15: That was the year that was: health policy in 2021 – with Lord Victor Adebowale and Hugh Alderwick

In another year shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, we explore some key health policy developments and look ahead to what 2022 might have in store. 

With Omicron dominating the headlines and a public inquiry into the handling of COVID-19 on the horizon, has government learned – and acted on – the lessons from the start of the pandemic?  

As the NHS faces the huge task of COVID-19 recovery, how will the debate about NHS performance and funding play out? Will the Health and Care Bill going through parliament be ready to come into effect next April, and what might it mean for the health system? 

And do the social care cap and recently published white paper move us any closer to the ‘fix’ that is so desperately needed for social care?

Our Chief Executive Dr Jennifer Dixon is joined by:

Lord Victor Adebowale, Chair of the NHS Confederation. Victor was awarded a CBE for services to the unemployed and homeless people and became a crossbench peer in 2001.

Hugh Alderwick, Head of Policy at the Health Foundation. Hugh leads our policy team’s work to understand and inform national policies on health and social care in England.

Useful links

Read about the Health Foundation's COVID-19 Impact Inquiry, including the final report.

Explore the Health Foundation's ongoing work on the Health and Care Bill.

Lady Hallett was announced as chair of the COVID Inquiry following our recording. Read more.

Taxes and health care funding: how does the UK compare? (The Health Foundation, 2021)

Adult social care and COVID-19 after the first wave: assessing the policy response in England (The Health Foundation, 2021)

New vision for social care will feel like hollow words without the money to deliver it (The Health Foundation, 2021)