Thursday, 16 August 2012
GP providers win just a fifth of NHS 111 contracts
GP providers win just a fifth of NHS 111 contracts: GPs providers have won just five of the 26 NHS 111 contracts awarded so far, with NHS Direct revealing it has won a further nine contracts covering 30% of the population in England. GP Online News
King's Fund: A guide for commissioners on how to measure for improving outcomes
King's Fund: A guide for commissioners on how to measure for improving outcomes:
The King's Fund have produced two slide sets to help clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) make the best use of measurement to support them to commission for improved outcomes. The slides cover general concepts about approaches to measurement in health care, the uses of structure, process and outcome indicators, how to achieve a good mix of indicators for commissioning and how commissioners can build up sets of measures along whole pathways of care. Please see the link below for details. King's Fund
The King's Fund have produced two slide sets to help clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) make the best use of measurement to support them to commission for improved outcomes. The slides cover general concepts about approaches to measurement in health care, the uses of structure, process and outcome indicators, how to achieve a good mix of indicators for commissioning and how commissioners can build up sets of measures along whole pathways of care. Please see the link below for details. King's Fund
Securing best value for NHS patients: requirements for commissioners to adhere to good procurement practice and protect patient choice
Securing best value for NHS patients: requirements for commissioners to adhere to good procurement practice and protect patient choice:
This document outlines proposals for regulations to protect patients’ interests by ensuring that commissioners always deliver best value. The Department of Health are currently seeking views on these proposals and comments will be accepted until 26th October 2012. Kings Fund
This document outlines proposals for regulations to protect patients’ interests by ensuring that commissioners always deliver best value. The Department of Health are currently seeking views on these proposals and comments will be accepted until 26th October 2012. Kings Fund
The austerity Britain report: the impact of the recession on the UK's health, according to GPs
The austerity Britain report: the impact of the recession on the UK's health, according to GPs:
This report is the result of a GP opinion survey which aimed to better understand the impact that the economic downturn of the last four years has had on the nation’s health, and how this may have impacted on GPs’ practices. It questioned GPs broadly at the impact of the recession on family planning, alcohol abuse, wellbeing, mental health and the impact on GPs themselves. Kings Fund
This report is the result of a GP opinion survey which aimed to better understand the impact that the economic downturn of the last four years has had on the nation’s health, and how this may have impacted on GPs’ practices. It questioned GPs broadly at the impact of the recession on family planning, alcohol abuse, wellbeing, mental health and the impact on GPs themselves. Kings Fund
NICE consults on new social care quality standards
NICE consults on new social care quality standards: NICE has today (16 August) launched a consultation on two new quality standards for social care; one on the health and wellbeing of looked-after children and young people and one on supporting people to live well with dementia. NICE
Four NHS staff to be charged with mistreating patients with learning disabilities - The Guardian
| Four NHS staff to be charged with mistreating patients with learning disabilities The Guardian The original inquiry was reopened after an internal investigation by the Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber mental health NHS foundation trust, and its leader, then acting Detective Chief Inspector, Natalie Shaw, said in September last year: "I can ... Guardian Four face patient abuse chargesThe Press Association Solar Centre abuse charges authorisedBBC News Four charged over neglect of patients at Doncaster hospitalYorkshire Post Yahoo! News UK -Thorne Gazette all 131 news articles » |
Patient survey suggests benefit from common procedures varies markedly by NHS provider
Patient survey suggests benefit from common procedures varies markedly by NHS provider: Comparative annual PROMs results published for first time The level of health benefit patients feel they gain from common procedures varies markedly b...NHS Information Centre
Wednesday, 15 August 2012
CQC whistleblower 'subjected to mental health assessment'
CQC whistleblower 'subjected to mental health assessment': A high-profile whistleblower at the Care Quality Commission, the health watchdog, was subjected to a mental health assessment after raising concerns about poor leadership and performance at the organisation, internal documents show.
Telegraph
Telegraph
Launch of part two of the single operating model for strategic health authority clusters
Launch of part two of the single operating model for strategic health authority clusters:
A letter sent out on the 3 August indicates the launch of part two of the single operating model (SOM) for strategic health authority (SHA) clusters, focussing on SHA oversight of NHS trusts to support the foundation trust pipeline.
The guidance for this next stage of the SOM details the rationale for this launch alongside the detail of the model and the associated tools to deliver this.
Write-able versions of the self certification templates can be found below. Further tools may be issued following this launch to supplement these.
