Health funds could be raided

Health funds could be raided: MPs warn councils may have to tap into health budgets to pay for basic road repairs. BBC News

Reducing agency spend through five high impact actions - case studies

Reducing agency spend through five high impact actions - case studies:

The new case studies show how each of the five high impact actions, which NHS Employers identified to help reduce agency spend, can be translated into practical steps that can lead to a significant increase in quality of care and a reduction in an organisation's spend on temporary staffing. NHS Networks

A Call to Action Health Visitor Implementation Plan Summary Progress Report

A Call to Action Health Visitor Implementation Plan Summary Progress Report:

Securing a future health visiting service that is universal, energised and fit for long-term growth requires prompt action and investment. Therefore, the Department embarked on a four-year transformational programme of expanded and refocused training, recruitment and retention, professional development and improved commissioning as part of the plan to improve public health.

This summary report sets out progress made on key areas since April 2011. The Department is currently working with stakeholders to produce the first annual report in order to share information on the important work conducted by our Early Implementer Sites, the profession and service that will serve to lay the foundations for a strengthened and improved service for children and families.

Subsequent progress reports against the Government’s commitment will be published quarterly until 2015.

Department of Health

Analysis: How one NHS hospital is turning around a £13m deficit

Analysis: How one NHS hospital is turning around a £13m deficit: How does a hospital to turn around a £13m deficit? BBC Health News

CCGs could commission primary care, says NHS chief executive

CCGs could commission primary care, says NHS chief executive: Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are likely to be handed a role in commissioning primary care and could have their indicative budgets by Christmas, the NHS chief executive has said. GP Online

Cold weather plan for England

Cold weather plan for England:

This plan provides advice for individuals, communities and agencies on how to prepare for and respond to severe cold weather as part of wider winter planning and announces the ‘Warm Homes, Healthy People’ fund.

• Plan


• Dear colleague letter


• Best practice guidance


• Department of Health - publications

Department of Health

Completing the revolution: transforming mental health and tackling poverty

Completing the revolution: transforming mental health and tackling poverty:

This report concludes that the decision more than 30 years ago to close big mental hospitals and treat patients in the community has failed to help the most vulnerable. It makes recommendations in ways to improve care for those with mental illnesses, particularly in light of the transition to Clinical Commissioning Groups.

• Report


• Executive summary


• Press release

The Kings Fund

Long term health conditions 2011

Long term health conditions 2011: This study aims to capture the attitudes and behaviour of those people with a long term condition regarding the self management of their condition and their use of healthcare services. Healthcare Today

House of Lords will be able to vote on key NHS clause

House of Lords will be able to vote on key NHS clause:

Peers will be able to vote on plan to hand over 'constitutional responsibility' to provide NHS services to an unelected quango

Peers will be able to vote on the government's controversial plan to hand over its "constitutional responsibility" to provide NHS services to an unelected quango on Wednesday.

The government is attempting to convince Liberal Democrats to back a measure proposed by a former Tory lord chancellor, Lord Mackay, which would allow the health secretary to take control of the health service only in the event of "emergency, failure or breach". But an amendment by Lib Dem rebel Lady Williams, which revives the original " The Guardian

Concern over level of junior doctor training

Concern over level of junior doctor training: Almost a quarter of trainee doctors say they are regularly forced to cope with situations beyond their clinical competence or experience, according to a new survey. The Telegraph