Health Policy in Britain

This course explores the development of health policy and identifies the influences that have shaped health policy in Britain. It explores where decision making power lies, and evaluates attempts to improve quality and performance in the NHS. The course also considers the future prospects for the NHS and what health care in Britain might look like in the decades to come.

This course answers questions such as:

Why was the NHS created, and how has it evolved? How are decisions about health care in Britain made, by whom and in whose interests? What are the main challenges facing the NHS? Can it survive?

Who is it for?

This course is designed for those who are looking to develop a more in-depth and critical understanding of health policymaking in Britain.

Timetable

Term 2

On-campus (Face-to-face) lectures (Fridays 10am-1pm)
Jan: 22 January 2027
Feb: 5, 12, 19, 26 February 2027
Mar: 5, 12, 19, 26 March 2027
April: 2 April 2027

Online seminars (Thursdays 10am-11am)

Online seminars are only intended for distance learning students. Jan: 28 January 2027
Feb: 4, 11, 18, 25 February 2027
Mar: 4, 11, 18, 25 March 2027
April: 1, 8 April 2027

Benefits

The key takeaway from this course is an in-depth understanding of the history and possible future of the NHS.

This short course module is designed to be flexible in allowing you to study and reach your goals at your own pace. Our health CPD courses are credit-bearing modules that contribute to a University degree or award.

Transfer course credits towards postgraduate taught degree

As a health care professional, once you've completed this course you could offset 15 credits as part of a postgraduate programme, continuing your study with further modules to make up a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) 60 credits, Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) 120 credits or Master of Science (MSc) 180 credits qualification (all credits must be awarded within five years of study commencing).

Topics covered in this course include:

• key stages in the history and evolution of the NHS since its inception, focusing particularly on developments after 1997.
• the health policymaking process
• the influence on health policy of, for example, the medical profession; business and industry; the media and pressure groups
• the role of NHS and other bodies in managing, regulating and monitoring health services
• NHS financing and performance, including international comparisons
• Differences in health policy between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland post-devolution.
• recent policy initiatives designed to promote integrated care and improve NHS performance, including new models of care
• Prospects for the future of the NHS as a free, universal and comprehensive service, and for health care in Britain.

Teaching

Teaching takes place via a mix of lectures, group activities and discussions which allow you to examine issues in more detail, providing both teacher and peer-led input, promoting discussion and developing communication and group-working skills.

Taught sessions are supplemented by self-directed study which allows you both to gain a deeper understanding of the subject generally, and to pursue topics which are of particular interest to you in greater detail. Teaching and learning are facilitated by Moodle, the University’s online Virtual Learning Environment.

Assessment

There will be two assessments for this module:

• A 5-minute individual PowerPoint presentation (20%)
• A 2,500-word essay on a policy area or issue of contemporary relevance to health policy in Britain, chosen by you (80%)

This course is provided by the School of Health & Psychological Sciences.

Credits

This course is worth 15 credits toward eligible programmes.

• A good honours degree, second-class or equivalent
• Experience of working in the health sector may be considered as equivalent to a good honours degree for suitable applicants
• We consider applications from capable individuals who may not have prior experience of working within the health sector but have clear plans for a future career path in health policy.

English requirements

If your first language is not English, one of the following is required:

• A first degree from a UK university
• A first degree from an overseas institution recognised by City, University of London as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions from Australia, Canada or the United States of America.
• International English Language Test Service (IELTS) a score of 7.0 is required with no subtest below 6.5
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) score 72 required
• TOEFL 100 overall with 24 in Writing, 20 in Listening, 19 Reading and 20 Speaking
• Other evidence of proficiency in the English language, which satisfies the board of studies concerned, including registration with your professional regulator.

Suggested reading

• Ham, C. (2009). Health policy in Britain. 6th Edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Baggott, R. (2015). Understanding Health Policy. 2nd Edition. Bristol: Policy Press.
• NHS England (2019). NHS Long Term Plan.