National Voices Annual Report 2020

Wednesday, 30 September, 2020

I am pleased to introduce the National Voices Annual Report for 2019-20. This year has been one of change for us, and with the Covid-19 crisis taking hold at the end of the year, it also marked the beginning of an important period for the charity sector and the whole country. Despite this challenging backdrop, National Voices has had a very successful year, demonstrating its unique and vital role in changing health and care, and growing its membership, income and influence.

Charlotte Augst - Chief Exec

Rapid data: We need it now (and in the future)

Friday, 11 September, 2020

Lessons from the COVID-19 experience should shape a better system for rapid nationwide data reporting 

The lessons learned from the COVID-19 experience around what it takes to provide high-value rapid information to the government, regions and hospitals across the country should not be lost as healthcare environments attempt to return to normal. Continuous data entry, integrated analysis and timely reporting are all essential to organise and provide optimal care to patients

The National Institute for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (NICOR) has worked with the cardiovascular Professional Societies and individual hospitals to ensure a continuous flow of data, to assess the impact of COVID on patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). A close collaboration between NHS Digital, NICOR and the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership with NHS England has also transformed the information governance landscape by creating a linked ‘cardiovascular data spine’. This has enabled data to be collated and analysed rapidly to inform Government and NHS policy.

The Mental Health Emergency

Thursday, 20 August, 2020

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic will leave a deep and lasting scar on the mental health of millions in this country. The devastating loss of life, the impact of lockdown and loneliness,

and the inevitable recession that lies ahead will affect all of us.  Prioritising mental health has never been more critical than it is now. New mental health problems have developed as a result of the pandemic, and existing mental health problems have gotten worse.

Supported by these findings in this report, we are urging  the UK and Welsh Governments to put mentalhealth at the very centre of their recovery plans. As we look to the future, those in power must make the right choices to rebuild services and support, and to ensure that the society that comes after the pandemic is kinder, fairer and safer for everyone experiencing a mental health problem.

Assessing the impact of COVID on Social Care

Saturday, 1 August, 2020

COVID-19 outbreaks in care homes may be driven by multiple factors, including community transmission as well as infections picked up during hospital stays. Our analysis shows that between 17 March and 30 April, discharges from hospitals to care homes decreased in England to 86% of the historical average. 46,700 people were discharged from hospital to care homes between 17 March and 30 April – 7,700 fewer than previous years. The data available do not allow us to examine whether these discharges led to subsequent outbreaks in care homes.

Assessing the Policy response to COVID

Saturday, 1 August, 2020

Government policies to support social care have faced major and widespread problems. There have been significant issues with access to testing and PPE, leading to a lack of protection for some people using and providing adult social care. Local authorities report that additional government funding has not been enough to cover COVID-19 costs. The fragmentation of the social care system has made it difficult to coordinate support.

Protecting and strengthening social care services appears to have been given far lower priority by national policymakers than protecting the NHS. Policy action on social care has been focused primarily on care homes and risks leaving out other vulnerable groups and services.

The Doctor will Zoom you now

Friday, 24 July, 2020

The report is about a rapid, qualitative research study designed to understand the patient experience of remote and virtual consultations.   All participants in the study had experienced a remote consultation during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic.   Appointments were for GP, hospital outpatient, follow-up and mental health consultations.