Category: Health Policy

Health Bulletin

Dear all,

Health effects of vape device components.
UK Parliament; 2026.
https://post.parliament.uk/health-effects-of-vape-device-components/
[Vapes are more popular than cigarettes in the UK. What do vape devices and e-liquids contain and how do they affect health?]
Freely available online

Effect of home visiting support on maternal psychosocial needs and postnatal depression: emulating a target trial. [Abstract]
Baba K. BMJ Mental Health 2026;29(1):1-8.
Check for full-text availability
[Adolescent and young adult (AYA) mothers often experience unmet psychosocial needs, and those under 25 years of age are at increased risk of perinatal depression. Although home visiting programmes may be beneficial, no controlled trial has evaluated a programme co-designed with first-time AYA mothers and grounded in their lived experiences. The Early Partnership programme was acceptable and effective in improving perceived fulfilment of psychosocial needs and postnatal depressive symptoms.]

Children’s and Young People’s Mental Health Services: 2024-25.
Office of the Children’s Commissioner; 2026.
https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/resource/childrens-and-young-peoples-mental-health-services-2024-25/
[The number of children referred to mental health services in England has risen by 10% in a year to more than one million.]
Freely available online

Impacts of Screen Time, Media and Technology Use on Under 2s during the first 1001 Critical Days: A Systematic Review.
Clayton C. University of Leeds 2026;:1-143.
[The benefit of digital screen exposure for babies is negligible, while the potential risks of use on physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development are substantial.]
Freely available online

The Kings Fund: Public Satisfaction with NHS and Social Care Hits Record Lows

The latest British Social Attitudes survey reveals that public satisfaction with both the NHS and social care services in the UK has reached unprecedented lows.

  • NHS Satisfaction: Only 21% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the NHS, marking the lowest level since the survey began in 1983. Key concerns include long waiting times, staffing shortages, and difficulties accessing services like A&E and dentistry.
  • Social Care Satisfaction: Satisfaction with social care services remains at a mere 13%, the lowest ever recorded. Major reasons for dissatisfaction include inadequate pay and working conditions for care workers, insufficient support for unpaid carers, and many individuals not receiving the care they need.

These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and increased investment in both sectors to address the growing concerns of the public.​

Read the full report: The King’s Fund

The King’s Fund: Social Care Review

The King’s Fund’s latest Social Care 360 report examines the state of adult social care in England, highlighting funding shortfalls, workforce shortages, and access challenges. While spending has risen, it hasn’t kept up with demand, leaving many without vital support. The report provides a crucial overview of where the system stands and what needs urgent attention.

Read more: Social Care 360 – The King’s Fund

Public Health and Population Health: Leading Together – The King’s Fund

This report, supported by The Health Foundation, examines the increased need for strong, effective leadership in public health and population health, and how the two remits can work cohesively together for the health of their populations. It offers key recommendations for national leaders, including the need for a clearer framework for population health and public health leaders to operate in, and a number of principles for local systems drawn from our findings from local good practice and wider insight.

Public Health And Population Health: Leading Together | The King’s Fund (kingsfund.org.uk)

Tackling health inequalities: seven priorities for the NHS – The King’s Fund

Drawing on The King’s Fund’s five-year programme of work on health inequalities and tackling the worst health outcomes, which includes insights from stakeholders, partners and people with lived experience, this long read outlines what we think the anticipated 10-year health plan should focus on to help the NHS do more to tackle these challenges.

Tackling Health Inequalities | Seven Priorities For The NHS | The King’s Fund (kingsfund.org.uk)

Centre for Mental Health

Recent reports

More than the sum of our parts: an evaluation of local mental health alliances.


The voluntary sector plays a vital role in supporting people with mental health difficulties. Yet, insecure funding and a lack of meaningful collaboration can inhibit voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations from providing the mental health support that people depend on. This report explores how bringing together local stakeholders – including VCSE organisations, NHS commissioners and providers of health and social care, and experts by experience – can lead to more effective and equitable support for people living with a mental illness.

CentreforMH_MoreThanTheSumOfOurParts.pdf (centreformentalhealth.org.uk)

A dual crisis: the hidden link between poverty and children’s mental health


This report explores the impact of poverty and benefit conditionality on families’ mental health. Based on research with parents and children, and a review of the evidence, it finds that money and mental health are inextricably linked; not having enough money leads to parental stress and guilt, which has a knock-on impact on children over the course of their lives. And with rates of poverty twice as high among Asian and Black families than white families, some children are ‘overexposed’ to the dual risks of poverty and poor mental health.

CentreforMH_ADualCrisis.pdf (centreformentalhealth.org.uk)

Exercising your voting rights this General Election

Everyone has the right to vote, including people with mental illness. Voting empowers individuals and influences policies that affect mental health services. Let’s support accessible voting for all, ensuring every voice is heard.

Anyone working in a mental health service with people over 18 can help ensure that their clients, patients and service users are able to vote in this General Election. Simple adjustments, conversations, reassurance and support can make a big difference.

Voting the the General ElectionDownload

The King’s Fund Bulletin

The King’s Fund has released their latest Health and Wellbeing bulletin, packed with essential updates on healthcare trends, policies, and research. This bulletin is a must-read for anyone interested in staying informed about the latest in health and wellbeing.

Make sure you subscribe to the blog to stay up-to-date with current awareness.

Health and Wellbeing Bulletin (kingsfundmail.org.uk)

Current Awareness Bulletin

With thanks to our colleagues from Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust please find the latest bulletin attached. Some articles are freely accessible, others require an Open Athens account. For support accessing any of the articles, please contact academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk

CB – 23/04/2024Download