Health Management and Policy Alert

27/07/06 Influenza pandemic planning - operational guidance for social care

This letter introduces social care planning to establish readiness for a possible ‘flu’ pandemic. The DH  intend to issue guidance by the end of the year after a short consultation in the Autumn. It is important that social care organisations begin planning in advance of the outcome of the consultation .

DH - Dear Colleague letter

27/07/06 Pharmacy & Practice Based Commissioning bulletin published

Practice Based Commissioning (PBC) - Bulletin 5 - Pharmacy and PCC  has been published by Primary Care Contracting.

Primary Care Contracting -  Pharmacy section

26/07/06 - Audit Commission report recommending changes to the NHS financial management and accounting regime

The Review of the NHS Financial Management and Accounting Regime  recommends major changes in the National Health Service (NHS) financial management and accounting regime to help improve the financial performance of the NHS and lessen financial risks for individual bodies. It also suggests that the current system has weaknesses and needs to adapt to the new demands placed on it by the Department of Health’s reform programme. Recommendations in the review, which is based upon a substantial body of previous Commission work and wide consultation, are designed to address these issues. Key recommendations include:

• the principles of Resource Accounting and Budgeting (RAB) should no longer be applied to NHS trusts, and that NHS trusts should move onto a regime which offers sharper, more appropriate incentives for good financial performance
• changes to PCT planning and financing arrangements which would put them in a stronger position to manage their financial risks;
• specific improvements to the DH and strategic health authorities’ oversight and management of the service, covering the costing of policy initiatives, the way the Payment by Results tariff is developed and given greater certainty over the medium term, and the accuracy and availability of data;
• key elements of a more effective and swifter mechanism for identifying and dealing with financial distress at NHS bodies. In addition, financial support for organisations should be provided in the form of working capital and that the DH should establish a banking arrangement to do this;
• the specific steps to be taken to improve the skills of finance staff and the capacity of boards.

Audit Commission Press release

26/07/06 Treasury select committee publishes report on independence for National Statistics

The Treasury Select Committee published its report in response to the Government’s recent consultation paper, Independence for statistics.  This report sets out proposals to replace the Office for National Statistics (ONS) with an independent statistics office, to be established as a non-ministerial department and governed by an independent board.

Treasury Select committee press notice

26/07/06 Pay framework for very senior managers in strategic and special health authorities, primary care trusts and ambulance trusts.

The framework covers: chief executives; executive directors (except medical directors and directors of public health); and others with Board level responsibility who report directly to the chief executive. The framework document includes details of the dates from which the new arrangements will apply to different organisations and staff.

DH site -26/07/06

26/07/06 Public Health - PM's second lecture in 'Our Nation's Future' series

In a speech in Nottingham, the second in the Our Nation's Future series, the PM reflected on developments on public health policy over the years, and on the changing role of the state in people's lives.   He outlined some of his thoughts about the 'enabling state', and discussed the concept of shared responsibility for healthy living, particularly in relation to smoking, obesity and alcohol abuse.   Also, the impact of not addressing these issues on future NHS spending and the corresponding importance of persuading and empowering people to make healthier choices.   A transcript of the speech and supporting papers are available here.

No10 website  BBC news items 26/07/06

25/07/06 National Audit Office report into central government innovation published

The first report into operational innovation in central government has found that, although a deep rooted culture of risk aversion is being tackled and improvements in quality and efficiency of service are being made, government bodies could still secure greater benefits and efficiencies with more innovative and progressive approaches. This report examines 125 innovative developments, nominated by 85 government bodies, to improve their administrative and organisational practices. A diverse range of innovations was submitted, with most involving improvements to performance management, new IT or web services or other technological changes. Some of the innovations have taken years to deliver and cost millions of pounds, although the average cost was under £1 million and the timeframe was 28 months.

NAO Press Notice

25/07/06 - Audit Commission's annual review of audit work published

Stewardship and Governance 2005, reveals that public sector bodies still need to improve markedly their financial performance, financial reporting and corporate governance arrangements. The report compares the performance in 2004/05 of the health and local government sectors, which includes police and fire authorities and other related bodies, and also identifies where improvements can be made.

Audit Commission Press Release

25/07/06 Social Care Finance Survey June 2006 (Local Government Analysis and Research (LGAR))

In order to collate a record of the impact that financial deficits in some NHS trusts have had on local authorities in the same area, LGAR conducted a survey of social services departments within England. The findings of this survey are given here and suggest that where NHS trusts are in deficit showed almost seven out of ten local authorities have been affected, resulting in an impact on services.

LGA Press Release 25/07/06

25/07/06 Annual Reports

The Health Protection Agency published its Annual Report for 2005/2006.   

HPA press release  25/07/06