Health Service Journal
31 May 2012
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Accelerating innovation across the NHS: an HSJ supplement
This week’s special supplement, in association with the Department of Health, focuses on Sir David Nicholson’s report Innovation, Health and Wealth, and includes interviews with Jim Easton and Sir Ian Carruthers, plus articles from key DH figures and NHS directors. -
Ali Parsa: on Britain's sporting chance
The success of Unipart is remarkable because it is one of the exceptions to the rule in its sector. -
Assaults on paramedics increase
WORKFORCE: The number of physical assaults on West Midlands Ambulance Service staff has increased in the past 12 months. -
Author of seminal NHS funding review Sir Derek Wanless dies
Sir Derek Wanless, the former banker whose seminal 2002 report laid the theoretical foundations for the following decade’s huge increases in NHS funding, has died. -
Barts chief executive asks for audit on cancelled operations
PERFORMANCE: The chief executive of the £1.1bn-turnover Barts Health NHS Trust has ordered an audit to determine the number of operations cancelled the day before surgery. -
Beverley joins Ipswich Hospital as interim chief
WORKFORCE: Nigel Beverley has joined Ipswich Hospital Trust as interim chief executive. Mr Beverley has worked in the NHS at senior management level for over 25 years. -
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals removed from significant breach
FINANCE: Foundation trust regulator Monitor today confirmed that Blackpool Teaching Hospitals Trust was no longer in significant breach of its terms of authorisation. -
Boards with more doctors help deliver better care
Patient satisfaction and morbidity rates could be improved if more clinicians were appointed to NHS trust boards, new research indicates. -
Cameron introduces 'family and friends' hospitals rating
A system for ranking NHS hospitals by patient satisfaction in “real time” will be introduced across England from April next year, the prime minister has announced. -
'Cancel operations now', warns doctors' leader ahead of pension action
Hospital managers should begin cancelling routine surgery and appointments now ahead of a day of action by doctors on 21 June, according to the British Medical Association’s consultant leader. -
Circle asks investors for £46m to support NHS expansion plans
Private healthcare provider Circle has reported a pre-tax loss of £32.9m for 2011 and announced plans to raise around £46m through the issue of around 68m new shares to institutional investors. -
Collaboration can bring improvements in the quality and productivity of care
Barbara Green examines the barriers to improving quality and productivity in the NHS through collaboration. -
CQC criticises poor discharges at Lincoln
PERFORMANCE: Patients at Lincoln County Hospital were “at risk from delays and uncoordinated care” when they were discharged, according to an inspection by the Care Quality Commission. -
Cumbria CCG given estimated operating budget of £13m
FINANCE: The clinical commissioning group set to replace NHS Cumbria has been allocated an indicative running costs budget of £12.8m, a paper published by the NHS Commissioning Board today shows. -
David Fillingham: on the lean approach
The response I’ve heard many times when talking to NHS staff about applying lean to healthcare is: “We’re not Japanese and we don’t make cars”. -
David Kerr: converting data into currency
I recently attended an excellent meeting in Boston at which the US healthcare system was discussed by luminaries such as Bill Clinton, Don Berwick and Clayton Christensen. There were three dominant themes – the three Ds – decentralisation, data and derivation of value. -
DH business plan sets out caveats and minor delays
More details about public health funding, including how the controversial “health premium” will work in practice, are due to be published this month according to the Department of Health’s latest business plan. -
DH unveils plans for increased competition in diagnostics and mental health
The Department of Health has unveiled its strategy for extending competition from any qualified provider to new areas of NHS care, including mental health and diagnostic tests. -
Doctors to take industrial action following strike ballot
UK doctors will not provide non-urgent care on 21 June in industrial action over the government’s planned pension changes, the British Medical Association has said. -
East Anglia has higher than average HCAI prevalence
PERFORMANCE: The prevalence of healthcare associated infections in the East of England region is slightly above the national average, according to a report from the Health Protection Agency. -
East Midlands has lowest than average HCAI prevalence
PERFORMANCE: The prevalence of healthcare associated infections in the East Midlands region is well below the national average, according to a report from the Health Protection Agency. -
East Surrey tests out its major incident preparedness
WORKFORCE: Staff at East Surrey Hospital have carried out their latest training exercise to test the hospital’s plans for dealing with a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incident. -
Emergency waits rise alongside savings target struggle
The number of patients waiting more than four hours in accident and emergency has increased by 26 per cent in the past year, according to the King’s Fund. -
Exclusive: commissioning board offices 'to match old SHAs'
There are set to be 27 local arms of the NHS Commissioning Board, it has been confirmed. -
Exclusive: top foundation forms million-pound advertising agency
A leading foundation trust has set up a joint venture with a private company to sell advertising in NHS hospitals and on trust websites. -
Formal grievance lodged over outsourcing plans
