Health Management and Policy Alert

Challenges and opportunities in improving access to medicines through efficient public procurement in the WHO European Region

World Health Organization (WHO) - 
This report reviews how different public procurement practices can influence prices and ensure supply security for pharmaceuticals. It discusses the use of increased collaboration as a means to improve procurement outcomes. In particular, it seeks to provide insights into the following question: how can public strategic procurement and increased collaboration, within and across countries, contribute to improving access to high-cost medicines in Europe?

• Report
• WHO publications

Integrated care for older people with frailty: innovative approaches in practice

Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) - 
This report, written in partnership with the British Geriatrics Society, showcases how GPs and geriatricians are collaborating to design and lead innovative schemes to improve the provision of integrated care for older people with frailty. It highlights 13 case studies from across the UK, ranging from schemes to help older people remain active and independent, to those providing better services in the community, to those supporting patients in hospital.

• Report
• Press release

Carers

House of Commons Library - 
This briefing paper provides information about the number of carers in the UK and the issues they face. It also explains the rights, benefits and support available to carers and government policy on caring.

• Briefing
• Commons Library publications

Preventing prison suicide

Howard League for Penal Reform - 
This report, written in conjunction with the Centre for Mental Health, reveals that 2016 has been the worst year on record for prison suicides with 102 suicides recorded since the beginning of the year. The report highlights the action that needs to be taken to improve the safety and mental health of prisoners in England and Wales. It calls for a reduction in the use of solitary confinement and an increase in investment in staffing.

• Report
• Press release

Improving confidence in conversational English

NHS Employers - 
This case study discusses how Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust partnered with Creative English to develop and deliver a learning programme for their international staff, designed to improve confidence in conversational English.

• Case study
• NHS Employers news

NHS staff from overseas: statistics

House of Commons Library - 
This briefing gives details on the nationality of NHS staff by region for doctors, nurses and other categories in England. 

• Briefing
• Commons Library publications

Building a culture of improvement at East London NHS Foundation Trust

Institute for Healthcare Improvement -
In the past few years, East London NHS Foundation Trust has reduced incidents of inpatient violence, medication errors, waiting times for treatment in the community, and improved staff satisfaction and engagement, among other improvements. This report looks at what made these achievements possible. Please note that registration is required before viewing this document.

• Report
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement - publications

NHS efficiency map

Healthcare Financial Management Association -
This map aims to promote best practice in identifying, delivering and monitoring cost improvement programmes in the NHS. It contains links to a range of tools and guidance to help NHS bodies improve their efficiency. The map is split into three sections: enablers for efficiency, provider efficiency and system efficiency. It highlights the successes some NHS providers have had in delivering specific efficiency schemes and provides sign-posts to existing tools and reference materials. It also includes updated definitions for different types of efficiency.

• Map
• Healthcare Financial Management Association - publications

The state of social care in Great Britain in 2016

Leonard Cheshire Disability -
This report looks at the state of social care in Britain today and how a crisis in social care is impacting on the lives of disabled people across the country. It contains various case studies and lists actions for UK governments to help improve social care in Great Britain.

• Report
• Leonard Cheshire Disability - news

Access to NHS dental services: what people told local Healthwatch

Healthwatch -
This report found that most people when surveyed say that they are able to book an NHS dental appointment when they need one and they are satisfied with their NHS dental care. It summarises the findings from 31 local Healthwatch reports and highlights three key areas that require particular attention.

• Report
• Healthwatch - news