Health Management and Policy Alert

Patients and GPs: partners in care?

This report discusses findings from a survey of patients into their experiences of general practice and practitioners. It makes recommendations on the four key areas covered: communication; referrals; deregistration; and integration.

• Report and press release

Community mental health survey 2012

This survey looked at the experiences of people receiving community mental health services. The majority of participants said that they were treated with respect and dignity and were listened to carefully, that they had their views taken into account and had enough time to discuss their condition and treatment, and that they had trust and confidence in the health or social care worker they had seen most recently. It was also found that participants felt the need to be more involved in some aspects of their care.

• Summary of results
• National comparison tables
• A-Z list of community mental health services survey results by NHS trust
• CQC - publications

National paediatric diabetes audit report 2010-11

This audit was commissioned by HQIP as part of the National Clinical Audit and Patient Outcomes Programme (NCAPOP). It measures the prevalence of diabetes in children and young people across England and Wales and assesses whether the eight key care processes recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) are being met. It found that, although standards have improved from 2009/10, the UK still falls short of standards in comparable countries. It also found significant variations in standards across the country.

• Audit report
• HQIP - news

Takeover: tackling failing NHS hospitals

This report explores options for saving failing NHS hospitals, and concludes that the government could consider the takeover of up to 30 NHS hospitals by private companies instead of encouraging mergers between failing hospitals. It refers to the example of Circle, the first private company to take over the management of a failing hospital.

• Report
• Reform - publications

Reviewing end of life care costing information to inform the QIPP end of life care workstream

This report gathers together the available information on costing end of life care to inform a more robust steer for the potential costs and savings that the EoLC national programme can utilise as a framework for the QIPP activities for 2012/13 and beyond. 57 documents were analysed to seek the answers to questions relating to end of life care costs in acute hospital settings and in community settings and to consider the potential cost savings of shifting the place of care.

• Report
• NEoLCP - publications

End of life care in extra care housing: learning resource pack for housing,care and support staff

This resource pack provides practical information and advice for managers and support staff working in extra care housing schemes. It covers a range of issues relating to the care of residents with a life-limiting or progressive condition, including: identifying opportunities to start talking about end of life care; the core end of life path care pathway; diversity issues such as care of the body after death; and an individual’s capacity to make decisions as their condition deteriorates. As well as case studies and ‘top tips’, the pack includes template local directories of key contacts and support plans. 

• Resource pack
• NEoLCP - news

Forgotten conditions: misdiagnosed and unsupported, how patients are being let down

The findings of this report are the result of a roundtable which brought together health policy-makers, GPs, politicians and senior academics. One in seventeen people will be affected by a rare condition in their lifetime, a number that is projected to mushroom in the coming years. This report demonstrates how wrong or late diagnosis wastes vital NHS funds, and costs considerably more than early diagnosis, requiring expensive and invasive medical treatment. 

• Report
• 2020health - press release

The National Health Service Trust Development Authority (NTDA) (amendment) directions 2012

These directions from the Secretary of State confer new functions and powers on the NTDA from the 1st October 2012. They enable the NTDA to take over certain functions currently managed by the Department of Health, strategic health authorities and the Appointments Commission.

• Amended directions
• Department of Health - news

Death certification reforms in England and Wales: update for coroners

This update has been prepared for coroners to respond to frequently asked questions about the proposed reforms to death certification. It may also be of interest to related services and groups.

• Update
• Department of Health - news

Implementing a ban on age discrimination in the NHS: making effective, appropriate decisions

From 1 October 2012, it will be unlawful for service providers and commissioners to discriminate, victimise, or harass a person because of age. This briefing gives an overview of the ban on age discrimination. It is specifically aimed at those who plan, commission or provide NHS services, whether in the NHS, voluntary or private sectors.

• Briefing
• Department of Health - publications