WORKFORCE: Unison has lodged a formal grievance against University Hospitals of Leicestershire Trust following its decision to outsource transcriptions to India and downband medical secretaries. -
Foundation trust pipeline agency studies franchise and risk-share routes
The agency responsible for pushing trusts through the foundation authorisation pipeline will look at private sector management franchises and “risk-sharing agreements” for NHS hospitals. -
Funding secured for West Sussex memory assessment service
STRUCTURE: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has announced that dementia patients are set to benefit from a new memory assessment services in West Sussex. -
Getting patients to take responsibility for their own health
Patients will only progress when they take responsibility, writes David Haslam. -
Go ahead for £35m Shropshire reconfiguration
Major changes to acute services in Shropshire have been given the green-light, paving the way for a £35m reconfiguration across the county’s two hospitals. -
Hertfordshire gives approval for £30m QEII redevelopment
COMMERCIAL: The full business case for the £30m redevelopment of the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital site in Welwyn Garden City has been approved by NHS Hertfordshire. -
How an MBA programme is helping staff to lead more effectively
Clinical and non-clinical leaders in London are thinking more strategically and commercially thanks to an MBA programme that helps staff be more effective in the workplace. -
How better equipment management offers time and money savings
Managing medical equipment is an often overlooked and typically inefficient aspect of running a healthcare facility. -
How diabetes data can unlock more funding for services
The best practice tariff for paediatric diabetes presents a major opportunity for childhood diabetes specialists to attract important funding for under-resourced services. But to capitalise, clinicians must demonstrate they are meeting national guidelines and delivering best practice, says John Sanderson. -
How HealthWatch can help support local economies
Ross Griffiths explores how HealthWatch bodies have the opportunity to support local health economies and their scope for innovation in delivering care. -
How to buy: outsource car parking services for an easier ride
Running a trust car park that keeps patients, staff and coffers happy can seem an impossible task, but success is all in the outsourcing, writes Alison Moore -
Improved NHS procurement could save £1.2bn - Burns
Health minister Simon Burns has said the NHS can save “at least” £1.2bn over the next four years if it improves the way it handles procurement. -
Infection rates slashed at Lincolnshire hospitals
Infection rates at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust have been dramatically slashed over the last five years, the trust has claimed. -
Ipswich secures interim chief
WORKFORCE: Nigel Beverley has joined Ipswich Hospital Trust as interim chief executive. -
Lansley looking forward to 'time when there are no more Mid Staffs'
The government and the law are on the side of NHS staff who raise concerns about patient care, the health secretary has said. -
Lawyers warn largest foundation trust it could face German tax bill
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation Trust has been advised it could face a significant tax-bill from the German authorities. -
Liverpool CCG given estimated operating budget of £11.4m
FINANCE: The clinical commissioning group set to replace NHS Liverpool has been allocated an indicative running costs budget of £11.4m, a paper published by the NHS Commissioning Board today shows. -
London has higher than average HCAI prevalence
PERFORMANCE: The prevalence of healthcare associated infections in the London region is above the national average, according to a report from the Health Protection Agency. -
Media Watch: green fingers could help push figures into the red
A plan to save over £1bn in NHS procurement costs was the story pushed to the media by the Department of Health at the start of the week. -
Michael White: Burns resumes battle with NHS procurement
Well done, Simon “Smoker” Burns for this week’s launch of yet another attempt by the Department of Health to improve the efficiency of NHS procurement. -
Mid Staffs A&E re-opening pushed back again
STRUCTURE: Clinicians have pushed back the re-opening of Mid Staffs A&E department to October amid concerns recent improvements may not be sustainable. -
More midwives for Ashford and St Peter’s
WORKFORCE: Ashford and St Peter’s Hospital FT has approved funding for 10 additional midwifery posts to cope with increased demand. -
New cancer service at Burton
PERFORMANCE: Burton Hospitals FT has launched a one-stop clinic to help speed up the diagnosis of patients suspected of having lung cancer. -
New chief executive for Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals
WORKFORCE: The Essex trust has appointed Clare Panniker, chief executive of North Middlesex University Hospital Trust, as the replacement for Alan Whittle. -
New merged Barts trust 'can learn from Whipps Cross and Newham'
PERFORMANCE: The newly merged Barts Health NHS Trust organisation “can learn from Whipps Cross and Newham”, turnaround advisors have said. -
New research centre for major diseases opens
A new research centre to find treatments for major diseases has been opened by the Princess Royal. -
NHS 111 commissioners told to protect staff or lose funding
NHS deputy chief executive David Flory has written to commissioners of the new NHS 111 non-emergency telephone number to remind them of their responsibilities regarding NHS Direct staff. -
NHS could impose mandatory retirement age after court verdict
A recent court ruling could help create a precedent allowing NHS employers to apply a compulsory retirement age to staff, HSJ has been told. -
NHS Lewisham hires social enterprise for child weight management service.
