Health Management and Policy Alert

How much should be paid for prescribed specialist services?

Centre for Health Economics (CHE) - 
Hospitals in England are paid according to the number and type of patients they treat, described using Healthcare Resource Groups (HRGs). But it is possible that the costs of providing specialised care are not properly accounted for, in which case hospitals that provide specialised care may be under-funded. This research assesses whether this is the case and, if so, what might be done about it.

• Report
• Summary
• Press release

How sharp are we on safety? An assessment of safer sharps adoption in UK hospitals

MindMetre - 
This report finds that not all NHS trusts are not complying with ‘safer sharps’ rules and, as a result, are continuing to put NHS employees at risk of needle stick injuries and possible blood-borne infections such as hepatitis and HIV.

• Report
• MindMetre

Models of care for high-need, high-cost patients: an evidence synthesis

Commonwealth Fund - 
This briefing analyses reviews of evidence about care models designed to improve outcomes and reduce costs for patients with complex needs. It finds that successful models have several common attributes: targeting patients likely to benefit from the intervention; comprehensively assessing patients’ risks and needs; relying on evidence-based care planning and patient monitoring; promoting patient and family engagement in self-care; coordinating care and communication among patients and providers; facilitating transitions from the hospital and referrals to community resources; and providing appropriate care in accordance with patients’ preferences.

• Briefing
• Associated documentation

Prime Minister's challenge fund: improving access to general practice: first evaluation report

NHS England - 
This independent evaluation examines the pilot scheme to improve access to GP services and increase innovation in primary care. This report looks at how the first 20 pilots have delivered on their key objectives to provide more GP appointments, expand the types of patient appointments and improve patient and staff satisfaction in GP access.

• Report
• Press release

Alcohol's impact on emergency services

Institute of Alcohol Studies -
This report reveals the full extent of the toll alcohol takes on emergency services in England. It presents a survey of police officers, ambulance and paramedic staff, accident and emergency department consultants and fire officers. It outlines both the financial burden on the emergency services and the human cost to frontline staff. The report also recommends a set of evidence-based policy measures to address this issue.

• Report
• Institute of Alcohol Studies - news

State of maternity services report 2015

Royal College of Midwives -
This report finds that record numbers of births to older mothers are putting maternity units under pressure. The shortage is made worse, the report says, by the ageing of the midwifery workforce.

• Report
• Royal College of Midwives - news

The view from here

Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS) -
This project was designed to understand the experiences, attitudes and outlook of the social services workforce in Scotland. The resource includes workforce survey data and qualitative analysis, including reports, diary stories and illustrations.

• The view from here
• IRISS - resources

Follow-up to PHSO report: dying without dignity

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee -
This report aimed to find out why the care failings detailed in Dying without dignity were allowed to happen and has recommended three areas where immediate improvements are needed: culture, behaviour and training; provision of integrated 24/7 palliative and end of life care; and leadership and commissioning.

• Report
• Dying without dignity
• Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee - news

A consultation on the Government's mandate to NHS England to 2020

Department of Health -
The mandate to NHS England sets the government’s objectives for NHS England, as well as its budget. In doing so, the mandate sets direction for the NHS, and helps ensure the NHS is accountable to Parliament and the public. A new mandate to NHS England is due to be published following the completion of the Spending Review, to take effect from April 2016. This consultation document sets out how the government proposes to set the mandate to NHS England for this Parliament. The final mandate will be subject to the outcome of the government’s Spending Review.

• Consultation
• Department of Health - consultations

District nursing and general practice nursing service: education and career framework

Health Education England -
This framework sets out the specialist knowledge and skills needed to deliver and advance in district nursing and general practice nursing. The document contains frameworks for both district nursing and general practitioner nursing services within one framework and outlines the career pathways for both professions, while setting out clearly the key responsibilities and roles at each level of advancement.

• Framework
• Health Education England - news