Policy and strategy

Find out about

Why Health?

We've completed a study for the London Development Agency, exploring the links between health improvement and sustainable economic development.

For policy-makers and practitioners involved in economic development, the report builds a robust, evidence-based case for taking health impact into account when shaping their work.

We use methods such as business & strategic planning support tools, whole system simulations and futures work to help organisations respond to complex policy challenges. Issues of equality and diversity are at the forefront of this work.

Business and strategic planning

• our reports on dental futures for children [download PDF, 1.3MB] and on reforming prison dental health services [download PDF, 600Kb]
• Learning from the NHS in change [download PDF, 400Kb]
• Managing Childhood Asthma in Schools [download PDF, 450Kb]

We use a range of approaches to help individuals and organisations explore the likely impact of forces and drivers on the health system. We help clients to interpret policy in a meaningful way, supporting the development of strategic responses that are aligned with health service reform, and that also work to address the particular needs of the local health economy.

We have strong links with a range of UK government departments, as well as academic institutions.

OPM contact Stefan Cantore t: 020 7239 7800
email Stefan

Examples

DoH: Good practice guide for prison dental health in England We were invited to review progress since the production of the prison dental health action plans that followed from the 2003 policy to modernise prison health. The project led to a publication for the Department of Health and major national conference to promote awareness of good practice in the commissioning and provision of these neglected services.

London SHAs: Commissioning a Patient-Led NHS in London All SHAs and PCTs in England were asked to consider how they would implement the new arrangements under 'commissioning a patient-led NHS' as well as to detail the implications of this policy for their organisational configuration. OPM was commissioned by the five London SHAs to support them in this work. We supported the SHAs in negotiating a preferred position and implementation programme and in drafting the submission to the Department of Health.

Simulations

• Out of Hours? [download PDF, 70Kb] Report of an event to examine and test the shape of out of hours provision in primary care.
• Read our simulation report, Levers, Contracts and Choice: the future of primary care [download PDF, 200Kb]
• Read our simulation report, Networks: Resolving the collateral issues associated with managed clinical networks [download PDF, 220Kb]

Over the years, we have run many simulations, from the famous 'Rubber Windmill' back in 1990 to recent large scale simulations for NHS Wales.

We believe it is important to enable all stakeholders in a health economy to contribute to the development and planning of health and social care services. To this end, we often use simulations to help multi-agency stakeholder groups develop a joined-up response to the complex challenges of reforming their whole health care system.

OPM contact: Beth Anderson, Fellow, Organisational Development and Policy
email Beth

Examples

Faculty of Public Health Medicine: 'Choosing Health' This simulation explored the delivery platform for public health services in the light of the White Paper 'Choosing Health'

Futures work

We are experienced in applying data modelling techniques in order to understand likely future trends in health and social care services. We use this information, in conjunction with qualitative methodologies, to develop future scenarios. Then we support agencies as they work through the implications of these forecasts for the planning and delivery of services.

OPM contact: Phil Copestake, Head, Analytical Studies. Email Phil

Examples

DOH: Child dental health futures In collaboration with the Futures Foundation, we undertook a study on dental decay in children and young people up to the age of fifteen. The trigger for the review was the question: given that children's dental health has improved significantly over the past twenty years, will this trend continue and what scope is there for further improvement?

Scottish Executive: Future of carers This exercise combined qualitative and quantitative research methods to assess the future needs of unpaid carers in Scotland. Reporting to ministers, the work has influenced a major review of social work and the 20 year plan for the NHS in Scotland, and is the most comprehensive review of the future needs of unpaid carers in Europe. Read the 'Future of carers' report [download PDF, 320Kb]

Greater London Authority, London Assembly and the Mayor's Office: Primary care Scrutiny into access to primary care services. OPM held public discussions and deliberations around access to services across London and their views on the proposed changes and modernisation of these services over the next five to ten years.

Equality and diversity

Find out about our equality and diversity work supporting health and social care organisations

Health and social care organisations have long recognised the importance of diversity and equality, both in the services they provide and within their workforce. Driven by legislation such as the Race Relations Amendment Act, and national initiatives such as Positively Diverse, many organisations have already taken important steps to address the continually-developing 'diversity and equality agenda'. We are working on this theme in other sectors too: one of OPM's greatest strengths is our ability to bring what we learn in other sectors to bear on our work in health and social care.

OPM contact: Sophie Ahmad
email Sophie

Examples

London borough: A review of health inequalities A local health partnership commissioned us to review strategic arrangements for addressing health inequalities and to make recommendations about how these could be improved in the future.

For more information about our work with health and social care organisations, please contact Paul Tarplett, Director, t: 020 7239 7800 email Paul