PERFORMANCE: The south east London primary care trust has commissioned the service from Mytime Health, a social enterprise that grew out of Bromley Council’s leisure services in 2004. -
Nicholson calls for 'leap forward' in management style
The NHS chief executive said the management style of the service will have to make a “great leap forward” if it is to survive with little or no investment in the future. -
Nicholson: 'very real' chance Francis recommendations will conflict with policy
Recommendations from the Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust public inquiry run a “very real” risk of conflicting with government policy, NHS chief executive Sir David Nicholson has admitted. -
Noel Plumridge: levelling the provider playing field
Last year the social enterprise sector was boosted by numerous NHS non-acute providers choosing a “third sector” future. Many community nurses and therapists adopted mutual status rather than combine with the local acute hospital trust. -
Norfolk and Norwich at risk of breaching authorisation
One of the East of England’s largest foundation trusts is at risk of being found in breach of its authorisation by Monitor. -
North West has higher than average HCAI prevalence
PERFORMANCE: The prevalence of healthcare associated infections in the North West region is above the national average, according to a report from the Health Protection Agency. -
Northampton General takes on vascular surgery
STRUCTURE: A review of vascular surgery in Northamptonshire has resulted in Northampton General Hospital Trust acting as the hub for the specialist service in the county. -
Parking fee rise at Chesterfield
FINANCE: Parking fees are set to rise for patients and visitors at Chesterfield Royal Hospital Foundation Trust from June 1. -
Patient preferences matter: another call for doctors to change
Today, we witness the publication of King’s Fund report Patients preference matter: Stop the silent misdiagnosis, by Professor Al Mulley and colleagues, which makes a strong case that the medical profession have largely failed to diagnose what patients want. -
PCT approves hospital redevelopment
STRUCTURE: The full business case for the £30m redevelopment of the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital site in Welwyn Garden City has been approved by NHS Hertfordshire. -
Predictably secure
UK and European energy storage is vital. “Futureproofing” the UK’s energy supply is dependent on having a well developed energy system that provides secure, low carbon, affordable energy, while providing the flexibility to respond to varying demands and unforeseen circumstances. -
Preferred providers for NHS 111 announced in the south west
NHS Direct has been named as the preferred provider to deliver the new non-emergency NHS 111 phone number to almost 1.5m residents in the south west. -
Primary care premises may prove too costly for independents
The bricks and mortar of the GP business model are under threat, writes Noel Plumridge. -
Providers sceptical on extending mental health choice
Proposals to extend competition between any qualified provider for mental health have been greeted with scepticism. -
Public engagement with service information is key test of choice
The net promoter score dominates the measurement of customer satisfaction. Indeed many HSJ readers will have contributed to the title’s annual NPS survey. -
Public pressure led to PCT inspection, MP claims
PERFORMANCE: Pressure from patients and politicians helped to create a review of the out-of-hours medical service offered to people in Cornwall, according to an MP. -
RCN warns of treatment in corridors and long trolley waits
Patients are being routinely left on trolleys for hours and treated in corridors and other inappropriate areas, the Royal College of Nursing has warned in the wake of new survey results. -
Readers' letters – 31 May 2012
Information strategy leaves a gap between rhetoric and reality; and a sore point on nurse registration. -
Reconfiguration high on Monitor's agenda after FT breach
STRUCTURE: Monitor’s response to financial problems at a struggling foundation trust has offered the first example of the watchdog’s new readiness to push for reconfiguration of services. -
Royal Surrey celebrates low neonate mortality rates
PERFORMANCE: Neonatal services at Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have been rated the best across Surrey, Sussex and South West London. -
Royal Wolverhampton produces newspaper
PERFORMANCE: A West Midlands hospital has produced its own four-page newspaper to be distributed to more than 100,000 homes. -
SE Coast has higher than average HCAI prevalence
PERFORMANCE: The prevalence of healthcare associated infections in the South East Coast region is slightly above the national average, according to a report from the Health Protection Agency. -
SHA declines sign-off on Cumbria savings plan
FINANCE: The North of England strategic health authority cluster has reported that it has been unable to sign off NHS Cumbria’s quality, innovation, productivity and prevention (QIPP) savings plans for 2012-13 due to “significant ongoing risks to delivery”. -
