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Latest News
Health services lack accountability, say councillors
19/06/08 New mechanisms are needed to hold the NHS to account locally, according to a discussion paper launched by the LGiU this week.
The paper, Out of Our Control? The Case for Better Health Accountability (see attached), sets out practical measures to give the community and their elected representatives greater influence over the planning, delivery and review of health services.
It was launched at a panel debate on the accountability of health services, which was chaired by Richard Vize, editor of the Health Service Journal. The debate included contributions from Jo Webber, deputy director of policy at the NHS Confederation, councillor Dave Wilcox, the chair of LGiU, Sally Brearley, chair of Health Link and Alyson Morley, author of the paper and a policy analyst at LGiU’s Democratic Health Network.
According to a ComRes survey conducted on behalf of the LGiU, 65% of surveyed elected members said new mechanisms are needed to hold the NHS to account locally.
The publication aims to influence government plans for a constitution for the NHS to assure national and local accountability.
To read the document in full, click here.
This Month's Events
There are no further events this month. For information on forthcoming seminars and conferences please visit our events calendar.
Latest Analysis
Better primary care for BME groups
29/05/08 In May, Alan Johnson, the Health Secretary, announced a national support programme to improve GP services to black and minority ethnic (BME) people. The announcement followed two reports, published on 22 May which looked at low satisfaction with GP access among some BME groups.
DHN looking at councils role in accountability
22/04/08 In June DHN will publish a paper on NHS accountability, which will discuss the options for a greater role for local authroities in delivering this accountability. Recent reports on accountability have not considered courses of action that would give local authorities a larger role in running PCTs. Councils will want to ensure that their potential role in any future arrangements is fully explored. DHN is inviting local authorities and scrutiny committees to send in views as part of the evidence gathering for our forthcoming paper. Please email any submissions to alyson.morley@lgiu.org.uk.
Keeping hospitals clean - consultation
19/03/08 The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has launched a public consultation on tackling C.difficile. Clostridium difficile Infection: How to Deal with the Problem - A Board to Ward Approach aims to gather and take into account the views of partners, stakeholders, members of the public and other interested parties. It closes on 23 April.
Latest Publications
Out of Our Control? The case for better health accountability (DHN)
16/6/2008
The Local Government Information Unit and its health information service, the Democratic Health Network, both have track records in working to improve accountability of local services to communities and their elected representatives. We have developed a model of local accountability for all public services. Out of Our Control? outlines the rationale and our proposals for improving health accountability.
Mainstreaming mental health (DHN)
20/11/2005
This publication is for elected members who may have limited knowledge of mental health issues, but who want to find out more.