2020health

2020healthis a web-based centre right think tank for health and social care, set up in 2006. It describes itself as 'an independent, grass-roots, think tank for health and technology interested in realistic solutions', which aims to 'uniquely focus on bottom-up policy development by front line professionals.

According to its website, the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley said of 2020health: “I have been very impressed with some of the discussions and documents that have emerged from 2020health. They are looking at serious issues (for example vaccination, dentistry, screening) and providing valuable impact on future policy.”, He also chose 2020health’s annual lecture in January to launch the Conservative Party’s green paper on public health

Activities

2020health describes its primary concerns as:

• Inequalities, wise use of resources, uptake of new technologies, evidence based care.

And its current interests (autumn 2010) as:

• Commissioning; Causes of mental health illness; Elderly care; Work and wellbeing; NHS IT; Value-based pricing; long term conditions; reconfiguration; diabetic care.

Reports it has published include:

• 'Responsibility in healthcare: changing the culture' by Julia Manning and Emma Hill, published in January 2010. This advocated ending free treatment for minor or “lifestyle” illnesses. It includes in this varicose veins, fertility treatment, cosmetic surgery and moderate increases in blood pressure or cholesterol. Such changes would leave people needing treatment in the hands of private healthcare providers.

Personnel

Directors

• Julia Manning, CEO and founder
• Dr Jonathan Shapiro, consultant director
• Gail Beer, consultant director
• John Cruickshank, consultant director
• Richard Lucas, consultant director
• Professor Nigel Cameron, consultant director and board member

Board members

• Tom Sackville, Chairman. Sackville – a former Conservative minister – is CEO of the International Federation of Health Plans, which represents one hundred private health insurance companies in 31 countries.<ref>[

2020health.org,About Us, accessed 14 September 2010.

2020health.org,About Us: Endorsements, accessed 5 October 2010.

2020health.org,Annual Health Lecture, accessed 5 October 2010.

Julia Manning and Emma Hill Responsibility in healthcare: changing the culture, 2020health, January 2010