Localism, Devolution and Transformation in the NHS: What Can We Learn From History? Symposium 2017

Localism, Devolution and Transformation in the NHS: What Can We Learn From History?

Organised by the Centre for History in Public Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the Institute of Public Policy Research, London. Sponsored by the Wellcome Trust.

This symposium will bring together historians and policy makers to ask what we can learn from 20th century British history about the decentralisation of health powers and the local reform agenda. Greater devolution has been common ground in public policy in recent years, both across the four nations of the UK, and subsequently to regions and local authorities - with Devo-Manc and STPs at the forefront of peoples’ minds. See document below for more information.

AGENDA:

11.00-11.15 Opening remarks:

• Introduction: contemporary. Place and local decision-making in the NHS today – the devolution and STP agendas. (Harry Quilter-Pinner, IPPR)
• Introduction: historical. Outline chronology of the local and national in the administrative structure of the British health system; purpose of day. (Martin Gorsky, LSHTM)

11.15-12.15 Session 1 Before the NHS: the strengths and weaknesses of the localist, pluralist system that obtained before the NHS, and why it was abandoned in 1944-8.

• Interwar health care – localism, pluralism and the ‘optimist’ and ‘pessimist’ interpretations Barry Doyle (University of Huddersfield)
• The Birth of the NHS. Why Wasn’t It Local Government? John Stewart, (Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine, Oxford)
• Contemporary reflections Paul Corrigan, (Imperial College/Innovation Unit)

12.15-1.15 Session 2 What has been the ‘N’ in NHS? How have policy-makers interested in devolving power balanced local and national interests? How have public attitudes towards the NHS as a national institution evolved and why do they matter?

• Rhetoric and Reality in the Centre-Periphery Relationship; a Brutally Brief History. Rudolf Klein (University of Bath)
• What is the ‘N’ in the NHS? Roberta Bivins/Mathew Thomson (University of Warwick)
• Contemporary reflections Lord Peter Smith (Chair Health Devolution Board)

LUNCH 1.15-2.00

Session 3 Local decision-making, national issues – the long view

2.00-2.35 i The Balance of Care

• Hospital or Community Care? Activism and the politics of hospital closures since the 1970s, Jennifer Crane (University of Warwick)
• Contemporary reflections: Candace Imison (Director of Policy Nuffield Trust)

2.35-3.45 ii Beyond the NHS

• The Health/Social Care Boundary since 1960: the challenges of integration and joint-working for older people with complex health needs, Gerald Wistow (LSE)
• Public Health In and out of Local Government 1948-2012: changing place of the Public Health function, Alex Mold (LSHTM)

• Contemporary reflections: Integrating health into local government? Will Blandamer, (Director Care and Integration, Wigan Council)

3.45-4.00 Tea Break

4.00-5.00 Conclusion: Historical Lessons for the Localism Debate?

• Panel overviews and reactions by contemporary respondents. (Nick Timmins (Institute of Government/Kings Fund), Mark Exworthy (University of Birmingham), Dave West (Health Services Journal)

Refreshments will be available in the South Courtyard Cafe' area.