Health Management and Policy Alert

‘Hospital mergers increase death and harm’? Not so fast…

Health Foundation - 

In February 2019 the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published a working paper on the impact of hospital competition on rates of patient harm in the English NHS. The Health Foundation examined the central conclusion of the CMA paper – that the research provides ‘further empirical evidence that competition ultimately benefits patients’ – finding that this cannot be substantiated from the analysis.  This working paper outlines how more rigorous well-designed research is needed to measure the impact of competition on the quality of care.

• Working paper
• More detail

Improving mental health services in systems of integrated and accountable care: emerging lessons and priorities

Royal College of Psychiatrists - 

This report sets out recommendations for local and national health and care leaders to support the prioritisation of mental health as local areas develop into integrated care systems (ICSs).

• Report
• Press release

 

Transforming imaging services in England: a national strategy for imaging networks

NHS England and NHS Improvement - 

This strategy sets out a proposal for implementing collaborative imaging networks on a national basis across England. This approach will deliver better quality care and better value services for patients and provide hardworking NHS staff opportunities to develop their career and increase their productivity. 

• Strategy
• More detail

Establishing the evidence base for ‘multiple site single service’ (MSSS) models of care: systematic review

Public Health England - 

Models of care which deliver a single clinical service over multiple hospital sites, theoretically offer the potential to maintain geographical access to services whilst delivering care, finance and workforce outcomes. This systematic review is the first to describe the evidence base for multiple site, single service (MSSS) models of care and highlight the current limitations of available research. The report also sets out a universal framework to categorise different MSSS models which may be employed in the reorganisation of secondary care services, and a suggested set of outcome measures to guide planning, implementation and evaluation of future clinical service reconfigurations to better understand the population impact of service change.

• Review
• More detail

Healthcare entitlements for non-UK detainees being released into the community

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) -
This guidance is for NHS providers, including immigration removal centre (IRC) healthcare staff. It explains the entitlements and access to NHS care for people who are leaving an IRC and moving into the community.

• Guidance

Primary care networks: a quiet revolution

The Community Network - 

The Community Network, a partnership between NHS Providers and NHS Confederation, have published this briefing to act as a guide to support provider organisations to engage effectively with primary care networks (PCN). The briefing draws on official guidance and discussions with both PCN leaders and providers of community services. It explores the role of PCNs, what the emerging picture is, what this means for providers of community services and, crucially, how we can work together effectively.

• Briefing
• More detail

 

Change or collapse: lessons from the drive to reform health and social care in Northern Ireland

Nuffield Trust -
The health and social care system in Northern Ireland has seen seven fundamental reviews setting out major changes of direction in the last 20 years. Each has delivered a similar verdict: the country needs to reduce its reliance on hospitals, centralise some services for a critical mass at a smaller number of sites, and focus more on prevention and keeping people healthy. This report examines the factors that may be helping or hindering efforts to improve the health and social care system in Northern Ireland today. It aims to be of interest to health leaders across different countries, especially in the rest of the UK.

• Report
• Nuffield Trust - publications

NHS long-term plan: legislative proposals

Health and Social Care Committee - 

This report welcomes, in principle, NHS England and NHS Improvement's proposals to promote collaboration, especially the proposal to repeal section 75 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and revoke the regulations made under it. The Health and Social Care Committee believes that collaboration, rather than competition, is a better way for the NHS and the wider health and care system to respond to today's challenges.

• Report
• Press release

Outstanding models of district nursing

Queen's Nursing Institute (QNI) - 
This report, written in conjunction with the Royal College of Nursing, calls for urgent investment in district nursing, as new figures show the number of district nurses working in the NHS has dropped by almost 43 per cent in England in the last ten years. It explores all the elements which need to be in place to support an outstanding district nursing service.

• Report
• Press release

Above and beyond: how voluntary sector providers of disability support add value to communities

Voluntary Organisations Disability Group -
This report describes the influence and potential of voluntary sector providers of social care through real life stories from four disability support providers from across England. The report outlines the voluntary care sector’s key impacts, including: engaging local partners and harnessing the potential of community resources; reducing social isolation and promoting inclusion; and changing perceptions of disability.

• Report
• Voluntary Organisations Disability Group - press release