Health Management and Policy Alert

The role and functions of departmental Chief Scientific Advisers

This report looks at the role and functions of departmental Chief Scientific Advisers. It sets out a range of recommendations to ensure that Government policy decisions are supported by the best science and engineering advice available.

• Report
• House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology - news

Consultation on the United Kingdom Plan for rare diseases

Earlier diagnosis of a rare condition and better co-ordinated care will help improve the quality of life for people with rare diseases and their families, according to this plan on rare diseases. Comments must be submitted by 25th May 2012.

• Consultation documents
• Online response form
• Department of Health - news

Commission on improving dignity in care: draft report and recommendations

The Commission on improving dignity in care is a joint initiative from the NHS Confederation, Age UK and the Local Government Association, to help improve dignity in care for older people in hospitals and care homes. The Commission have published its draft report and recommendations for public consultation. It sets out ten key recommendations for hospitals and ten key recommendations for care homes to help them tackle the underlying causes of undignified care, as well detailed recommendations on the changes the Commission believes need to take place across the wider health and social care system. The consultation will run until 27th March 2012.

• Draft report and recommendations
• NHS Confederation - news

Outcomes after elective repair of infra-renal abdominal aortic aneurysm

This report demonstrates a dramatic reduction in mortality for abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery over a relatively short period. It shows how collecting, analysing and reflecting on clinical outcomes can result in significant improvements.

• Report
• The Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland - news

Personal experiences, public value: changing relationships in the NHS

This paper is the first in a series looking at interactions between the NHS, individuals and communities. A further four papers in the run up to the 2012 NHS Confederation annual conference and exhibition will explore: putting people first through shared decision-making; information and the power paradigm; micro-enterprises and building community assets; and building social value within the system and society.

• Paper
• NHS Confederation - publications

A short guide to health and wellbeing boards

This briefing provides an outline on what health and wellbeing boards are; what they will do; when they will be established; the make-up of the boards; and support which is available to the boards.

• Briefing

The Bribery Act 2010

This briefing discusses the implications of the 2010 Bribery Act for the NHS.

• Briefing
• HFMA - publications

Updated review of research on risk and adult social care in England

This paper updates an earlier review of research into the incidence and management of risk in adult social care in England, and addresses gaps identified in the earlier review. It aims to identify only empirical research published since 2007 and concentrates on research conducted and published within the UK.

• Report
• Joseph Rowntree Foundation - publications

Health and Wellbeing Boards directory

Our directory provides details and contact information for health and wellbeing boards in England. More than 130 local authorities have signed up to create shadow health and wellbeing boards with their health partners by April 2012, and we will continue to update the directory as the new boards are established. All of the details in the directory are either publicly available or have been submitted for publication by the health and wellbeing boards.

• Health and Wellbeing Boards directory
• The King's Fund - Health and Wellbeing Boards project page

The Health and Social Care Bill - report stage House of Lords

This briefing focuses on the implications of the Health and Social Care Bill for service reconfigurations and for the failure regime for providers that are financially unsustainable. It draws on the debates on these issues during the Bill’s Committee stage in the House of Lords and a number of recent reports and briefings we have published on these subjects.

• Briefing
• The King's Fund - briefings