Health Service Journal
Kaye McIntosh

The £80bn man: GPs get ready to hold the NHS budget

31-Mar-2011
HSJ’s special supplement on GP commissioning looks at the challenges facing commissioners in the new NHS.
Personal health budgets: the patient is always right

2-Mar-2009
Will individual health budgets help patients get the best care or leave the NHS struggling with increased costs and new ethical dilemmas? Kaye McIntosh reports
Added values: improving learning disabilities services

16-Feb-2009
People with learning disabilities are entitled to the same high quality healthcare as other patients, but serious cases of abuse and neglect suggest the NHS is far from meeting its obligations. Kaye McIntosh reports on the work now under way to turn this around
Benchmarking out of hours healthcare

8-Sep-2008
Huge variations in the cost and quality of out of hours healthcare around the country have led to moves to benchmark these services. Kaye McIntosh reports
Palliative care: on their terms

4-Aug-2008
Big Lottery funding means young people in West Sussex get holistic palliative care in an environment of their choice - even if that means down on the beach
Under the radar: BME mental health

4-Aug-2008
Language barriers and stereotyping mean the mental health needs of black and minority ethnic older people are going unseen by commissioners. Kaye McIntosh reports
Blair asked to intervene as PCT slashes budget by £25m

1-Jan-2007
A council leader has called on the prime minister to stop a primary care trust cutting its budget by £25m. Mr Blair was dragged into the row after the leader of Brent London borough council threatened to refuse to accept any attempt to shift work from healthcare to social services.
Chair quits over private power

1-Jan-2007
A primary care trust chair has resigned in protest at the increasing role of the private sector in the NHS. Rochdale PCT chair Debbie Abrahams spoke to HSJ after her announcement at a public demonstration in Manchester.
Foundation governance definitely not kids' stuff

1-Jan-2007
Monitor has stepped in to prevent a foundation trust appointing children as governors.
Funding row could see 1,800 patients rejected by foundation

1-Jan-2007
A foundation trust has become the first in the country to turn patients away after the escalation of a public row with its primary care trust over funding.
Media watch

1-Jan-2007
The NHS entered the debate about What Not to Wearthis week as the Daily Expresstrumpeted: 'The veil is banned in hospitals.' The paper revealed 'details of the purge of faceless medics' at Birmingham University's school of medicine. Students are allowed to cover up in lectures and on campus, but not while seeing patients or meeting other staff in hospitals or GP surgeries.
Hewitt claims just 1 in 9 job cuts are down to redesigns

7-Dec-2006
Only one in nine NHS redundancies so far this year has come as a result of Commissioning a Patient-led NHS, health secretary Patricia Hewitt has told MPs.
Signs of the times

24-Aug-2000
Two pages of the NHS plan are given over to a collection of signatures from the great and the good. HSJ asked a handwriting expert to tell us what they revealed.
Hold your privates

10-Aug-2000
The government is determined to ensure consultants pull their weight in their NHS work - but how tough will the crackdown really be, asks Kaye McIntosh
'Shocked' CHCs bite back in row over abolition

3-Aug-2000
Patient watchdogs have attacked the government's NHS plan, warning it will reduce public monitoring of the NHS despite its supposed 'patient focus'.
Casting a verdict on history

27-Jul-2000
Landmark? Last chance? Election winner? Will today's national plan for the NHS fulfil the many hopes invested in it? Kaye McIntosh asks key players for their assessment
Legal ruling may see CHI go public

27-Jul-2000
A landmark court ruling could force the Commission for Health Improvement to hold its investigations in public.
Surgeons admit no evidence of value for money in trauma plans

27-Jul-2000
The Royal College of Surgeons has demanded a major re-organisation of trauma services, while admitting there is no evidence this would be costeffective.
'Climate of fear' mars push to create PCTs

20-Jul-2000
The government is at risk of 'derailing' its own reform of primary care, according to research by the NHS Alliance.
Empowerment to the people

20-Jul-2000
Professor Aidan Halligan insists he's not one of the great and the good, but he tells Kaye McIntosh that his clinical governance support team is about delivering a 'patient-centred, staff-owned quality health service'
MPs to have reduced role in a appointments