Department of Health
A letter sent out on the 3 August indicates the launch of part two of the single operating model (SOM) for strategic health authority (SHA) clusters, focussing on SHA oversight of NHS trusts to support the foundation trust pipeline.
The guidance for this next stage of the SOM details the rationale for this launch alongside the detail of the model and the associated tools to deliver this.
Write-able versions of the self certification templates can be found below. Further tools may be issued following this launch to supplement these.
- single operating model: part two letter
- delivering the NHS foundation trust pipeline: single operating model part 2 – SHA oversight of NHS trusts
- writeable self-certification templates (Excel 2003)
- writeable self-certification templates (Excel 2010)
Department of Health
Views sought for review of cosmetic procedures
Views sought for review of cosmetic procedures:
A major review of cosmetic surgery and procedures is launched today by the Department of Health.
The review, led by NHS Medical Director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, wants people to give their views on and share their experiences of the cosmetic surgery industry and cosmetic procedures. A call for evidence asks for views on:
A team of experts will assist Sir Bruce Keogh to gather evidence and make recommendations to the Government by next March.
The review, requested by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, is in response to concerns raised about the industry following the PiP breast implant controversy. Department of Health
A major review of cosmetic surgery and procedures is launched today by the Department of Health.
The review, led by NHS Medical Director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, wants people to give their views on and share their experiences of the cosmetic surgery industry and cosmetic procedures. A call for evidence asks for views on:
- the regulation and safety of products used in cosmetic interventions
- how best to ensure that the people who carry out procedures have the necessary skills and qualifications
- how to ensure that organisations have the systems in place to look after their patients both during their treatment and afterwards
- how to ensure that people considering cosmetic surgery and procedures are given the information, advice and time for reflection to make an informed choice
- what improvements are needed in dealing with complaints so they are listened to and acted upon.
A team of experts will assist Sir Bruce Keogh to gather evidence and make recommendations to the Government by next March.
The review, requested by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, is in response to concerns raised about the industry following the PiP breast implant controversy. Department of Health
New briefings for health and wellbeing boards
New briefings for health and wellbeing boards: The NHS Confederation has published two new resources for health and wellbeing board (HWB) members. The briefings aim to help both GP commissioners and local authorities understand some of the structural and cultural differences between the NHS and local government. The briefing for GP Commissioners includes information on what councils do, how they are structured and how they work across tiers. The purpose is to help commissioners understand more about local government and suggest ways of bridging structural and cultural differences to build strong, productive local partnerships. The briefing for local councillors and officers explains the implications of the changes introduced by the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and includes tips for councillors when working with health colleagues and for strong and cohesive working.
Briefing for GP Commissioners: http://www.nhsconfed.org/Publications/Documents/government-guide-commissioners.pdf
Briefing for local councillors and officers: http://www.nhsconfed.org/Publications/Documents/gp-commissioners-councillors-officers.pdf
CASH Full news feed
Briefing for GP Commissioners: http://www.nhsconfed.org/Publications/Documents/government-guide-commissioners.pdf
Briefing for local councillors and officers: http://www.nhsconfed.org/Publications/Documents/gp-commissioners-councillors-officers.pdf
CASH Full news feed
End blacklisting of NICE-approved drugs
End blacklisting of NICE-approved drugs: PCT clusters and CCGs should publish information which sets out which NICE technology appraisals are included in their local formularies from April 2013. NICE
Diabetes prescriptions up by 50% in six years
Diabetes prescriptions up by 50% in six years:
Data shows how diabetes is having growing impact on health service
Diabetes prescription numbers topped 40m for the first time last year, according to official figures. The number of diabetes prescriptions rose by nearly 50% in six years, from 27.1m in 2005-06 to 40.6m in 2011-12, data from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) shows.
Net cost of diabetes drugs also rose by just under 50% during the same period, according to the report. In 2005-06 diabetes drugs cost the NHS £514m. Last year they cost £760.3m.
The growth is much greater than the rise seen in prescription numbers overall, at 33%. As a result, diabetes drugs take up a bigger share of both total drugs dispensed and the total net cost to the NHS each year.
While the overall cost of drugs to the NHS fell last year by 1%, the diabetes drugs bill increased by nearly 5%.
Tim Straughan, HSCIC's chief executive, said: "Our figures show diabetes is having a growing impact on prescribing in a very obvious way, from the amount of prescriptions dispensed to patients in primary care to the annual drugs bill costs to the NHS.
