Tackling future challenges in health and social care

In the UK more than 3 million people work to provide health and social care in organisations such as hospitals, GP surgeries, care homes, dental practices, charities, volunteer organisations, and many others. 

Over the next 20 years, the health and social care sector will face significant challenges that may alter how these services will be provided.  Some of the main challenges are:

1. Changing demographics: An increasingly larger share of the population is older and older people often have more complex health and care needs.  At the same time, there will be fewer young adults available to work in the health and care sectors. So there will be increasing demand for care but fewer people to provide it. 
2. Technological change: developments like artificial intelligence have the potential to reduce costs and increase the quality of care. But how we adopt and use these technologies will affect how well they work and how much the public trusts them.  
3. Climate change: The health and care sectors need to adapt to the threat of climate change and make sure that care is provided in environmentally sustainable ways.

CHE hosts the REAL Supply Research Unit to provide independent economic research and analysis to inform policy actions to address these long term challenges. Funded by the Health Foundation and working with the REAL Centre, the new research unit aims to:

1. Research: Study the factors that affect how health and care is provided in England.  We will work with collaborators such as patients, providers, regulators, educators, and those in charge of planning and financing services.
2. Build capacity: Help people and organisations to take part in economic research and to better understand and interpret research.
3. Public debate: Contribute to public discussion about the value judgments, science and processes that underpin decisions about health and care provision.

What do you think are the major long term challenges for the sector? Let us know! 

The REAL Supply Research Unit is holding an online launch event on the 7th November from 10am to 12pm. The event will be an opportunity to share your views and for us to learn together about the long term challenges faced by the sector. 

Please register for the event by 3rd November.