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Health landscape report: 13 October – 17 October

  • Latest news

This weekly report shares new data and policy information relating to general practice, with selected facts and figures highlighted.

This report is a flexible summary, with the aim of sharing and highlighting a wide range of data and policy information relating to London general practice published in a given week. Where we view information to be of significant interest it is reproduced directly below the links to make the key points quicker to digest.  

Please feel free to share any useful stats/links you think we could include in future reports.  

Official bodies    

NHS Digital 

Department of Health and Social Care 

UK Health Security Agency 

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency 

BMA 

Policy, think tanks, charities, and representative bodies  

The Health Foundation 

  • Later pub hours won’t fix the economy, but could worsen a growing public health challenge [16/10].  
  • This blog argues that extending pub opening hours in England won’t boost the economy and could worsen public health. Alcohol-specific deaths are at record highs, especially in deprived areas, and alcohol-related harm already costs billions annually. Longer hours may increase consumption and deepen inequalities, while evidence-based policies like minimum unit pricing are being overlooked. The government’s current approach prioritises short-term hospitality gains over long-term health, missing a chance to tackle rising alcohol harm effectively. 
  • Will progress on the NHS shape the outcome of the next election? [15/10].  
  • This blog explores how the NHS could influence the outcome of the next UK general election. Despite immigration and the economy currently topping public concerns, the NHS remains a key issue—especially during election periods, when its importance surges. Polling shows strong public support for the NHS’s founding principles, though trust in Labour, traditionally seen as the most reliable party on health, is declining. Reform UK is gaining ground, and many voters now express distrust in all parties on NHS matters. 
  • Across political lines, improving access to GP services is the public’s top priority, more so than reducing hospital waiting lists. Labour’s focus on elective care may not align with voter concerns, posing political risks. While some indicators like patient experience and waiting lists have improved, public perception remains negative. The blog concludes that visible improvements in everyday NHS services—especially general practice—could be decisive in shaping voter sentiment and election outcomes. 

Smart Thinking 

Think tank: Growth and Reform Network 

  • Healthy places, inclusive growth: Realising the potential of devolution [15/10].  
  • Population health is currently a major policy concern in the UK. At an individual level, health is a fundamental precursor to economic participation, and poor health has consistently been recognised as a drag on national and local economic growth. This policy report focuses on the role of national government in creating systemic conditions for integrating health and economic development at a place level. It draws on new insights from a comprehensive evidence review of 144 studies from high-income countries on how socioeconomic policies shape health outcomes. 

Care Quality Commission 

The King’s Fund 

  • Technology-based tensions and the 10 Year Health Plan [17/10]. 
  • This blog highlights tensions in England’s 10-year health plan, warning that a tech-heavy focus may increase hospital care, overlook prevention, and raise costs. It calls for balanced, realistic policies to ensure innovation supports long-term health goals.  
  • Another year, another leak: is a deteriorating NHS estate now a feature of national policy? [16/10].  
  • This blog highlights the worsening condition of NHS buildings, with a maintenance backlog now costing £15.9 billion—£3.5 billion of which poses serious risks to patient safety. GP premises are also aging and often unsuitable. The author argues that this deterioration reflects long-term government failure to invest and plan effectively. While the current government has pledged not to raid capital budgets for day-to-day costs, funding remains insufficient.  

London Trusts    

Barts Health NHS Trust