Consolidating the future of the NHS
Consolidating the future of the NHS
The NHS England planning guidance was published at the end of March, and the key word in the document is…
I have discussed the Birmingham judgement (on 20th May, overturning Birmingham’s decision to move to supporting critical needs only) with a number of directors of adult social care and other key players, and very different views are emerging about what it means.
I want to make my view clear. The judgement:
There is a negative and a positive response to this.
Negative – box ticking consultation and impact assessment, avoiding really listening, focusing cuts on those who are least able to stand up for themselves and complain
Positive – genuinely engage and listen and “co-produce” a new social care offer through this unprecedented challenge
Ironically, Birmingham’s open, listening, extensive consultation meant they were at the forefront of taking a risk on this positive route, and it was largely this that led them into this trouble. It would be understandable for Strategic Director Peter Hay, to now take the negative cautious line. However, Peter gets full marks for committing to continue with the positive route.
Jeremy Cooper, director, IMPOWER Consulting