NHS Confederation
NHS Confederation News
Monitor admits credit ratings agency plan may not be feasible
Monitor is reviewing its controversial proposals to require key service providers to receive external credit ratings or have limits placed on their debts.
Safety fears grow as upheaval of care quality staff triples
The government’s health reforms have sparked a tripling of turnover among the NHS managers, nurses and doctors responsible for monitoring hospital care quality.
Health economies rush to pilot year-of-care tariff
More than 90 sets of providers and commissioners have shown interest in becoming one of the six trial sites for year-of-care tariff trials, HSJ has learned.
Pearson to head Health Education England
NHS Confederation chair Sir Keith Pearson is to head up the new body being set up to oversee the education of health professionals, it has been announced.
Warning of 'deep unease' about safeguarding fragmentation
Safeguarding arrangements for vulnerable children could become “more confusing, fragmented and possibly riskier” under government reforms, the NHS Confederation has warned.
Steve Shrubb leaving NHS Confederation to lead trust
Steve Shrubb is leaving his role as director of the NHS Confederation’s mental health network to take on “one of the biggest mental health jobs in the country”.
Mandate will test government's 'political grip' on NHS
The government must use its first “mandate” to prove its “willingness to truly release a tight political grip from the NHS”, Malcolm Grant said.
Commissioning board 'could control half of some trusts' income'
The NHS Commissioning Board expects to control half of the income for some trusts through its funding of specialised services.
NHS reports strong performance on 18 weeks targets
The NHS continued its strong performance on waiting times in February, achieving all three 18 week referral-to-treatment measures for the second consecutive month.
Integrate mental health services for bigger savings - Confed
Integrating mental health and physical health services can lead to better patient care and significant savings, according to the NHS Confederation.
Mike Farrar warns to expect politicised mandate
NHS Confederation has said the first NHS “mandate” will spark public and political debate about the service’s priorities.
Three top NHS regional chiefs decline commissioning board roles
Three of the NHS’s most experienced and respected leaders have decided against joining the NHS Commissioning Board.
Exclusive: Poor patients face shorter GP opening hours
The number of GP practices paid to offer longer opening hours dropped sharply last year, an HSJ investigation has revealed. The fall was particularly steep in poorer areas.
NHS savings plans 'short on detail' as trusts plan swathe of cuts
There is a lack of detail about where “efficiency savings” demanded by the government of the health service are being made, analysts have said.
NHS and pharmaceutical partnerships being deterred by 'misconceptions'
Opportunities for collaboration between the NHS and pharmaceutical companies are being missed due to “misconceptions” about the industry, guidance exclusively disclosed to HSJ has warned.
NHS reform row 'not over', warn healthcare leaders
The high profile row over the government’s NHS reforms will persist despite its Health Bill finally becoming law, healthcare leaders predict.
FTN fails to appoint new chief executive after second batch of interviews
The Foundation Trust Network has failed to appoint a new chief executive after interviewing a second group of candidates earlier this month.
Voluntary redundancies dominate PCT pay-offs
Two thirds of the cost of paying off primary care trust managers to make early financial savings went on allowing them to retire early or volunteer to leave the NHS.
DH mental health strategy 'at risk', warns Farrar
The government’s mental health strategy is at risk of stalling because the necessary “basic building blocks” to make it a success are not in place, the head of the NHS Confederation has warned.
'Command and control' management style leads to poor care
Poor care will ensue if managers impose a “command and control” culture that robs staff of authority to make decisions, a major report into the care of older people has found.
More on the NHS Confed
How staff can lead the way in a redesign
There is no shortage of examples of staff-led redesign saving money while improving care - the workforce just needs the permission to do it, writes RCN chief executive Peter Carter.
Why the success of health and wellbeing boards depends on relationships
The effectiveness of health and wellbeing boards will depond upon how well they are able to build relationships between their members, says NHS Confederation deputy policy director Jo Webber.
Why sustainable health services are key to the future of healthcare
Sustainability means more than turning down the thermostat or installing bike racks. David Pencheon argues the NHS must change the way it delivers care if sustainability is to be a successful long term commitment.
Swine flu: what about NHS workers?
How do you deliver an effective health service with a workforce severely depleted by swine flu? Rachael Heenan looks at ways of coping
NHS performance: GPs in the spotlight
Tight budgets mean PCTs must scrutinise all contractors to ensure they are providing the right value and quality of services - and this includes GPs. Graham Clews looks at the role of the balanced scorecard
One year on: Darzi's long and winding road
Only 12 months into Lord Darzi’s 10-15 year vision, it is no surprise that little real progress has been seen. But the forthcoming public spending squeeze could be a large and unexpected obstacle in the road to improved quality, safety and innovation.
