1.3 Explore national health policies and local initiatives

This guide will help you answer 1.3 Explore national health policies and local initiatives.

National health policies are the plans and rules made by the government to guide how health and social care services work. They set out the priorities for the nation’s health and say what the government wants to achieve. These policies affect how services are delivered, how they are funded, and how workers should practice.

National health policies are often shaped by evidence from research, health statistics and feedback from professionals and the public. They influence decisions about care, staffing, training, and prevention programmes. They give a shared direction, so all parts of the health and care system work towards the same goals.

Some key national health policies focus on:

• Promoting good health and preventing illness
• Reducing health inequalities
• Improving access to services
• Making services safe and high quality
• Protecting the public from health risks

Examples of Current National Health Policies

Several national health policies in the UK have a strong effect on health and social care work.

NHS Long Term Plan

This policy sets a ten-year vision for the NHS in England. It focuses on:

• Preventing illness through better lifestyle support
• Improving care for major diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes
• Expanding mental health services
• Using more community-based services to reduce pressure on hospitals

The plan aims to make services more co-ordinated and easier for people to access.

Health and Social Care Integration Policy

This policy encourages closer working between the NHS, local councils, and other care providers. It aims to coordinate healthcare, social care, housing, and voluntary services so that people get support that meets all their needs.

Integration is especially important for older people, people with disabilities, and those with long-term conditions who often use services from several places at once.

Care Act 2014

The Care Act is an important policy that sets out how care and support should be provided in England. It covers:

• The duty to promote wellbeing
• The right to assessments for those in need of care or support
• How carers are supported
• Safeguarding adults from abuse or neglect

This Act focuses on putting people at the centre of their care.

Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act

These laws and policies guide how to care for people with mental health conditions or those who cannot make some decisions for themselves. They protect people’s rights while making sure they get the help they need.

How National Policies Are Developed

National health policies are made through a process that involves consultation and review. The Department of Health and Social Care, along with bodies like Public Health England (now integrated into the UK Health Security Agency and Office for Health Improvement and Disparities), play a key role.

Steps in development often include:

• Gathering evidence from research and statistics
• Consulting with health professionals, care workers, patients, carers, and the public
• Drafting proposals
• Testing ideas through pilots or small projects
• Reviewing and approving the final policy in Parliament

Impact of National Health Policies on Workers

Workers in health and social care must follow national policies as part of their roles.

National policies affect:

• How services are organised
• What training and qualifications are needed
• Standards of practice
• The focus on prevention, early intervention, and personalisation
• How to protect and promote people’s rights

By following these policies, workers help improve quality and consistency in care across the UK.

Understanding Local Initiatives

Local initiatives are plans, projects, or services run by local authorities, NHS Trusts, charities, or community groups to deal with the specific needs of the area. They support national policies but are designed to meet local priorities and challenges.

Local initiatives often target issues that affect the local population more than others in the country. For example, one area may have higher rates of heart disease, while another may have more cases of type 2 diabetes.

These initiatives can be temporary projects or ongoing services. They can focus on health prevention, mental wellbeing, social inclusion, housing, or supporting certain groups like carers or young people.

Examples of Local Health Initiatives

Stop Smoking Services

Many local councils run services to help people quit smoking. These often include free one-to-one support, nicotine replacement therapies, and group sessions. They support the national policy goal of reducing smoking rates across England.

Healthy Weight Programmes

In areas where obesity is a major health concern, local services may offer free diet and exercise programmes, cooking sessions, and support groups. These help reduce long-term health issues like diabetes.

Community Mental Health Support

Many local areas have drop-in centres, counselling services, and peer support groups for people with mental health needs. These make it easier for residents to get help without travelling far.

Carers’ Support Groups

Local authorities often fund carers’ cafes or peer groups, offering social activities, emotional support, and advice for unpaid carers. This links to the Care Act’s focus on supporting those who care for others.

How Local Initiatives Are Planned

Local initiatives are usually developed by Health and Wellbeing Boards, which bring together NHS leaders, local councillors, public health experts, and community representatives. They review data from local health surveys and national statistics to see what health problems are more common in their area.

They set priorities in a document called the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). This informs the local Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Funding for these initiatives can come from local government budgets, NHS funds, or grants from charities.

How National Policies and Local Initiatives Work Together

National policies set the direction for the whole country. Local initiatives put these plans into action in ways that meet local needs.

For example:

• A national policy might say reduce smoking rates. A local initiative might open a mobile stop smoking clinic in areas where smoking is high.
• A national policy focuses on improving mental health. A local initiative might set up community drop-in centres run with charity partners.

Both levels need to work together to make care effective. Without national policies, there would be less consistency between areas. Without local initiatives, national goals might be harder to achieve.

Role of Health and Social Care Workers in Supporting Policies and Initiatives

Workers play a big part in making these plans work. Daily practice should follow the guidance set by both national and local plans.

Workers can:

• Share information about local services with the people they support
• Encourage healthy lifestyle choices
• Report needs or trends to managers so services can respond
• Take part in training linked to policy changes
• Give feedback on how policies work in practice

Following policies also helps protect workers legally and professionally, as they are meeting the standards expected in the sector.

Challenges in Applying Policies and Initiatives

Sometimes policies and initiatives face difficulties.

Challenges can include:

• Limited funding for certain services
• Difficulty recruiting enough trained staff
• Lack of awareness in the community about services
• People not wanting to engage with certain health support
• Technology or resource gaps in rural areas

Workers can help by promoting schemes, building trust with individuals, and sharing ideas to improve services.

Monitoring and Reviewing Impact

Both national and local initiatives are reviewed to see if they are meeting their aims.

This may involve:

• Collecting data on health outcomes
• Surveying people who use the services
• Checking if targets have been met
• Reviewing if resources are used effectively

For national policies, reviews may be carried out by government departments or independent bodies like the Care Quality Commission (CQC). For local initiatives, reviews are often done by local council committees or partnership boards.

If an initiative is not working well, changes can be made to improve it. This might mean adjusting how services are offered, changing opening hours, adding staff training, or shifting resources to where the need is greater.

Examples of Policy Links to Outcomes

• Childhood Obesity Plan at national level links to Daily Mile Schemes in schools at local level.
• National Dementia Strategy links to local memory cafes and dementia-friendly community schemes.
• NHS Cancer Plan links to local mobile cancer screening units in areas with low screening uptake.

These show how broad policy goals turn into practical services for people in their communities.

Ethical and Legal Links

National health policies often reflect laws that protect people’s rights. Workers must not only follow policy but also be aware of the legal duties behind them.

Examples include:

• Equality Act 2010 – requires fair treatment without discrimination.
• Health and Social Care Act – sets duties for safety, quality, and integration.
• Data Protection Act 2018 – protects confidentiality.

Local initiatives must follow these same laws. This keeps services safe, fair, and lawful.

Final Thoughts

National health policies give health and social care a clear direction and set out what the country wants to achieve. They are shaped by evidence and public needs. Local initiatives make these policies real by adapting them to the communities they serve.

Workers connect both levels through their daily actions. Knowing about the policies and the local initiatives in your area lets you support people more effectively. It keeps your work in line with government priorities and makes sure people get the help they need in a way that fits their situation.