Health Management and Policy Alert

GP Consortia Pathfinder Programme letter from Dame Barbara Hakin

Letter from Dame Barbara Hakin dated 26 October 2010 on the detail and next steps of the GP Consortia Pathfinder Programme. (Department of Health - publications)

 

Contracting for support to Local Involvement Networks in 2011-2012: supporting the possible transition to Local HealthWatch

Letter from Paul Streets, Director of Public and Patient Engagement and Experience, dated 27 October 2010 detailing Contracting for support to Local Involvement Networks in 2011-20. (Department of Health - publications)

 

Consultation on Cancer Drugs Fund

The Government has set out its plans to establish a Cancer Drugs Fund from April 2011. The Fund will provide a means of improving patient access to cancer drugs prior to the anticipated reform of arrangements for branded drug pricing on expiry of the current Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme at the end of 2013. The Department of Health is consulting on proposals for establishment of the Fund. The consultation will close on 19 January 2011. (Department of Health - publications)

 

LAC (DH) (2010) 6: The Personal Care at Home Act 2010 and charging for re-ablement

This circular advises councils of the legal position on charging for re-ablement, the development of re-ablement services with the £70m allocation via the NHS in 2010/11 in support of post hospital discharge, and confirms that the Personal Care at Home Act will not be implemented. It cancels LAC(2010)1  with effect from 1 October 2011, and LASSL (2010)1 with immediate effect. (Department of Health - publications)

 

2010/11 funding for re-ablement linked to hospital discharge

This letter to Strategic Health Authorities Chief Executives details the £70 million 2010/11 funding allocations for re-ablement to improve hospital discharge. (Department of Health - publications)

 

Pandemic H1N1 flu

Reports of pandemic H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine uptake among frontline healthcare workers and patient groups in primary care in England in 2009/10. (Department of Health - publications)

 

Working with radiation in the NHS – advice for managers and staff

This document is intended to offer advice to managers at all levels, and their staff, on how to work more safely with exposure to radiation in their everyday jobs. It will also be particularly useful to chief executives, who may be unaware of their range of responsibilities in relation to radiation services. (NHS Employers - publications)

 

NHS resources and reform: response to the White Paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS, and the 2010 Spending Review

The White Paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS will be implemented in a period of significant financial challenge for the NHS. This briefing paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the White Paper and Spending Review, drawing on national and international evidence.  (Nuffield Trust - publications)

 

Implementing the End of Life Care Strategy: lessons for good practice

This paper is aimed at those responsible for commissioning and organising end-of-life care services at a local level. The paper uses evidence from The King’s Fund’s evaluation of the Marie Curie Delivering Choice Programme to highlight examples of good practice and learning for the organisation and delivery of end-of-life care across England. It provides guidance on the delivery options and ongoing challenges in the organisation of end-of-life care that can be implemented or adapted to suit local contexts of care. Many of the lessons that are presented in this paper will also provide a valuable resource for those involved in the quality, innovation, productivity and prevention (QIPP) agenda. (The King's Fund - publications)

 

Financial management of personal budgets: challenges and opportunities for councils

This report examines personal budgets in adult social care and considers the financial management and governance implications for councils. It reviews the approaches to transition from providing services to providing personal budgets, the choices for allocating money, and how councils can plan for the financial implications. It also considers changes in social care commissioning and the governance arrangements needed for personal budgets. (Audit Commission - publications)