13-Jul-2000
Ministers have come close to admitting that asking MPs to recommend people to sit on hospital or health authority boards can 'politicise' the NHS.
Local government will 'resist' integrated care

6-Jul-2000
Local authorities have warned they will 'resist' health secretary Alan Milburn's plans to give the NHS the power to run social services.
Blank check

29-Jun-2000
In a bid to restore public confidence after a series of headline-grabbing scandals, the medical profession is seeking to establish a revalidation scheme for its members. But it won't come cheap. Kaye McIntosh reports
Radiology department loses consultant on eve of report

29-Jun-2000
A consultant at the centre of an investigation into a leading radiology department is to leave his post as clinical director.
GMC confirms need for doctor reforms

22-Jun-2000
Plans to make doctors prove they are good at their jobs will be unveiled today by the embattled General Medical Council.
Public enemy no 1

22-Jun-2000
The General Medical Council is under attack now even from doctors. Kaye McIntosh soaks up the hostility at the LMC's annual conference
Fears that new top job signals tighter control

15-Jun-2000
Managers fear that health secretary Alan Milburn's decision to combine the top jobs at the NHS Executive and Department of Health signals a further tightening of control, ending the arm's-length role of the Executive.
A personnel best?

8-Jun-2000
A computer system linking all the personnel information of NHS staff is on its way. But will this IT initiative deliver the goods where so many others have failed? Kaye McIntosh reports
Legal action and picket threat to HA over plans to dismantle PCG

8-Jun-2000
Doctors have threatened to take Manchester health authority to court over plans to break up a primary care group, while health visitors have warned they will picket the HA's headquarters in protest.
Hospital report set to back whistleblowers

1-Jun-2000
An investigation into claims that staff were 'victimised' for raising concerns about a leading radiology unit is expected to be severely critical of senior managers.
Turning up the heat

1-Jun-2000
Proposals from an expert group on critical care are already looking ahead to the service demands of next winter. And there's money available, too. Kaye McIntosh reports
The Commons touch

25-May-2000
Up and down the country, citizens of the nation have been invited to speak their hearts and minds on the great national plan for health. Kaye McIntosh lends an ear
Trial and error

18-May-2000
The deaths of premature babies at North Staffordshire Hospital have proved that the NHS still needs to change radically the way it regards patients.Kaye McIntosh reports on the latest lesson the NHS can't afford to ignore
Beds under the Reds

11-May-2000
Labour has crossed the ideological divide to embrace joint working with the private sector as a way to free NHS beds. Kaye McIntosh reports
Caution urged on use of private homes

4-May-2000
Health and social services managers have urged the government to take a cautious approach to proposals to combat bed shortages by transferring elderly NHS patients to private nursing homes.
Ministers rush out plan to halt spiralling generic drug costs

27-Apr-2000
Health ministers plan to abolish a scheme under which drug companies have been 'taking advantage of the NHS' to increase dramatically the price of unbranded medicines.
Nought for your comfort

20-Apr-2000
Health service workers were told to blame managers, not ministers, for low pay - and the rest - at Unison's healthcare conference. Kaye McIntosh reports
Pay negotiators to reveal slow going

20-Apr-2000
Negotiators who have been locked in talks on a new pay system for the NHS for almost a year will reveal limited progress this week, days after health minister John Denham launched an action plan for involving staff in decision-making.
Voices off

13-Apr-2000
A generous health secretary and a joking Opposition leader got warm receptions at the RCN Congress. It was when they left the stage that the dissent started, writes Kaye McIntosh
Crisis talks as CHI moves in on Lakeland for abuse probe

6-Apr-2000
A government hit-squad has held a crisis meeting with managers at a trust stung by revelations of horrifying abuse of elderly mentally ill patients.
Cut to the quick

6-Apr-2000
A rapid-response team is offering patients support after leaving hospital - or helping them avoid admission altogether. Kaye McIntosh explains
HA chair resigns in protest over 'bypass' plans for Budget money

