75-year anniversary. It includes statistics on waiting times, information on recent government policy, and commentary on suggested measures to improve NHS performance. It also contains a brief history of the NHS and links to further reading.

  • In Focus

    Life beyond Covid-19: Lords Covid-19 Committee’s recommendations for long-term resilience and wellbeing

    In a report published in early 2022, the House of Lords Covid-19 Committee called for a “reset” of the state through a new emphasis on governing for the long-term and a new focus on wellbeing. The committee’s recommendations spanned a range of policy areas, from addressing health disparities and supporting families through to expanding devolution and improving public service resilience and preparedness. The government responded to the committee’s recommendations in July 2022.

  • In Focus

    Agricultural fungicides: Impact on long-term food and biological security

    Agricultural fungicides are pesticides which are used to prevent or control plant disease caused by fungi. They can help ensure food availability, affordability and safety. However, they can also have negative environmental effects and exposure to chemical pesticides has been linked to a higher risk of chronic disease in humans. The government is due to publish a revised national action plan on the sustainable use of pesticides by the end of 2023.

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