Health Management and Policy Alert

The Flu Pandemic game: a business continuity training resource

The Flu Pandemic Game was originally developed by Camden PCT using NHS resources in partnership with Camden Council. It was designed as a training resource for their staff and to help managers of local businesses and voluntary organisations develop their business continuity plans. The Department of Health has adapted the game and there are two versions available, one specifically for use in GP practices and the other for use by healthcare and other related organisations. (Department of Health - publications)

Health in a cold climate: developing an intelligent response to the financial challenges facing the NHS

It is estimated that the NHS in England will need to find savings of £15-20bn over the period 2011-2014 and will therefore need to make significant changes as it moves from expansion to contraction. The paper considers a range of responses to the financial challenges facing the NHS and builds on discussions at a series of seminars held earlier this year which were attended by NHS management and financial experts and leaders from the public and private health care sectors. (Health Services Management Centre - publications)

Transforming Community Services Quality Framework: guidance for community services

This guidance sets out how the seven elements of the Quality Framework apply in community services. It includes a set of proposed indicators of quality that will be developed and assured for publication. The Department of Health will be seeking views from interested stakeholders on these indicators. (Department of Health - publications)

Transforming community services: ambition, action, achievement

Six best practice guides have been launched to support NHS practitioners and clinical leaders to transform services locally and help empower local staff to lead on modernising community services. The guides cover clinical and service areas including acute care closer to home, people with long-term conditions and end of life care. (Department of Health - publications)

NHS foundation trusts: review of twelve months to 31 March 2009

Results published by Monitor indicate that foundation trusts are continuing, in most cases, to meet national standards and targets in key areas such as combating healthcare associated infections. The report reviews data on key service performance issues and includes the end of year financial position for the 115 NHS foundation trusts authorised at 31 March 2009. (Monitor - publications)

Prison health IT programme: national roll-out

This letter from Offender Health and the National Offender Management Service announces that the roll-out of the first national clinical IT system for prisons across England will now commence across the country in June 2009. (Department of Health - letters)

Perinatal mortality 2007

The latest report from the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health (CEMACH) shows an improvement in the stillbirth and neonatal death rates in the UK. Maternal age was noted to be a significant risk factor for stillbirths, perinatal and neonatal death and the figures also show an increasing trend of later motherhood. (CEMACH - publications)

Cancer waiting times standards: quarter 4 performance

This letter from Mike Richards provides an update on the changes planned for cancer waiting times as set out in the Cancer Reform Strategy. The letter also outlines the performance against the quarterly national statistics on NHS cancer waiting times which were released on 29 May 2009. (Department of Health - letters)

Common core competences and principles for health and social care workers working with adults at the end of life

The National End of Life Care Programme has worked with Skills for Health and Skills for Care to outline the core skills and knowledge that aims to help staff across health and social care to respond with confidence when caring for people at the end of their lives. The guidance outlines the principles that underpin quality end of life care and groups skills into four sections: communications; assessment and care planning; symptom management and maintaining comfort; and advance care planning. (NHS National End of Life Care Programme - publications)

The Marmot Review - strategic review of health inequalities

An interim report on the evidence and emerging themes of the independent strategic review of health inequalities post 2010, led by Professor Sir Michael Marmot, has been published for consultation. Comments must be submitted by 5 August 2009. (Global Health Equity Group, University College London - news)