6-Apr-2000
A health authority chair has resigned in protest at the government's claim that Budget money would bypass HAs.
Look who's talking

6-Apr-2000
Whatever the future holds for Bart's, it seems destined for controversy. Kaye McIntosh reports
Grin and bear it

23-Mar-2000
The prime minister was kept on his mettle when he appeared - on a giant screen - to reassure a GPs' conference. Kaye McIntosh was there
Fritchie 'must spell out' councillors' role

16-Mar-2000
A highly critical report on political appointments must spell out the roles and responsibilities of councillors who sit on trust, health authority and primary care group boards, NHS leaders have demanded.
Climbing out of the chair

9-Mar-2000
Health service managers will be familiar with trust chairs taking a hands-on approach, but one has swapped roles entirely - and become a chief executive. Kaye McIntosh reports
Denham raps HAs starving PCGs of cash

24-Feb-2000
Health minister John Denham is set to issue a stern rebuke to health authorities that fail to hand over enough money to primary care groups.
What's up, docs?

24-Feb-2000
The Shipman case sounded the death-knell for the GMC in its current form. But what might replace self-regulation? Kaye McIntosh considers the options
Charity 'funded cottage on NHS'

17-Feb-2000
Ministers have promised to investigate claims that a charity charged with caring for people with learning difficulties spent NHS money on a holiday cottage, caravan and boat.
Watchdogs pour scorn as trusts volunteer to be CHI guinea pigs

17-Feb-2000
As many as 10 trusts have volunteered to be inspected by the Commission for Health Improvement when it starts work in April.
Council launches legal battle

10-Feb-2000
A council has launched a legal battle against venture capitalists trying to close an elderly people's home sold off by the council before the general election.
News focus

10-Feb-2000
Just like film star Meryl Streep, able to adapt to many different roles, and carry them off with aplomb. That's the model for the Commission for Health Improvement. Kaye McIntosh reports
£90m cash injection not enough to counter soaring drug prices

3-Feb-2000
A £90m cash injection by the government has failed to wipe out an overspending crisis caused by the soaring cost of unbranded drugs.
GPs accuse ministers of ignoring PCT fury

27-Jan-2000
Family doctors have launched a furious attack on two of the final group of first-wave primary care trusts.
Out in front

20-Jan-2000
Out in front Just 13 primary care trusts will be launched in the first wave, but guidance only increases speculation over who will control whom.
Man of the match

13-Jan-2000
The post may not be without its problems, but the NHS s new deputy chief executive is widely viewed as an ideal partner for its boss, writes Kaye McIntosh
Milburn makes early case for funds boost

6-Jan-2000
Health secretary Alan Milburn has started bargaining for more money for the NHS ahead of this year s government-wide review of spending - but warned that any funds will be closely tied to performance targets.
Toeing the line

16-Dec-1999
'Treatment for those who will benefit' was Alan Milburn's spin on the r-word at NICE's first conference. Kaye McIntosh joined the queues
PCGs get backing for drug sponsor deals

9-Dec-1999
GPs and primary care groups have been 'surprised' by 'liberal' guidance on sponsorship deals with drug companies.
Parents protest over children's hearts retained by pathologists

25-Nov-1999
A meeting of up to 400 parents who believe their children's hearts were kept without their knowledge by Alder Hey Children's Hospital, in Liverpool, has been called for next week.
HAs will have powers to suspend doctors in performance reforms

18-Nov-1999
Health authorities will be given the power to suspend incompetent GPs as part of a government drive against poorly performing doctors.
Heat is on government over long-term care

18-Nov-1999
The chair of the Royal Commission on Long-Term Care is to meet health secretary Alan Milburn to press for an urgent answer to its call for free personal care for elderly people.
Inquiry finds elderly people need surgery without delays

18-Nov-1999
The NHS should offer a 24-hour guarantee to elderly patients needing urgent surgery, national watchdogs have warned.
Pack for PCTs is pulled by NHS Executive

11-Nov-1999
The NHS Executive is being forced to withdraw an information pack for potential primary care trust board members that sparked a row in the runup to the launch of guidance on the governance arrangements for PCTs this week.
With friends like these. . .

