Health Management and Policy Alert

The adult social care outcomes framework: handbook of definitions

This data definitions handbook sets out the technical detail of each measure in the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework, with worked examples. Its aim is to promote consistency in reporting and interpretation. This handbook supersedes the July 2011 edition.

• Handbook
• Department of Health - publications

Non-clinical substance misuse services in contracted adult prisons (England)

This letter provides more information on the position of NHS PCTs' responsibility for the funding of substance misuse services in relation to adult contracted prisons in England.

• Letter
• Department of Health - letters

NHS Operating Framework 2012/13: responses and comment

• Alzheimer's Society
• Cancer Campaigning Group
• Centre for Mental Health
• Mental Health Network
• NHS Confederation
• Nuffield Trust
• Royal College of Physicians

The care of women requesting induced abortion: evidence-based clinical guideline number 7

These guidelines are for all healthcare professionals and aim to ensure that all women considering induced abortion have access to a high quality service based on national standards. The recommendations cover commissioning and organising services, possible side effects and complications, pre-abortion management, abortion procedures and follow up care.

• Guidelines
• RCOG - press release

A report by the Health Service Ombudsman and the Local Government Ombudsman about the care and support provided to a person with Down's syndrome

This report contains the findings of an investigation by The Health Service Ombudsman and Local Government Ombudsman into complaints about the care and treatment provided by Northumberland, Tyne and  Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle City Council and the Coquet Trust.

• Report
• Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman - press release

Caesarean section

NICE has published an update to its existing guidelines on caesarean section. It is hoped that these new recommendations mean more women may avoid unnecessary surgery and that changes in practice will reduce post-operative infections. It also recognises that mental health issues, as well as physical conditions, are possible indications for caesarean section.

• Guidance
• NICE - press release

State of maternity services report 2011

This report looks at a number of indicators of the pressures on maternity care and the resources available to cope in each of the four United Kingdom countries. It finds that a significant increase in the number of births in each of the four countries, and a trend towards older mothers, is increasing the pressures on maternity care throughout the UK. In England, and in the last few years Wales, this has led to a substantial deficit in the workforce needed to provide a safe level of care to women and their babies.

• Report
• Royal College of Midwives - publications

NHS not making the break for carers: a report on the implementation of the Carers Strategy by primary care trusts

This research shows that spending on carers by PCTs has fallen by £2.4m this year. In November 2010 the Government allocated an extra £400m over four years to provide support for carers and this report seeks to establish how PCTs have invested the added funding this year. It also finds that PCTs have defied Government by not publishing plans and budgets as was requested – only 26% have published updated plans, and 13% have published budgets for 2011/12. It also finds that only 4% of PCTs have not budgeted any investment in services for carers in 2011/12.

• Report
• Crossroads Care - press release

An NHS for patients: making clinical commissioning work

This document contains the transcripts of an event held by Reform in October 2011.

• Transcript
• Reform - publications

Mental health Payment by Results readiness review

The aim of this review was to provide an assessment of commissioners’ and providers’ readiness to deliver the Department of Health policy commitment that adult mental health Payment by Results currencies should be used for commissioning and reimbursement purposes from April 2012. The review was carried out by seeking the views of a wide spread of people in mental health trusts, commissioners, local authorities and the independent sector, as well as national stakeholders.

• Review
• NHS Confederation - publications