Norfolk records major drop in bed blocking
There were up to 75 per cent fewer patients waiting for discharge on any one day across Norfolk this winter, following the introduction of a “capacity plan” to reduce bed blocking across the county.
SHAs pressurising PCTs into vertical integration
Primary care trusts in at least four regions are under pressure from their strategic health authorities to vertically integrate their provider arms with acute or mental health trusts, HSJ has learned.
DH advocacy of integration ‘not credible’
The Department of Health is rarely a “credible advocate” for the integration of health and social care services because its policies are often contradictory, say senior NHS managers with dual local authority roles.
NHS Manchester tables complex community restructuring plan
Community services in Manchester look set to be split up and integrated among a wide range of providers under a complex set of proposals.
Out of hours GP contracts need greater transparency
A network of small out of hours providers has criticised primary care trusts for “trading off” contracts to other providers without retendering.
PCT provider plan deadline stands
The Department of Health will not extend the deadline for primary care trusts to finalise plans for their provider arms.
Excluding independent sector from NHS services 'potentially unlawful'
Excluding the independent sector from bidding to provide NHS services is “unacceptable and potentially unlawful”, the NHS Confederation Partners Network has said.
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.
Marmot might be fair, but will it be feasible?
The Marmot report, probably the most important document on health inequalities for 30 years, was published last month. But can its recommendations become reality? Steve Ford reports
Hertfordshire PCTs merge into one
Hertfordshire will have one primary care trust from next month, following approval from the health secretary to merge the county’s two PCTs.
Community care plans could lead to a new generation of NHS organisations
Plans underway for community services look set to lead to a new generation of NHS organisations.
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.
Acute trusts could pay for post discharge care
The Conservatives would give acute trusts financial responsibility for home care following discharge as a way of incentivising the prevention of emergency readmissions.
Hull social enterprise plan back on track
A legal challenge preventing the transfer of community services to a social enterprise has been dropped.
Bucks PCT set for vertical integration
The provider arm of NHS Buckinghamshire is set to vertically integrate with Buckinghamshire Hospitals Trust.
NHS 'must move care into community'
The government has said the NHS must do more to bring care and services into people’s homes if it is to improve performance and save money.
Blackburn care trust plus given go ahead
The Department of Health has approved plans for NHS Blackburn with Darwen to become a care trust plus.
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.
Community proposals may prompt 'musical chairs' timewasting
The NHS risks wasting two years on the “sport of restructuring” instead of improving efficiency, senior figures have warned.
More on Community Services
Jenny Owen on a new solution to health and social care funding
A solution to social care funding must be agreed to get the most benefit from joint working
Noel Plumridge on the rules of payment by results
A rules-based system. That was the aspiration in 2004 when payment by results was introduced to England’s NHS.
Mark Britnell on the future of Agenda for Change
Agenda for Change does not need to be scrapped and renegotiated - just applied properly
Transforming community services for people with long term conditions
Community healthcare is widening the focus from just a patient’s condition to their whole life, says Stuart Shepherd
Transforming community services: handover heralds a flexible future
Transferring community services to a foundation trust allows one PCT to focus on choice, say Jamie Foster and Jane Gateley
Total Place: how partnerships can maximise resources
In the final part in our series on Total Place, Helen Mooney looks at how Birmingham’s Total Place pilot is focused on cutting through organisational boundaries and slashing waste while delivering better services
