Preparing for and responding to a pandemic

In 2013 the Centre raised significant concerns about whether the NHS and social care were likely to be able to respond to a future pandemic.

We undertook this research in the light of the restructuring of the NHS which resulted from the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

Our research carried out with specialists in public health and disease control found that the new market based approach to delivering healthcare introduced by the 2012 Act made the NHS less well prepared to respond to a pandemic. 

In 2023 after the government had restructured the public health system following the COVID 19 pandemic, we worked with Directors of Public Health in England to understand whether these changes would make the country better prepared to respond to a future pandemic.

Responding to the COVID 19 pandemic

During the COVID 19 pandemic we also carried out research into the government’s response. 

We examined two aspects of the government’s response to the pandemic – the impact of the pandemic on the finances of the care home sector and the use of the private hospital sector to support the NHS.

You can read our analysis of the care home sector here.

We published two public interest reports into the contract between the NHS and the private hospital sector in 2021 and 2023.  

In 2024 we were appointed as core participants in the COVID 19 and we submitted detailed evidence to the Inquiry on the use of the private hospital sector. 

Reports on preparing for and responding to a pandemic

Reports
After the pandemic: is the new public health system in England fit for purpose?
After the pandemic: is the new public health system in England fit for purpose?

As the current pandemic has shown an effective, well organised accountable public health system is not only key to controlling the spread of a disease – permitting the wider economy and public services to function – but is also vital in addressing growing health inequalities.

Getting behind the Curve? Is the NHS ready for pandemic flu?
Getting behind the Curve? Is the NHS ready for pandemic flu?

This report finds that reforms made to the NHS following the Health and Social Care Act of 2012 have impacted upon its ability to deal effectively with a possible flu pandemic.

Reports on the government’s response to the COVID 19 pandemic

Reports
Bailed out and burned out? The financial impact of COVID-19 on UK care homes for older people and their workforce 
Bailed out and burned out? The financial impact of COVID-19 on UK care homes for older people and their workforce 

A two year study examining the financial impacts of the pandemic on UK care homes for older people and their staff.

The Devil is in the Detail - NHS England's Contracts with the Private Hospital Sector during COVID
The Devil is in the Detail - NHS England's Contracts with the Private Hospital Sector during COVID

This report analyses the contractual mechanisms of NHSE’s £2bn+ deal with the private hospital sector during COVID, building on our 2021 report ‘For Whose Benefit’ using newly obtained activity data and the contracts themselves.

For Whose Benefit? NHS England’s contract with the private hospital sector in the first year of the pandemic
For Whose Benefit? NHS England’s contract with the private hospital sector in the first year of the pandemic

This report analyses the government’s use of the private hospital sector to alleviate the burden on the NHS during the first year of the COVID pandemic.

Blogs on Preparing for and responding to a pandemic

Our impact in the media on preparing for & responding to a pandemic

BBC News: CHPI Warwick Business School study into care home finances during the pandemic April 2023