Andy Cowper

Team Truss’s top three themes already twisted into knots
28 Sep 2022 Communications
Team Truss’s top three themes already twisted into knots
The NHS, the energy crisis and the economy were would-be PM Truss's top priorities. But the Plan for Patients is underwhelming
As Sunak and Truss battle it out to be PM, they have yet to address the health and care crisis
25 Jul 2022 Health & Social Care
As Sunak and Truss battle it out to be PM, they have yet to address the health and care crisis
The waiting list is growing, ambulance services are in crisis, and Covid isn't over. None of this has cropped up meaningfully in the leadership debates
Health Week Two: The Saj rides to the rescue
14 Jun 2022 Health & Social Care
Health Week Two: The Saj rides to the rescue
Health columnist Andy Cowper looks back on the return of Health Week, assesses the latest review of NHS leadership, and looks for information on the promised 40-new hospitals
Politicians gloat about their Covid successes, but the truth is nothing to shout about
10 May 2022 Coronavirus
Politicians gloat about their Covid successes, but the truth is nothing to shout about
Matt Hancock says the UK's performance was "similar to or better than most comparable countries", but let's not forget the fiascos
While the chancellor deals in economic optimism, reality in the NHS is tough – and getting tougher
27 Apr 2022 Coronavirus
While the chancellor deals in economic optimism, reality in the NHS is tough – and getting tougher
Sunak's plan to cut £4.75bn in “efficiency savings” from the NHS budget is a classic of the “heroic optimism untethered to reality” genre
The NHS workforce plan: the Godot of public policy?
22 Mar 2022 Commercial
The NHS workforce plan: the Godot of public policy?
Workforce shortages and an end to free lateral flow testing are just some of the issues giving our health columnist a headache
As Big Dog nears his final trip to the vet, briefings break out over the NHS Elective Recovery Plan
23 Feb 2022 Coronavirus
As Big Dog nears his final trip to the vet, briefings break out over the NHS Elective Recovery Plan
The plan forms a handy battleground for Conservative leadership ambitions but gives little detail on how aspirations to cut waiting lists will be met, Andy Cowper writes
Andy Cowper: The PM plays party games while the NHS strains under Covid pressures
19 Jan 2022 Coronavirus
Andy Cowper: The PM plays party games while the NHS strains under Covid pressures
The PM’s non-apology on the “BYOB” No.10 garden party won’t convince many. Meanwhile, NHS workforce and waiting list challenges remain
Andy Cowper: When an omnishambles meets Omicron
14 Dec 2021 Health & Social Care
Andy Cowper: When an omnishambles meets Omicron
Missionary zeal from Boris Johnson cannot distract us from the realities of the crunch facing the NHS and the creaking social-care system
With the healthcare system on its knees, 'The Saj' talks about making plans
19 Nov 2021 Finance
With the healthcare system on its knees, 'The Saj' talks about making plans
Andy Cowper reviews the last month of health and social care news
Andy Cowper: Learning the lessons from Covid-19
18 Oct 2021 Coronavirus
Andy Cowper: Learning the lessons from Covid-19
At a time of taxing politics – and politicising taxes – a government review of NHS management mustn’t get in the way of learning from the pandemic
Andy Cowper: So, are social care and the NHS now sorted?
15 Sep 2021 Health & Social Care
Andy Cowper: So, are social care and the NHS now sorted?
The government’s tax hike for health and social care will provide extra funding, but does it go far enough?
Andy Cowper: A new NHS chief exec, and a personal responsibility lecture from Boris Johnson
30 Jul 2021 Health & Social Care
Andy Cowper: A new NHS chief exec, and a personal responsibility lecture from Boris Johnson
The PM has gone ahead with the Covid unlocking, but the new health secretary had to go nearly straight into isolation after testing positive. Sajid Javid also got to grips with his in-tray, including appointing a new NHS chief
Andy Cowper: The Treasury’s back – and so is Dom
08 Jun 2021 Coronavirus
Andy Cowper: The Treasury’s back – and so is Dom
The Department of Health and Social Care – and its secretary of state – has had another month in the headlines. But did it just see its future in the school funding row?
Andy Cowper: An Act for NHS reform, but an argument over the bill for social care
19 May 2021 Health & Social Care
Andy Cowper: An Act for NHS reform, but an argument over the bill for social care
In his first column for CSW, health policy expert Andy Cowper reviews Simon Stevens’s Whitehall legacy, and considers the changes being wrought by the new round of health reforms the NHS boss authored