Centre for Health and the Public Interest (CHPI) -
This report finds that, over the past four years, there has a been a significant increase in the number of NHS funded cataract operations in England which have been provided by private for-profit companies. This briefing note analyses the impact of this development on the finances of the NHS. It examines the percentage of the NHS budget on cataract provision which is being spent in the for-profit private sector and how this has changed over time. It also looks at changes in the percentage of the overall NHS ophthalmology budget which is being spent on cataract provision and the impact on the resources available for other types of eye care.
NHS Confederation -
Following the Hewitt review recommendation to consider alternative payment mechanisms within the health system, this discussion paper explores examples of international and domestic payment mechanisms. The paper is intended to support further discussion and debate and to inform future policy-making to support integration.
Department of Health and Social Care -
This report sets out the reasons for changing the amount that members contribute to the NHS Pension Scheme. It takes into account the desirability of not making any changes at this point in time. The report is a statutory report and has been laid before Parliament.
NHS Confederation -
This report outlines how underinvestment – compounded by the impact of an unprecedented pandemic, rising demand and an ageing population – has left NHS and social care services under extreme pressure. This manifesto draws on the views of NHS Confederation members – health and care leaders across England, Wales and Northern Ireland – and sets out the changes the next government will need to make if the health and care system is to be placed on a sustainable footing.
Healthcare Financial Management Association -
This briefing focuses on the commissioning of secondary and tertiary healthcare from NHS providers by integrated care boards and NHS England. The briefing is aimed at finance staff in all sectors who may not be directly involved in the contracting and commissioning of services, or who have recently moved into roles in this field. It may also be of interest to non-finance staff supporting the strategic design of services and pathways in their organisations and wider integrated care systems.
Pharmacists’ Defence Association -
Pharmacists have warned they are increasingly seeing patients in England declining to take vital medicines due to the cost of prescription charges. Responding to a joint survey by the Pharmacists’ Defence Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, more than a third of pharmacists (35%) said they have seen an increase in patients declining prescriptions in the last 12 months.
Healthcare Financial Management Association -
Finance staff have a key role in ensuring financial incentives are designed effectively and form part of a wider financial strategy to reduce health inequalities. Financial incentives should be considered as one tool of many, not to be used in isolation but as part of a wider change programme. They work best when they are simple, predictable, use a clear evidence base and are designed to avoid the pitfalls. This briefing summarises the financial incentives which are already built in at a national level, and looks at opportunities for individual systems to use financial incentives at a local level.
Demos -
This research finds that breast cancer will likely cost the UK economy between £2.6 billion and £2.8 billion in 2024. It also estimates that wellbeing costs associated with the disease will amount to £17.5 billion in 2024. This report, supported by Breast Cancer Now, sets out how a number of critical interventions can mitigate the human and financial impacts of breast cancer. The economic modelling shows that higher levels of screening, more cancer nurse specialists, and better help for people returning to work would deliver the highest impact.
Department of Health and Social Care -
The scheme is a voluntary agreement between the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. The voluntary scheme aims to: promote better patient outcomes and a healthier population; support UK economic growth; and contribute to a financially sustainable NHS.
Department of Health and Social Care -
During 2022, there was a rising number of patients who were still in hospital when they did not clinically meet the criteria to reside. To improve flow through hospitals and free up hospital beds over the winter, the government announced two additional funding streams: the £500 million Adult Social Care Discharge Fund, in September 2022, for 2022 to 2023 (‘£500 million discharge fund’); and the £200 million step down fund for integrated care boards in January 2023 (‘£200 million discharge fund’). This rapid evaluation of the discharge funding explores how much of the funds were spent; changes in discharge metrics over this period until June 2023; and an analysis of the impact of the funding.