Health Management and Policy Alert

Making shared decision-making a reality: no decision about me without me

This paper clarifies what is meant by the term 'shared decision-making' and what skills and resources are required to implement it and it also outlines what action is needed to make this vision a reality. It outlines the importance of communication skills and sets out how clinicians might approach consultations to arrive at shared decisions. It also suggests that tools that help patients in making decisions are just as important as guidelines for clinicians.

• Report
• The King's Fund - publications 

 

Review of the operation of 'Any Willing Provider' for the provision of routine elective care

This report has found that some patients are losing out as a result of restrictions on their choice of provider of NHS care. In assessing the evidence gathered during the review, the CCP suggests that unless the significant variation in the effective delivery of choice is addressed there is a serious risk that the expected benefits of patient choice - both to patients and taxpayers – will not be realised to their full potential.

• Report
• Press release 
• CCP - cases

 

Choice of NHS funded hospital services in England

This paper examines which factors matter to patients and their GPs when they choose a hospital for treatment.

• Discussion paper
• CCP - working papers 

 

NHS Pension Scheme - consultation on proposed increases to employee contribution rates effective from April 2012

This document presents for consultation proposals to increase the level of contributions paid by members of the NHS Pension Scheme in 2012-13. The Department of Health is now inviting views on ways of delivering savings through employee contributions for 2012-13. This consultation closes on 21 October 2011.

• Consultation document
• Department of Health - consultations 

 

NHS Commissioning Board’s people transition policy

This document sets out the policies and processes that will guide the first round of appointments to the NHS Commissioning Board.

• Guidance
• Department of Health - publications

 

Arm's Length Bodies - HR framework

This guidance details the processes for delivering transition in the Department of Health’s Arm's Length Bodies (ALBs). It includes information about the support that will be available for staff and managers as ALB's work towards their transition either as organisations exiting the system or continuing.

• Guidance
• Department of Health - publications

 

Shared operating model for PCT clusters

This publication supports the development of PCT clusters to help ensure they deliver their twin objectives of overseeing and accounting for delivery during transition and supporting the development of the new system.

• Guidance
• Department of Health - publications 

 

Commissioning prison based substance misuse services 2011/12

This letter outlines the next steps for the implementation of the transfer of responsibility of prison substance misuse services from the Ministry of Justice to the Department of Health including commissioning arrangements, HR processes and a proposed timetable.

• Letter
• Department of Health - letters

 

Consultation letter on establishment of special health authorities

This letter seeks views on the proposed establishment of two special health authorities: the NHS Commissioning Board and the Health Research Authority.

• Letter
• Department of Health - letters 

 

Consultation on allocation options for funding for Local Healthwatch: PCT Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

Subject to the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill, the Department of Health will allocate funding for local HealthWatch and, potentially, PCT Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards from October 2012. This new funding will be added to the current Learning Disabilities and Health Reform grant. This consultation is asking for views on options for distributing the new funding for local HealthWatch and PCT Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. This consultation closes on 18 October 2011.

• Consultation document
• Consultation response form
• Equality analysis
• Department of Health - consultations