Health Management and Policy Alert

Improving the health and wellbeing of people with learning disabilities

Recent inquiries have demonstrated the health inequalities faced by people with learning disabilities and the reasonable adjustments needed to overcome them. This is a guide to support commissioners to meet the needs of this group, and ensure they are fulfilling their duty to promote equality. (Department of Health - publications)

Medical technology: can we afford to miss out?

In this report, the Medical Technology Group warn that any cuts to NHS technology budgets would cost more in the long-run and risk damaging the quality of life of thousands of patients with diabetes, heart disease and other long-term conditions. (Medical Technology Group - publications)

Swine flu and rough sleepers: for organisations working with rough sleepers in England

This information has been prepared for those who are working with or providing services for rough sleepers during the swine flu pandemic.  It provides advice on how to support rough sleepers and signposts to guidance and other useful sources. (Department of Health - publications)

Interventional radiology: improving quality and outcomes for patients

A sub-group of the National Imaging Board has produced this report to inform and stimulate discussion about how Interventional Radiology Services can support the quality and productivity agenda. The document has been produced by interventional radiologists, nurses, radiographers, a patient representative and members of the Department of Health and National Imaging Board. (Department of Health - publications)

Clinical Leadership Development Programme

This letter to SHAs discusses the development of the Clinical Leadership Fellowship programme. (Department of Health - letters)

NHS workforce and planning: limitations and possibilities

This report recommends that the emphasis of workforce planning should not be solely on ‘new’ recruits but on how the system can develop new skills for those who are already employed in the service. It concludes that the focus should be on developing a flexible approach to workforce planning that doesn’t seek long-term precision but can enable the current workforce to evolve and adapt to the health care environment. (The King’s Fund - publications)

Applying the NHS performance framework to mental health trusts

This document informs mental health trusts, PCTs and SHAs of the criteria against which mental health performance will be assessed. It should be read alongside Implementing the NHS Performance Framework. (Department of Health - publications)

Personal care at home: a consultation on proposals for regulations and guidance

This consultation document seeks views on the proposals in the Personal Care At Home Bill to provide free personal care for people living in their homes with the highest care needs. It sets out how the scheme is likely to work and what will be contained in regulations and in guidance. An impact assessment has also been published. The consultation closes on 23 February 2010. (Department of Health - publications)

SITREP reporting and operational problems

This letter to SHA chief executives outlines the importance of appropriate and timely SITREP reporting. (Department of Health - letters)

Beyond practice-based commissioning: the local clinical partnership

This joint paper by the Nuffield Trust and the NHS Alliance examines how practice-based commissioning can be developed. While there may be many ways this could happen, this paper considers one broad model – that of multi-specialty groups of clinicians – for example GPs as well as hospital-based specialists – taking responsibility for the provision and commissioning of local healthcare. (Nuffield Trust - publications)