Health Management and Policy Alert

Government response to the independent inquiry report into the issues raised by former surgeon Ian Paterson: 12-month implementation progress update

Department of Health and Social Care -
The report of the independent inquiry into the issues raised by Paterson was published on 4 February 2020. This report details the government’s progress in implementing its response to the report of the independent inquiry into the issues raised by former surgeon Ian Paterson. It also includes details on how these actions have impacted the health system and where there remains ongoing activity. It is organised under four themes: patient-centred information; making challenge heard; ensuring accountability; and putting things right.

• Policy paper
• Department of Health and Social Care - publications

Getting it right: the case for urgent investment in safe, modern technology and data sharing in the UK’s health services

British Medical Association - 

This report sets out they key areas where more needs to be done to ensure the recovery and resilience of UK health services and the safe delivery of care: infrastructure – hardware, software and connectivity; interoperability – standards and security; involvement – digital leadership, user involvement and skills development; inclusion - digital access and literacy for patients; and investment - prioritise existing funding, protect against budget cuts, increase funding.

• Report
• More detail

Brick by brick: the case for urgent investment in safe, modern, and sustainable healthcare estates

British Medical Association - 

This report examines the condition of the NHS estate across the UK and its impact on both the wellbeing of doctors and patient care, with a focus on: the maintenance and modernisation of healthcare estates; the need to design healthcare environments with capacity, safety and wellbeing in mind; the impact healthcare estates have on climate and the environment; and the need for steeper increases in capital funding.

• Report
• More detail

 

NHS funding, resources and treatment volumes

Institute for Fiscal Studies -
This report looks into the resources available to the NHS and how they are being used, looking beyond just the waiting list. It examines how the funding, staffing and hospital beds available to the NHS have changed since 2019 and how the number of patients treated by the NHS in eight different areas compares with 2019 levels. It finds that for most areas of care, the NHS is still struggling to treat more people than it was pre-pandemic, despite having – on the face of it – additional staff and funding. The report considers a range of different factors that could explain this seeming fall in performance and output.

• Report
• Institute for Fiscal Studies - publications

Managing industrial action: a guide for managers

NHS Employers - 

A guide to assist NHS employers in England in managing the legal, practical and operational risks presented by the threat of industrial dispute.

• Guide 

Hewitt review: call for evidence

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) - 

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has appointed the Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt to consider the oversight and governance of integrated care systems (ICSs). The DHSC has now launched a call for evidence to gather views from across the health and social care system, as well as from patients, the public, and the wider voluntary sector. The consultation closes at 11:45pm on 9 January 2023.

• Consultation
• More detail

Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review: update report on government implementation

Department of Health and Social Care - 

This implementation report provides an update on the government’s progress to implement the 2021 government response to the 2020 Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review and improve patient safety. It sets out the steps the government is taking to implement the accepted strategic recommendations and actions for improvement and provides more detail on the government’s work on sodium valproate and pelvic mesh.

• Report
• More detail

GIRFT diagnostics delivery guide: a guide for systems in delivering effective diagnostic services to support elective recovery

Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) - 

Aimed at NHS leaders and managers at regional, system and trust level, and clinicians, healthcare professionals and managers working in diagnostic services and clinical specialties, this delivery guide offers practical advice on steps for delivering a more effective service, as well as ways for primary care and acute services to free up diagnostic capacity by reducing unnecessary referrals.

• Guide
• More detail

Strategies to reduce waiting times for elective care

The King's Fund - 

The King's Fund undertook research to understand the strategies that have been used to reduce waiting times in the past 20 years.

• Report
• Associated blog

Disordered activity? A review of the quality of epilepsy care provided to adult patients presenting to hospital with a seizure

National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) - 

Data from 610 clinical questionnaires, 264 sets of case notes and 158 organisational questionnaires were used to assess the quality of care provided to adult patients with a pre-existing epilepsy disorder or who were subsequently diagnosed with epilepsy and presented to hospital following a seizure, between 1st January and 31st December 2020.

• Report
• More detail