Social care system needs urgent funding reform - report
Urgent reform to the funding of the social care system is needed to meet the needs of an ageing population, health experts have said. -
Social enterprises face losing core contracts
Social enterprises set up by former NHS staff must improve their commercial skills or risk losing their contracts in the next two or three years, a key Department of Health official has told HSJ. -
South Central has highest HCAI prevalence
PERFORMANCE: The prevalence of healthcare associated infections in the South Central region is above the national average, according to a report from the Health Protection Agency. -
South London Healthcare records below average infections
PERFORMANCE: South London Healthcare Trust recorded a 2.1 per cent rate for healthcare-associated infections, against a 6.5 per cent national average, according to Health Protection Agency figures. -
South London Healthcare Trust misses saving target in 2011-12
FINANCE: The south east London acute trust achieved a saving of £20.7m against a plan of £30.6m -
South West has higher than average HCAI prevalence
PERFORMANCE: The prevalence of healthcare associated infections in the South West region is slightly above the national average, according to a report from the Health Protection Agency. -
Specialist trust chief executive leaves for charity
WORKFORCE: Jane Collins, chief executive of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children Foundation Trust, is stepping down to take up the chief executive’s role at Marie Curie Cancer Care. -
Sussex FT makes plea to CCGs to boost mental health funding
FINANCE: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has warned that current primary care trust funding for mental health is below the level of need in many parts of Sussex. -
The age of information awaits the NHS and its patients
Only by adopting a new and radical mindset can the healthcare industry reap the benefits of up to date, accurate information, writes Mark Flannagan. -
Tools to help CCGs take predictive risk modelling forward
Predictive risk tools are more efficient and accurate than clinicians at targeting at-risk patient groups – so CCGs should not shy away from them, says Ian Blunt -
Top managers set to escape regional pay
The NHS’s most senior managers should not receive localised rates of pay, the Department of Health has said. -
Tougher penalties on horizon for slow ambulance handovers
Hospital trusts are likely to face tougher penalties for keeping ambulances waiting outside accident and emergency departments, HSJ has learned. -
Treasury green light for Herts A&E rebuild
STRUCTURE: A key part of the £150m redevelopment of the Lister Hospital in Hertfordshire has been given the go-ahead by the Treasury. -
Trust approves £1m consultant rota to cut death rates
WORKFORCE: Consultants working at Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals Trust are to be expected to work a seven-day rota in a drive to cut the number of weekend deaths. -
Trust investigation after death of baby delivered on floor
PERFORMANCE: University Hospitals of Leicester Trust is investigating the death of a baby after his mother was forced to give birth on a day room floor because midwives were too busy to see her. -
Turning the NHS into a lean, mean, healthcare machine
Manufacturing and healthcare appear to be poles apart but when it comes to reducing waste and improving efficiency, the gap is not as wide as it seems, John Neill tells Andrew Snowball. -
UHBristol strugglng with A&E target
PERFORMANCE: A shortage of nursing staff is one of the key reasons University Hospitals Bristol Foundation Trust has consistently failed the four hour accident and emergency target in 2012. -
Waiting times row health board misses treatment target
PERFORMANCE: A health board in Scotland that manipulated waiting times is the only one in the country that failed to meet a key target for treating patients, figures have shown. -
Ward changes at Pilgrim to improve care
Cardiology patients at Lincolnshire’s Pilgrim Hospital are to be concentrated on one ward to improve patient care. -
Watchdog claims doctors are failing cardiac arrest patients
Cardiac arrests in hospitals could be prevented if doctors recognise and act on early warning signs more quickly, a health watchdog has said. -
West Midlands has lower than average HCAI prevalence
PERFORMANCE: The prevalence of healthcare associated infections in the West Midlands region is slightly below the national average, according to a report from the Health Protection Agency. -
Why effective teamwork is a cliché crucial to collaboration
Peter Homa discusses the vital place of effective teamwork in healthcare delivery. -
Yorks has lower than average HCAI prevalence
PERFORMANCE: The prevalence of healthcare associated infections in the Yorkshire and Humber region is below the national average, according to a report from the Health Protection Agency.
