Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) provide an important role in the developing world, often taking the place of governments in managing and implementing health related programmes and policies. Limited financial resources within local authorities also enable NGOs to provide supplementary support, working from a “grassroots” level to ensure local communities receive the necessary support and services. NGOs may also act as an intermediary body between a local community and the local government, providing a neutral platform in which to create and facilitate ‘citizen-authority’ engagement. This model is particularly pertinent due to the recent U.K. Health and Social Care Act 2012. Rapid urbanisation and the present economic environment have provided additional challenges and obstacles in the way health policy is formed and implemented. Reduced budgets, especially in the most deprived areas, during this time of substantial reorganisation require the whole city economy to consider delivering “more for less”. Citizen engagement could help to create relevant and sustainable health related programmes and policies, including “localising” top down/upstream policy decisions. This chapter discusses the current health challenges that health policy makers face in the U.K and the potential opportunities that exist for NGOs to support health care providers under the new U.K health sector reforms.
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)