Health Management and Policy Alert

Care in crisis: causes and solutions

This report presents the results of an investigation into the care system in England. It finds that 800,000 people who currently need care receive no formal support from either the state or private sector agencies. The report makes recommendations for the future of the social care system and the funding and provision of it.

• Report
• Age UK - news 

 

The impact of the 2007-08 changes to public service pensions

In 2007-08, new pension schemes were introduced for civil servants, NHS staff and teachers. The changes were in response to Treasury requirements for savings in taxpayer costs to make public service pensions affordable. This report examines and discusses the impact of these changes on the GDP, size of the public workforce, taxation and means-tested benefits.

• Report
• House of Commons Public Accounts Committee - publications 

 

Meeting the needs of health people with learning disabilities: RCN guidance for nursing staff

This is the updated second edition of this guidance which aims to support nurses and nursing students in delivering high quality care to those with learning disabilities. The guidance provides a definition of learning disabilities; outlines some specific health needs; and explains relevant legislation.

• Guidance
• Royal College of Nursing - news

 

Common mental health disorders

This new NICE guideline on the identification of and pathways to care for common mental health disorders focuses on primary care. It draws on existing NICE guidelines and makes new recommendations on how patients are assessed, and when and how they are referred to other services for treatment. The guideline also provides advice to managers and commissioners on how to develop referral and care pathways in their local area.

• Guidance
• Further information and associated documents
• Press release 

 

National audit of dementia services - establishment of memory services

Professor Alistair Burns, National Clinical Director for Dementia, has written to colleagues asking for assistance with a national audit of dementia services, which includes looking at the provision of memory services. It is being undertaken by the NHS Information Centre.

• Dear Colleague letter
• Department of Health - letters 

 

Making the most of public services: a systems approach to public innnovation

This paper looks at two case studies – international education and the NHS – highlighting the importance of innovation within public services, and how this could impact on the future performance of both public and private sectors.

• Report
• The Work Foundation - publications 

 

Differences in costs and access to pharmaceutical products in the EU

This report reviews the differences in the prices of pharmaceuticals among EU member states. It reviews the approaches that member states have used to regulate the pharmaceutical market on  both the supply and demand sides, and assesses evidence regarding the impact of these different approaches on pharmaceutical prices, cost containment and industry innovation. The report considers policy options to strengthen coordination among member states and exchange best practice.

• Report
• OnMedica - news 

 

Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) quality and productivity indicators: supplementary guidance and frequently asked questions for PCTs and practices in England

This guidance aims to assist PCTs and practices in understanding and working through the new quality and productivity indicators, building on the information in the 2011/12 QOF guidance.

• Supplementary guidance
• Further information and resources 

 

Stroke team publications

The South London Cardiac and Stroke Network have recently published a number of documents including a localised analysis of the Stroke Sentinel Clinical Audit; commissioning guidance for the six-month review after stroke; and service specification documents.

• Stroke team publications and resources 

 

Responses to the Government's listening exercise on the Health and Social Care Bill 2011

In April 2011, the Government launched a listening exercise on NHS modernisation, inviting comment from organisations and individuals. The engagement will focus on: the role of choice and competition for improving quality; how to ensure public accountability and patient involvement in the new system; how new arrangements for education and training can support the modernisation process; and how advice from across a range of healthcare professions can improve patient care. Below are some of the organisational responses submitted so far.

• Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
• British Medical Association
• Centre for Public Scrutiny
• The King's Fund
• Local Government Association
• NHS Confederation
• NHS Employers
• The Nuffield Trust
• Reform
• Royal College of Nursing
• Royal College of Physicians
• The Royal College of Surgeons of England