Best Practice

Best of 2012: long-term conditions

Long-term conditions is the subject of this selection of best practice content

Improving the quality of dementia care

Better planning and a reduction in medication can improve quality of life and make savings

Addressing the barriers

Research on stroke cases in Scotland suggests low-cost, hospital-based initiatives could transform outcomes for many

Teen cancer: a problem shared

Online communities can help teenagers cope with cancer

How to use healthcare apps to your advantage

How healthcare apps can make working life better

What's the alternative?

By John Holden

A specialist GP practice for housebound older patients has saved money and improved care

Paper-lite and beyond

St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals Trust is a pioneer in the shift from paper-based to electronic records

How to handle complaints

The system of dealing with grievances often falls at the hurdles

Using telecare as a catalyst for change

How to bring technology to the mainstream

Developing models for academic health science networks

How they will work?

Map a course to quality

By Dr Donal O'Donoghue , Beverley Matthews , Dr Ben Bray , Partha Das

Atlas could help deliver better healthcare for all people with kidney disease

When it pays to join together

Why acquisitions can be good for the NHS…

Homing in on improved care

By Candace Imison

What can be done to realise the vision of ‘care closer to home’?

Energy bills: off with the overheads

Rick-free partnerships with energy suppliers could help trusts trim their bills

Employment claims: a high stakes game

Will high costs discourage claims?

Chaplaincy in end of life care

By Paul Salter

What benefits can chaplaincy offer to those approaching the end of their life?

The importance of reflective practices

By Dr Natius Oelofsen

A whole systems approach to developing reflective practice across healthcare organisations

The power behind the chairs

Governors are becoming the lynchpins of greater local accountability

Pulling the plug on PCTs

PCTs’ intellectual property rights will need to be transferred to an appropriate home

Serve up a change that lasts for life

Combined weight therapy and medication is cutting demand for surgery

New duties - are you ready?

Are we prepared for the implications of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 for governors?

Developing an index of conscientiousness

By Boaz Nathanson

This index could help to promote patient safety and trust in the medical profession

Reducing the burden on hospital services

By Hilary Thomas

The coming together of community services and the movement of cash flow is the key

Going digital

The NHS is driving digital in order to improve public services

Putting a price on pathology

Education providers need to update their blood science training courses