"Other reports we produce, such as our National Diabetes Audit and the Quality and Outcomes Framework, also demonstrate the impact of diabetes is widespread in all areas of the health service, from pharmacy to hospital care. When all this information is considered together, it presents a full and somewhat-concerning picture of the increasing impact of this condition." Guardian
Diabetes prescription numbers topped 40m for the first time last year, according to official figures. The number of diabetes prescriptions rose by nearly 50% in six years, from 27.1m in 2005-06 to 40.6m in 2011-12, data from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) shows.
Net cost of diabetes drugs also rose by just under 50% during the same period, according to the report. In 2005-06 diabetes drugs cost the NHS £514m. Last year they cost £760.3m.
The growth is much greater than the rise seen in prescription numbers overall, at 33%. As a result, diabetes drugs take up a bigger share of both total drugs dispensed and the total net cost to the NHS each year.
While the overall cost of drugs to the NHS fell last year by 1%, the diabetes drugs bill increased by nearly 5%.
Tim Straughan, HSCIC's chief executive, said: "Our figures show diabetes is having a growing impact on prescribing in a very obvious way, from the amount of prescriptions dispensed to patients in primary care to the annual drugs bill costs to the NHS.
"Other reports we produce, such as our National Diabetes Audit and the Quality and Outcomes Framework, also demonstrate the impact of diabetes is widespread in all areas of the health service, from pharmacy to hospital care. When all this information is considered together, it presents a full and somewhat-concerning picture of the increasing impact of this condition." Guardian
Tuesday, 14 August 2012
Praise for staff as NGH publishes annual report, announces AGM
Praise for staff as NGH publishes annual report, announces AGM: Northampton General Hospital's chief executive and chairman have praised the 'outstanding' performance of their staff in the hospital's annual report for 2011/12. NGH News
Air ambulance to run car scheme
Air ambulance to run car scheme: Northamptonshire's air ambulance service is introducing an emergency car scheme for when the helicopter is not in use. BBC Northampton
Digital technology essentials guide
Digital technology essentials guide:
This guide provides a brief summary of a wide range of enabling, affordable digital technologies, aimed to assist organisations in meeting their QIPP targets. NHS Networks
This guide provides a brief summary of a wide range of enabling, affordable digital technologies, aimed to assist organisations in meeting their QIPP targets. NHS Networks
David Nicholson sets out the next stage in the transition to the new health and care system
David Nicholson sets out the next stage in the transition to the new health and care system:
NHS Chief Executive, David Nicholson, has today written to NHS leaders to set out the next stage in the transition to the new health and care system.
In the letters he sets out arrangements to ensure stability and resilience for the current system through transition to the new health and care system from April 2013. Some of the staff appointed to leadership roles in NHS Commissioning Board will manage relevant operational delivery in the current system for 2012/13 and planning for the new system for 2013/14.
For more information and to read the letters visit the Department of Health website. NHS Commissioning Board
NHS Chief Executive, David Nicholson, has today written to NHS leaders to set out the next stage in the transition to the new health and care system.
In the letters he sets out arrangements to ensure stability and resilience for the current system through transition to the new health and care system from April 2013. Some of the staff appointed to leadership roles in NHS Commissioning Board will manage relevant operational delivery in the current system for 2012/13 and planning for the new system for 2013/14.
For more information and to read the letters visit the Department of Health website. NHS Commissioning Board
Update on new guidance and policy for managing the transition
Update on new guidance and policy for managing the transition: The guidance on recruitment and exit terms has been amended and the national policy and process on filling of posts in receiving organisations has also been published. NHS Employers
Equality analysis: health visiting programme
Equality analysis: health visiting programme:
This analysis describes what is known about the health visiting workforce and users of services and how the health visitor programme will address factors, which may encourage inequality.
Kings Fund
This analysis describes what is known about the health visiting workforce and users of services and how the health visitor programme will address factors, which may encourage inequality.
Kings Fund
Online tool to search for local care providers
Online tool to search for local care providers:
The Provider Quality Profile, an online tool launched by the Care Quality Commission, will allow people to compare care providers and is available on NHS Choices.The Department of Health website explained: "It allows users to search for local providers within an area and link to CQC reports and information about the provider. The service is being extended and will allow providers to include key info... Healthcare Today
The Provider Quality Profile, an online tool launched by the Care Quality Commission, will allow people to compare care providers and is available on NHS Choices.The Department of Health website explained: "It allows users to search for local providers within an area and link to CQC reports and information about the provider. The service is being extended and will allow providers to include key info... Healthcare Today
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