All articles by Andy McKeon
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Comment
NHS productivity: more of the same or more for less?
More thought and action is required to improve
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Comment'Reconfiguration may do more harm than good'
History warns us that reconfiguration is not the panacea it’s cracked up to be, says Andy McKeon.
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CommentAndy McKeon: does commissioning change anything?
Commissioning has to overcome some stiff challenges if it is to enjoy many more birthdays, says Andy McKeon.
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Comment'Proper funding of the NHS is the critical long term issue'
Let’s be honest, speculation is fun. Nobody can prove you right or wrong at the time, people forget what you said, and you can hedge your bets on what the future will hold. It is also more interesting to look at the gloomy version – what fun is there to ...
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HSJ KnowledgeRealising actual cost savings through organisational strategies
In the second of two articles on savings, Andy McKeon and Nigel Edwards look at powering organisational strategies to achieve real cost-savings and avoid disappointing results.
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HSJ KnowledgeRethinking clinical services: avoiding the hidden costs of saving and efficiency strategies
Savings strategies can have hidden costs, without due attention given to the potential risks and conditions needed to ensure they can work. Andy McKeon and Nigel Edwards begin a two part series on rethinking clinical services.
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Comment
The NHS Commissioning Board: biggest of the big spenders
The NHS Commissioning Board’s greatest influence on quality will be through how it splashes its cash
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NewsKnown unknowns form the white paper’s core
Last week’s white paper poses many more questions than it answers about how GPs and providers will manage their new freedom. The solution, says Andy McKeon, is to find the right balance between independence and accountability
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HSJ KnowledgeMental health innovation: how to drive quality from pilot to practice
Mental health services are providing the NHS with clear examples of quality and productivity projects that have significant outcomes, says Andy McKeon
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NewsCongratulations - you're the new health secretary
You are responsible for a £110bn budget and the health of the nation, but with an average of only two years in the job there is no time to lose. Andy McKeon describes what you should expect in your first days as secretary of state for health
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CommentAndy McKeon: why money could not unravel the NHS red tape
Whoever wins the forthcoming election will have some unfinished business on health policy to attend to, even if it is possible to declare victory over waiting lists.
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CommentAndy McKeon: NHS cash alone won’t end health inequalities
One strategy every six months under Labour has failed to produce results for children under five
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CommentAndy McKeon on NHS efficiency and pre-election sparring
The pre-election sparring has begun and the NHS will not escape some cuts. How tough things get will be a true test of how well money has been spent recently
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CommentAndy McKeon: saving £15bn-£20bn will be no summer holiday
This summer senior NHS managers have been set a problem they will still be studying for months ahead - how to save £15bn-£20bn over three years from 2011.
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CommentAndy McKeon: 'Prepare to step back to the 80s'
The Budget will be the prelude to another prolonged cycle of recession and recovery for the NHS, but one positive is that lean years mean productivity takes an upturn
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Comment
Andy McKeon on the economics of better care
Understanding how money works and spending wisely is essential for people working in the NHS. The evidence suggests that when money is spent well, the quality of services provided to patients is correspondingly high.
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Comment
Andy McKeon on the good news about NHS finances
Finance managers in the NHS, do not adjust your sets. Yes, the picture really is much brighter than it used to be.
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HSJ Knowledge
Partnership working: taking targets a la carte
The 198 national indicators will tear up the 'set menu' of national targets, so local partnerships can tailor priorities to local needs. But regulation of the system will need a rethink
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News
Heed the lessons and go up a class
Audit Commission managing director of health ANDY McKEON on how to become a foundation trust