Commissioners of health and social care services will not achieve best value without ‘radical and swift’ changes, according to a new report.
The New Health and Social Care Economy, published by the European Services Strategy Unit for New Directions, also warns that the most vulnerable in society will face ‘growing hardship’ unless there are reforms to the system.
The report is urging health and social care decision-makers to develop a better understand of how cuts and reform policies can create false economy, and calls on commissioners to deliver social justice.
Dexter Whitfield, director of the European Services Strategy Unit, said: ‘The report not only shows the scale and role of the health and social care economy but also assesses the impact of the recession and austerity policies to date and the implications of further cuts in public spending on health inequalities.
‘NHS and social care commissioners must improve their limited understanding of the long-term costs and consequences of reform policies intended to increase competition, marketisation and privatisation.’
The report calls for the rigorous monitoring and review of outsourced contracts, a return to in-house service innovation and three-yearly service reviews. It also recommends a ‘substantial’ increase in council funding for care services and improvements to staff terms and conditions such as ending zero-hour contracts.
Chief operating officer at New Directions, Penelope Fell, said: 'It is ground-breaking research that can shape our approach to health and social care in the North West and nationally. Better working between health organisations can prevent situations such as the recent hospital A & E crisis where fit-for-discharge patients were blocking beds on wards because of a lack of social care caused by underfunding. This causes a knock-on effect throughout the hospital system.
'The report emphasises how public sector commissioners can increase social justice and bring sustainable development while meeting future health and social care needs.'
