We need to talk about tax and spending

We need to talk about tax and spending The Spring Budget brought good news and bad news for the NHS and social care. The good news is that around £2 billion of extra funding will be made available for social care in the next three years alongside additional capital for the NHS to accelerate implementation of the most advanced sustainability and transformation plans. The bad news is that the government’s U-turn on raising National Insurance contributions (NICs) to pay for public spending increases makes it much less likely that the NHS will receive additional funding needed to meet rising demand for care during this parliament. The King's Fund

NHS efficiency map

NHS efficiency map The HFMA and NHS Improvement have worked in partnership to update and revise the NHS efficiency map. The map is a tool that promotes best practice in identifying, delivering and monitoring cost improvement programmes (CIPs) in the NHS. The map contains links to a range of tools and guidance to help NHS bodies improve their efficiency.
The national focus on improving efficiency and productivity will mean taking local action to deliver savings remains a priority for all NHS organisations. Aimed at NHS finance directors and their teams and other NHS staff with an interest in the delivery of CIPs, the purpose of the NHS efficiency map is to highlight existing resources on eliminating waste, increasing efficiency and at the same time improving quality and safety. NHS Networks

NHS trust triples injury payout to £9.3m under controversial new rules

NHS trust triples injury payout to £9.3m under controversial new rules Compensation for 10-year-old girl left with cerebral palsy will cause shockwaves in health service and insurance companies. The first case settled under controversial new compensation rules for serious injuries has seen an NHS trust forced to nearly triple its payout to a 10-year-old girl left with cerebral palsy from £3.8m to £9.3m.
The case, involving East Lancashire Hospitals NHS trust, will send fresh shockwaves through the NHS and insurance companies, which have been braced for big increases in claims since the new “Ogden” formula was announced last month. The Guardian

Tooth extractions rise among under-fours

Tooth extractions rise among under-fours Surge in dental surgery on young children triggers call for action on oral health education and sugar intake. The number of tooth extractions on children aged four and under in English hospitals has risen by almost a quarter over the past decade.
NHS data obtained by the faculty of dental surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) shows there were 9,206 extractions within the age group in 2015-16 compared with 7,444 in 2006-07 – a 24% rise. The Guardian

Patients missing waiting time targets for NHS operations to 'double next year'

Patients missing waiting time targets for NHS operations to 'double next year' The number of patients forced to wait longer than four months for routine operations will more than double next year, hospital leaders have said.
NHS Providers have warned that squeezed budgets combined with increasing patient demand means parts of the health service will no longer be capable of safe and timely treatment. Daily Telegraph

Health secretary backs 'easier' medicines access system

Health secretary backs 'easier' medicines access system The way decisions are made on prescribing medicines not deemed cost-effective will be simpler in future, according to the health secretary. BBC News