Health Management and Policy Alert

Future physician: changing doctors in changing times

This report of a working party argues that doctors are in an ideal position to drive changes in healthcare for the benefit of patients. The report urges doctors to take up leadership positions in medicine and public life to accelerate improvement in health outcomes. The authors argue that doctors, in partnership with patients and others, can be the catalyst for change and improvement. (Royal College of Physicians - publications)

How safe are clinical systems?

This study covered seven NHS organisations and identifies the variation in the reliability of five key healthcare systems and processes: availability of information when making clinical decisions; prescribing; handover; availability of equipment in operating theatres; and availability of equipment for inserting intravenous lines. (The Health Foundation - publications)

Department of Health on service reconfiguration

This letter from the Chief Executive of the NHS, Sir David Nicholson, sets out the need for service reconfiguration following the announcement of the Secretary of State’s policy commitments. It highlights four key areas in which reconfiguration processes need to improve as plans for significant service change are developed and consulted on. (Department of Health - letters)

Inpatient Survey 2009

This briefing note summarises the key findings from a survey of more than 69,000 adult patients over 162 acute and specialist NHS trusts in England. The results from this survey are used by NHS trusts to understand the experiences of their patients and to help improve their performance. The Care Quality Commission will also use the results from the survey in a range of ways, including use of the results from each trust in its assessment of NHS performance as well as in regulatory activities such as registration, monitoring ongoing compliance, and reviews. (Care Quality Commission - using care services)

Prescription charges review: implementing exemption from prescription charges for people with long term conditions

This report is the result of an independent review led by the President of the Royal College of Physicians on how a prescription charge exemption for those with long term conditions should be implemented and phased in. The review takes in the views of patient representative groups, charities and other interested parties. (Department of Health - publications)

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme: instructions and guidance for the NHS

Regulations governing the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme were amended on 7^th April 2010. This guidance document has been updated to reflect these amendments and also includes changes to the reimbursement of the London congestion charge. (Department of Health - publications)

Mixing of medicines prior to administration in clinical practice: medical and non-medical prescribing

Following recommendations from the Commission on Human Medicines, regulations were amended in December 2009 to enable doctors and other prescribers to mix medicines themselves and to direct others to mix medicines. This guidance outlines the agreed parameters, principles and key points on mixing of medicines. (Department of Health - publications)

Expert Advisory Group on AIDS annual report 2009

This report from the Expert Advisory Group on AIDS (EAGA) outlines their activity for 2009. The EAGA is an advisory non-departmental public body which is non-statutory and provides advice on matters relating to HIV/AIDS which may be referred to by the Chief Medical Officers of the Department of Health. (Department of Health - publications)

Help is at hand: a resource for people bereaved by suicide and other sudden, traumatic death

This guide is targeted at those who are affected by suicide or other sudden, traumatic death. It aims firstly to help people who are unexpectedly bereaved in this way. It also provides information for professionals who come into contact with bereaved people, to assist them in providing help and suggest how they themselves may find support if they need it. (Department of Health - publications)

Shift-work, rest and sleep: minimising the risks

This discussion paper examines the effect of shift-working on the health and performance of junior doctors and the effect that this has on patient safety. The paper calls for detrimental effects of fatigue on the doctor and their patients to be recognised and managed to reduce associated risks and for good working practice to encompass risk management strategies. (British Medical Association - press releases)