NHS South Central
Trust's bid to run disability services 200 miles away damaged risk rating
An NHS learning disability trust’s unsuccessful bid to take over the running of a similar service nearly 200 miles away led to its financial risk rating with Monitor deteriorating.
Major reconfiguration plans emerging across England
Details on a wave of reconfigurations are emerging as regions follow London’s example by concentrating services into a smaller number of specialist units.
Managers urged to support nurses in drive to make savings safely
Managers are urged to support their nurses in a national programme intended to give the profession a major say in improving quality of care while at the same time improving efficiency – so that safety is not compromised.
Clusters to be given single operating model under DH plans
The Department of Health is set to impose a single operating model on primary care trust clusters in order to maintain a grip on NHS finances, HSJ can reveal.
Exclusive: government admits PFI deals mean 22 trusts will struggle to meet foundation status target
The Department of Health has named 22 hospitals with private finance deals that are “an obstacle to them achieving FT status by April 2014”.
PCTs agree to consult on children's congenital heart services
A joint committee of primary care trusts has given the go-ahead for a consultation on plans for greater centralisation of paediatric cardiac care.
Health authority's fluoride plan was lawful
A health authority’s plans for the fluoridation of Southampton’s tap water were not unlawful, the High Court has ruled.
South Central unveils PCT cluster plan
Nine primary care trusts in the south central region are to be amalgamated into three clusters, their strategic health authority has announced.
PCT restricts doctors from making 'expensive, non-urgent referrals' to London providers
A primary care trust has told clinicians it must approve any referrals to London trusts because of the extra expense involved.
Management posts shed without full consultation
Warnings are being issued about the lack of consultation over job cuts as posts are shed in an accelerated bid to meet the Department of Health’s 46 per cent management savings target.
SHA failing on stroke care
South Central is the only strategic health authority in England to have failed to improve stroke care.
SHAs in the dark on redundancy plans
Two strategic health authorities have admitted they have no idea how many employees are at risk of redundancy in their regions and are playing a minimal role in helping staff find new jobs.
White paper leads to shake up in top posts at SHAs
UPDATED: Department of Health announces managers who will lead the transition implementing the white paper.
Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trusts paediatric cardiac surgery unit to remain closed
The paediatric cardiac surgery unit at Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust should remain closed, according to a report published last week.
SHA report calls for unit to remain closed after paediatric deaths
A report has called for the smallest paediatric cardiac surgery unit in the country to remain closed.
Don’t sideline sexual health, warn clinicians
Leading figures in sexual health have called on health secretary Andrew Lansley not to ignore the sector.
Trust praised for career programme
A scheme helping NHS support staff work towards professional qualifications has been recognised at an awards ceremony.
IT upgrade gains DH data security confidence
The Department of Health has given the green light to an IT upgrade delayed by concerns about allowing a US contractor to access UK health records.
NHS South Central defends decision to fluoridate water supplies
NHS South Central has defended its decision to fluoridate the local water supply after opponents seized on the government’s invitation to nominate laws they would like to see axed.
Data security fears hold up trusts' IT upgrades
Concern over the security of patient data stored outside of the UK has left IT upgrades at seven trusts in limbo since February, HSJ has learned.
How international health links help improve family planning services
Establishing partnerships with healthcare groups around the world can benefit both the organisations in developing countries and the health service staff placed there, as Chris Smith and Rebecca Hill explain.
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.
Changing NHS end of life care for the better
Most people say they would prefer to die at home but many do not as end of life care has traditionally been neglected. But it looks as if things are finally starting to change
GP phone-line jams create more hospital admissions
Few things are more frustrating than an automated message saying your phone call is in a queue and will be answered shortly -or just getting the engaged tone. When you are ill, it can be rather more than just one of life’s little irritations, writes Kaye McIntosh.
