Showing papers by "Julian Le Grand published in 2007"

Is the British National Health Service equitable? The evidence on socioeconomic differences in utilization.

Abstract: Is the British National Health Service (NHS) equitable? This paper considers one part of the answer to this: the utilization of the NHS by different socioeconomic groups (SEGs). It reviews recent evidence from studies on NHS utilization as a whole based on household surveys (macro-studies) and from studies of the utilization of particular services in particular areas (micro-studies). The principal conclusion from the majority of these studies is that, while the distribution of use of general practitioners (GPs) is broadly equitable, that for specialist treatment is pro-rich. Recent micro-studies of cardiac surgery, elective surgery, cancer care, preventive care and chronic care support the findings of an earlier review that use of services was higher relative to need among higher SEGs.

The Politics of Choice and Competition in Public Services

Abstract: The politics of choice and competition in public services are complex. Only public service users seem basically to want choice. Providers prefer alternative models of service delivery especially those that rely upon trust. Social democrats prefer voice and trust; conservatives want choice and competition to be exercised in the context of a full private market. Yet, so long as they are properly designed, policies aimed at promoting choice and competition can serve the interests of all these groups better than the alternatives.

Consistent care matters: exploring the potential of social work practices

Abstract: Following the publication of the Care Matters Green Paper, the Social Care Practices Working Group was established by the DfES and tasked with taking forward the commitment in Care Matters to explore the feasibility of piloting social work practices. Care Matters proposed the creation of Social Work Practices (SWPs) that would benefit both looked-after children and social workers if the latter were organised along the lines of professional partnerships, mirroring similar arrangements for legal and medical partnerships. There are a number of different forms that SWPs could take, but the preferred model is that of the professional partnership: a group of six to ten partners, the majority of whom would be social workers. The partnership would contract with the local authority to provide field social work for looked after children, and would commission services that its own staff could not provide. It would own its assets and pay the partners and any staff that it might employ.

Making social policy work : essays in honour of Howard Glennerster

Abstract: Introduction ~ John Hills, Julian Le Grand and David Piachaud Part One: The aims of social policy: Principles, Poor Laws and welfare states ~ Jose Harris Welfare: what for? ~ Tania Burchardt Part Two: Delivering social policy: Families, individuals and the state ~ Jane Lewis Schools, financing and educational standards ~ Anne West Financing higher education: tax, graduate tax or loans? ~ Nicholas Barr Quasi-markets in healthcare ~ Julian Le Grand Social care: choice and control ~ Martin Knapp Neighbourhood renewal, mixed communities and social integration ~ Anne Power Part Three: Redistribution: between households over time between areas: The restructuring of redistribution ~ David Piachaud Pensions, public opinion and policy ~ John Hills Distributing resources ~ Tony Travers

Collaborative Commissioning of Secondary Care Services by Primary Care Trusts

Abstract: This article examines collaborations between primary care trusts in the commissioning of secondary care services in England. It applies principal-agent theory qualitatively to two case studies. The theory suggests that collaboration should take place if organizations share relevant information and agree joint objectives. The study findings show that sharing information is not a major problem for these case studies, but that agreeing joint objectives is.

Making social policy work

Abstract: Social policy is now central to political debate in Britain. What has been achieved by efforts to improve services and reduce poverty? What is needed to deliver more effective and popular services to all and increase social justice? How can we make social policy work? These are some of the questions discussed in this new and wide-ranging collection of essays by a distinguished panel of leading social policy academics. The book covers key issues in contemporary social policy, particularly concentrating on recent changes. It examines the history and goals of social policy as well as its delivery, focusing in turn on the family and the state, schools, higher education, healthcare, social care, communities and housing. Redistribution is also examined, exploring child poverty, pension reform and resources for welfare.The essays in this collection have been specially written to honour the 70th birthday of Howard Glennerster whose pioneering work has been concerned not only with the theoretical, historical and political foundations of social policies but, crucially, with how they work in practice. It is a collection of primary importance for those working in and interested in policy and politics in a wide variety of fields and for students of social policy, public policy and the public sector.