Bite-size guides to support patient and public participation in the NHS

Bite-size guides to support patient and public participation in the NHS NHS England has developed some bite-size guides to support patient and public participation in the NHS. These guides are linked to the Transforming participation in Health and Social Care guidance (published September 2013). The guides have been developed with partners and by reviewing good practice in each area. They aim to support Clinical Commissioning Groups and others to plan and deliver good patient and public participation. You can access the guides via the following links:

• Bite-size guide 1 – Principles for Participation in Commissioning
• Bite-size guide 2 – Governance for Participation
• Bite-size guide 3 – Planning for Participation
• Bite-size guide 4 – Budgeting for Participation

These four Bite-size guides form the first batch of a suite of bite-size resources, and more will follow throughout the year.

Employers guide to NHS Pension Scheme changes 2014/15

Employers guide to NHS Pension Scheme changes 2014/15 Our handy new guide gives an overview of the most recent changes to the NHS Pension Scheme, as well as outlining actions for your trust until April 2015. NHS Employers

2014/15 Quality and outcomes framework guidance published

2014/15 Quality and outcomes framework guidance published NHS Employers, NHS England and the General Practitioners Committee of the BMA jointly published the 2014/15 Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) guidance.

Fresh squeeze on NHS pay sparks union strike warning

Fresh squeeze on NHS pay sparks union strike warning Unions have reacted with anger to news of a fresh round of below-inflation pay rises for NHS staff in England. Ministers have announced a basic 1% pay rise, but the 600,000 nurses and other staff receiving automatic "progression-in-job" increases, "typically worth over 3%", will not get the 1% as well. BBC News

See also:

• Pay award 2014/15 and 2015/16 announced NHS Employers
• Independent report: NHS Pay Review Body 28th report: 2014 Department of Health
• Independent report: Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration 42nd report: 2014 Department of Health
• Anger at NHS pay decision The Royal College of Nursing
• 600,000 NHS workers threaten strike after 'insult' of no pay rise The Independent
• Ministers accused of contempt for NHS with fresh squeeze on public sector pay The Guardian
• Hunt's decision to cancel the NHS pay rise shows just how tight money is The Guardian
• NHS funding: hard times | Editorial The Guardian

CQC new approach to hospitals inspection: initial findings from wave 1 inspections

CQC new approach to hospitals inspection: initial findings from wave 1 inspections The report concludes that compassionate care is alive and well, as well as a strong commitment to the NHS. However, inspectors found significant variations in quality between trusts and even between services within trusts. It also found that apart from critical care and maternity, most services cannot demonstrate whether they are delivering effective care or not. Care Quality Commission

'You've got cancer' email warning

'You've got cancer' email warning A health watchdog is warning that thousands of people have been sent hoax emails suggesting they have cancer. BBC News

See also:

• Spam email sent out NICE

Statins side effects are minimal, study argues

Statins side effects are minimal, study argues “Cholesterol-lowering statins have almost no side effects,” The Guardian reports. A new UK study argues that the majority of reported side effects are actually due to the nocebo effect – symptoms that are “all in the mind”.

NHS diabetes care at ‘breaking point’ warns report

NHS diabetes care at ‘breaking point’ warns report End recruitment freezes on diabetes nurses, say experts. OnMedica

General practice plays a role in improving health services

General practice plays a role in improving health services Providers and commissioners need to work together to co-produce contracts that deliver the right outcomes for patients.

A combination of an unprecedented financial challenge, an ageing population and a desire by patients to be treated in the community whenever possible, creates a challenge and an opportunity for general practice.