The UK Government plans to reverse controversial reforms of the National Health Service and return greater control to ministers.
Proposed changes would reduce the involvement of the private sector, with fewer contracts put out to tender – a reversal of policies adopted by the ruling Conservative Party in 2012, when it was led by David Cameron.
If adopted, the leaked plan would mean the current administration is scrapping policies it has spent years defending from critics in the health service.
The plans to roll back reforms have attracted early criticism from political rivals.
They asked why the government wasn’t focusing on treatment waiting lists, which have soared as the service battles Covid-19.
“Ministers need to explain why reorganisation is the pressing priority when 190,000 people are waiting more than 12 months for treatment and cancer survival rates need to be radically improved,” opposition health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said.
Dr Fiona Lemmens, chairwoman of the Liverpool NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, said it would be a “challenge” for NHS reforms to be considered while the service deals with the pandemic.
“We should always be looking to improve. Continuous improvement is what I would be aiming for rather than massive overhauls,” Dr Lemmens said.
The draft policy paper, which says Health Secretary Matt Hancock would take more direct control over NHS England, admits to failures in the previous policy of introducing public health care to market competition.
“[The] regime in place put competition as the organising principle for improvement in NHS care. This has, in some cases, hindered integration between providers. In practice, the NHS has not operated as the market,” the draft white paper says.
The plans would enable the government to block hospital closures and overrule healthcare managers. Ministers are also seeking new powers, including adding fluoride to the public water supply to tackle tooth decay and putting warnings on unhealthy food to reduce obesity.
The white paper says there will be “enhanced powers of direction for the government” so that “decision-makers overseeing the health system at a national level are effectively held to account”.
Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt backed the proposals.
“Last year was the first year in history where, across the world, there were more over-65s than under-fives, so we are all having to deal with this big change in our health provision of the growth in older people and what that means is you need a lot more joined-up care,” he said.
“The structures need to be improved to make that possible and I think that’s what these reforms are intended to do, so I think they could be very positive.”
In the 2012 reform, initiated by former health minister Andrew Lansley in 2012, much day-to-day control of the service handed to bosses at NHS England.
A white paper is expected as early as April.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
A Dog's Journey
Directed by: Gail Mancuso
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Josh Gad, Marg Helgenberger, Betty Gilpin, Kathryn Prescott
3 out of 5 stars
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