11-Nov-1999
Managers, GPs and politicians are the best of friends. Even rival national PCG organisations love each other really. Yet, somehow, the NAPC's conference wasn't entirely tension-free, writes Kaye McIntosh
300 NHS staff could be seconded to CHI

4-Nov-1999
Up to 300 staff could be seconded from frontline NHS jobs to the Commission for Health Improvement, which was given its official launch by prime minister Tony Blair this week.
First-wave PCTs could number 19

28-Oct-1999
Up to 19 independent primary care trusts could be established in the first wave of the government's reform of community and family health services next April.
Lightly grilled

28-Oct-1999
Only the gentlest heat was turned on health minister John Denham at the distinctly on-message New Health Network's conference. Kaye McIntosh reports
Enthusiasm for 'superhospitals' toned down

30-Sep-1999
this week
PCGs warn of losing battle against soaring drug prices

23-Sep-1999
Primary care groups have warned that soaring drug costs could lead to city-wide overspends of up to £1m.
Scrutiny on the bounty

23-Sep-1999
news focus
Prime minister's question time

16-Sep-1999
news focus:
Scrutiny on the bounty

9-Sep-1999
news focus:
Count us in

2-Sep-1999
news focus:
Treasury cost jitters mean just 10 PCTs may spearhead reforms

26-Aug-1999
this week
CHCs want swift consultation on plans for mental health shake-up

19-Aug-1999
news
Doctors protest in foreign juniors row

12-Aug-1999
news
Jowell urged to act on prescription exercise

12-Aug-1999
news
PCTs get eleventh-hour cash deal

5-Aug-1999
this week
Pally at the Ally

29-Jul-1999
Teenies' delight Richard Blackwood put some rare glamour into health management at a HImP launch. Kaye McIntosh looked on in disbelief
Injunction win for suspended doctor

15-Jul-1999
A doctor has won a court injunction against a trust which suspended him after he carried out an unauthorised audit of cancer screening results.
Managers warn on PCT funding

15-Jul-1999
Managers have warned that funding to smooth the development of primary care trusts must be pledged in the next batch of guidance on the reforms, due out later this month.
Polls apart

8-Jul-1999
news focus:
Labour exchange

1-Jul-1999
news focus:
Veto for Unison brings bitter dispute to an end

1-Jul-1999
news
Activists gatecrash director job interview

24-Jun-1999
Mental health service users claim to have gatecrashed a job interview for the director of a new organisation spearheading partnership with social services.
Community groups 'may desert HAZ'

24-Jun-1999
Community groups have threatened to walk away from a health action zone unless there is more community involvement.
Community trusts win praise for PCT moves

17-Jun-1999
news
Health Bill focus on process, not results, 'leaves patients at risk'

17-Jun-1999
news
Major job cuts free primary care cash

10-Jun-1999
news
Suspended: financial director in budget row

10-Jun-1999
news
Wham BAMM

10-Jun-1999
news focus:
Doctors stand down to hasten PCT upgrade

6-May-1999
news
Jobs at risk as trusts 'face £100m crisis'

15-Apr-1999
Patient services and jobs are at risk as London trusts face a £75m cash crisis, figures obtained by HSJ show.
Streets ahead

15-Apr-1999
A project with a GP surgery is providing healthcare for homeless people who often can't get access to it. But its funding is in danger, writes Kaye McIntosh
Guiding light

4-Mar-1999
news focus
Ambulance trust chief executive retires before 999 inquiry reports

25-Feb-1999
The chief executive of an ambulance trust has retired, weeks before an inquiry reports on allegations that response times were 'doctored'.
Only two PCG chairs to be held by nurses

25-Feb-1999
Just two of the 481 primary care groups in England are chaired by nurses, it has emerged.
PCT guidance slammed as 'confused'

25-Feb-1999
Managers and clinicians have attacked key guidance on developing primary care trusts for being 'confused' and 'disappointing'.
Arousing debate

