DH spent £2m on first class travel
The Department of Health spent more than £2m on first class travel in the last 12 months, official figures show.
NHS managers demand power to fire GPs
Managers are calling for the power to “fire” GPs and to get rid of small practices to make the huge spending cuts needed in coming years.
DH launches £8m campaign to improve early diagnosis of cancer
Primary care trusts can bid for a share of an £8m government fund to help improve the early diagnosis of cancer, the Department of Health announced today.
DH accused of 'backroom deal' over preferred provider case
Primary care trusts in the East of England have been ordered by the Department of Health to suspend all procurements for community services.
‘NHS tourism’ under review
Plans to deter “health tourists” from coming to England for NHS treatment have been outlined in a consultation launched by the Department of Health.
David Nicholson calls for 'more urgency' in stroke care
NHS chief executive Sir David Nicholson has said trusts must put “more urgency” into meeting the requirements of the national stroke strategy.
PCTs call for lighter commissioning assessment
Primary care trust chief executives are calling for “lighter touch” assessment of their progress on commissioning, despite efforts made by the Department of Health to ease the process.
Priorities for quality pilots
GP practices, community service providers, community pharmacists and out of hours providers will be expected to set out at least three, but no more than five, priorities for quality improvement each year, if pilot proposals become the template for primary care quality accounts due to be introduced next year.
Fresh investigations stall Kingston branch surgery plans
The Department of Health has not yet approved the opening of a Kingston GP group’s new branch surgery - two months after the cooperation and competition panel said it should go ahead.
NHS boards are patient safety ‘cornerstone’
NHS chief executive Sir David Nicholson has told boards they are the “cornerstone” of efforts to avoid tragedies such as the events at Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust.
New health minister unveiled
The Department of Health has confirmed Baroness Thornton as its latest health minister.
DH takes hold of death ratio debate
The Department of Health is taking action to ensure the NHS agrees a way of measuring and reporting hospitals’ death rates, in response to the furore prompted by last year’s Dr Foster Hospital Guide.
CQC fears over mental health safeguards
The Care Quality Commission is looking for urgent “levers” to strengthen legal safeguards it fears are failing to protect vulnerable mental health patients.
Trusts face hard task to achieve 18-week ‘right’
Trusts are facing a difficult six weeks before the promised right for patients to be treated within 18 weeks comes into force on 1 April, at the likely start of a general election campaign.
NPSA halts search for chief executive
The National Patient Safety Agency has put off its search for a new chief executive amid a Department of Health clampdown on senior appointments at arm’s length bodies.
Royal Surrey sold millions of pounds of NHS drugs in 'unacceptable' export trading
HSJ has uncovered the NHS hospital that sold millions of pounds’ worth of hospital drugs intended for NHS use onto the export market, despite government warnings the behaviour was “unacceptable”.
NHS trusts 'not acting on safety alerts'
Hundreds of trusts have failed to take action on patient safety alerts issued to tackle problems that cause injury or death, a report out today says.
Tories sketch out public sector co-ops
The Tories have renewed a pledge to give public sector workers the chance to form co-operatives to run services.
Imperial readies for new foundation trust bid
Imperial College Healthcare Trust is expected to begin the formal process of applying for foundation status in the spring.
Appraisals suspended after security flaws exposed
The NHS electronic appraisals system for doctors has been taken offline after it was found to be vulnerable to hacking.
More on the DH
Why NHS bullying has no benefits
Healthcare managers should never forget that good performance requires morale-boosting not ego-bashing, advises Paul Beal
How to make sexual health promotion a success
Public and patient engagement in genito-urinary and HIV services in Coventry has included a comic turn and simpler branding, reports Lynne Greenwood
How to get better health outcomes in diverse groups
Healthcare of people from BME groups is being improved by committed leaders and by projects monitoring community cohesion as well as equalities. Mark Gould reports
Guide to increasing breastfeeding rates with the Baby Friendly initiative
The Baby Friendly accreditation scheme has the power to reduce costs as well as infant and maternal illnesses
How to plan for cold weather with a swine flu pandemic looming
How can trusts put intensive care plans in place this winter with a swine flu pandemic looming, asks Jennifer Taylor
How to commission for equality and diversity in the NHS
Collecting ethnicity data and engaging with the range of communities will help the NHS address health inequalities and meet its statutory requirements, says Caroline White
