Health Management and Policy Alert

2006/7 annual health check of NHS trusts

The Healthcare Commission has published performance ratings for all NHS trusts in England. The 2006/7 results show more trusts scoring “excellent”, as well as fewer scoring “fair” and “weak”. In all, one in three trusts improved on quality of services and a similar number did so on use of resources.

On quality of services:

• 46% of trusts were “excellent” or “good” - compared with last year’s 41% in these two categories
• 53% of trusts were “fair” or “weak” - compared with last year’s 59% in these two categories.

On use of resources:

• 37% of trusts were “excellent” or “good” - last year 16% were in these two categories
• 62% of trusts were “fair” or “weak” - compared with 84% in these two categories last year

See also, National overview and Directory of performance ratings

(Healthcare Commission - press release) [BBC Health - news]

Report on the National Patient Choice Survey, England - May 2007

This report gives the final results of around 75,000 responses to the seventh National Patient Choice Survey, which was commissioned to assess the implementation of choice at PCT level. The series of surveys, conducted by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the DH, monitor patient awareness of choice, and recall of having been offered a choice of hospital for their first outpatient appointment. (DH - publications)

The 2006/07 national survey of investment in mental health services

This annual survey of planned investment in adult mental health services, carried out by independent consultants, Mental Health Strategies, presents the results of the finance mapping exercise as part of the autumn review process. It provides details of the level of investment in adult mental health services in England for 2006/7 and compares it with the reported results in the five previous years. (DH - publications)

18 weeks in orthopaedics: a practical guide to support delivery and transformation

This document has been written for orthopaedic operational and commissioning managers and clinical leads as a ‘blueprint’ for preparing a plan to improve orthopaedic services. It suggests that local health communities (LHC) will wish to cover the following five key areas:

• RTT measurement: ensuring that there are robust systems for measuring referral to treatment
• Understanding the service: calculating current (and projected) capacity and demand, and identifying bottlenecks
• Engagement: developing a plan to ensure good engagement and appropriate leadership to deliver 18 weeks
• Improving productivity: creating plans both to clear any backlogs and to analyse systems and processes to help make better use of existing capacity
• Transformation: agreeing plans across the whole LHC to implement new service models that deliver a ‘no wait’ service

(Delivering the 18 week patient pathway - latest news)

Drug treatment activity in England

 

The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) has published figures that indicate the number of drug misusers in contact with structured drug treatment services in 2006/7 has increased by 130% in the eight years since 1998/9. The results, from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System, collated by Manchester University, reveal that 195,464 people were in contact with specialist drug treatment in England during 2006/7, an increase of 10% on revised figures for 2005/6 (177,055).
(NTA - press release) [DH - press release]

 

NHS organisations final accounts 2006-07

All Strategic Health Authorities and their organisations audited final financial position, have been published, showing organisations that registered a surplus, deficit or breakeven in 2006-07, along with previously published provisional information. [DH What's new]

NHS Information governance guidelines

The Department of Health has issued guidance on the range of legal and professional obligations that affect the management, use and disclosure of primarily NHS information, but also including some social care requirements. It will be primarily of use to those working within the information governance field.  It is however best practice guidance, and where necessary organisations should obtain professional legal advice. [DH What's new]

Report looking ahead to 2050 and considering the future potential levels of obesity in the population and the effect that might have on services

The 'Tackling Obesities: Future Choices' Foresight project, sponsored by the Public Health Minister, Dawn Primarolo, was an in-depth two-year study by almost 250 experts and scientists to examine the causes of obesity and map future trends to help the Government plan effective policies both now and in the future. The study found that obesity has many causes and is a much more passive phenomenon than is often assumed. Our basic biological instincts combined with our modern environment means that we're destined to put on weight. The research found that the problem of obesity will take at least 30 years to reverse.   The Department of Health has a selection of resources on obesity here.   [DIUS press release]

Fitness to practice: an assurance framework for community matrons and case managers

NHS East of England in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University, Open University, University of Essex and University of Leeds were commissioned by the Department of Health (DH) to produce the third in a series of DH guidelines, in the form of an assurance framework, to support the development and implementation of Community Matrons and Case Managers. [East of England deanery]

Dentistry Watch survey results

The Dentistry Watch survey was conducted by Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Forums throughout England between July and September 2007.  5,212 patients along with 750 dentists were asked for their views on today's dental service. The survey was undertaken to assess the state of the NHS dental system in England and report on the effect of the implementation of the new dental contract in April 2006.  [CPPIH press release]