4-Feb-1999
The government's plans to limit prescribing of Viagra have raised questions about the powers of the new National Institute for Clinical Excellence, writes Kaye McIntosh
Failure to appoint chief blamed on 'low' salary

4-Feb-1999
Members of one of England's smallest primary care groups are protesting that they have been unable to appoint a chief executive because the health authority is insisting on a salary of just £26,000.
Jobs warning as shadow PCGs make firstmove to trust status

4-Feb-1999
Managers and GPs have warned that further 'wholesale reorganisation' and job losses could follow if dozens of primary care groups decide to move towards trust status in 1999.
Rushed deadline for three-way merger

14-Jan-1999
Hospital managers in Kent have been ordered to merge three acute trusts in less than four months.
PCG differences 'could recreate inequalities of fundholding era'

7-Jan-1999
Primary care groups risk recreating the inequalities of fundholding, researchers have warned.
Dobson faces calls for 999 'tampering' inquiry

3-Dec-1998
A government minister is calling for health secretary Frank Dobson to order an inquiry into allegations that a recording of a 999 call was tampered with.
Former minister calls for CJD compensation

26-Nov-1998
Victims of the human form of 'mad cow' disease should be paid compensation for their suffering, a former health minister has told the BSE inquiry.
London region must 'work as one NHS'

26-Nov-1998
London's health organisations will need to 'work as one NHS' to meet the 'challenge' of dealing with the Greater London Assembly and a directly elected mayor, managers have been told.
City limits

19-Nov-1998
In the first of an occasional series on the development of primary care groups in the north London boroughs of Enfield and Haringey, Kaye McIntosh reports that settling the size of units in this diverse catchment area has not been easy
To have and to hold

19-Nov-1998
Delegates to last week's NHS Primary Care Group Alliance conference expressed their worry that plans to let individual practices keep half of any savings made under PCGs will recreate the inequalities of fundholding. Kaye McIntosh reports
MPs act on 'missing link' between managersds; MPs act after evidence of 'poor communication' across the NHS

5-Nov-1998
MPs are to tackle 'poor communication' between managers and frontline clinical staff in a wide-ranging inquiry into the NHS workforce.
Researchers warn of 'gardening leave' rise

5-Nov-1998
Researchers have warned that a major government review of procedures for suspending doctors must look at the rising use of 'informal' suspensions as well as the formal disciplinary process.
Roof delays threaten Isle of Wight services

5-Nov-1998
Ministers have been attacked for delays in approving a £25m package of repairs to a 'flagship' hospital which had been hailed as an example of ground-breaking architecture.
100m a year 'wasted' on prescriptions for drug treatments 'of doubtful value'

29-Oct-1998
The NHS is wasting more than 100m a year on prescriptions for drugs 'of doubtful value' to patients, according to the doctors' prescribing bible.
Winter pressure cash plea meets a cool response from Executive

29-Oct-1998
The NHS Executive has responded coolly to calls for a regular cash injection to help trusts cope with steep rises in emergency cases over the winter months.
Milburn finds 9m for PCG recruitment

22-Oct-1998
Primary care groups have won a 9.1m cash boost to recruit board members and staff before they start running in April next year.
All together now

15-Oct-1998
The first joint national priorities guidance has arrived, spelling out new responsibilities to health and social services. Kaye McIntosh encounters mixed feelings about the measures, with fears about the speed of it all
Calman 'astonished' by farmers' line on CJD

15-Oct-1998
The farming industry displayed an 'astonishing' attitude to the risk of 'mad cow disease' being transmitted to humans through contaminated offal, former chief medical officer Sir Kenneth Calman told the BSE inquiry this week.
Downgrading at Queen Mary's fails to produce planned savings

8-Oct-1998
The controversial downgrading of a leading London acute hospital has failed to provide the multi-million pound savings expected, health authority managers have admitted.
Report blasts 'failure' of Health of the Nation

8-Oct-1998
Ministers have received a damning report on the 'failure' of the former Conservative government's Health of the Nation programme.
Review bodies told to be 'fair'

8-Oct-1998
NHS pay review bodies must stand up to the government and recommend inflation-busting pay rises for doctors and nurses, unions said last week.

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