NHS Competition
DH unveils plans for increased competition in diagnostics and mental health
The Department of Health has unveiled its strategy for extending competition from any qualified provider to new areas of NHS care, including mental health and diagnostic tests.
Franchise deal could deter NHS bidder from hospital partnership
An NHS contender to partner with George Eliot Hospital Trust has said it may have to withdraw its bid, following signals that the trust might opt for a Hinchingbrooke-style franchise deal.
NHS data skewed by efforts to protect trust finances
The “disproportionate” financial implications of changes to the way the NHS classifies patients have led it to maintain “inaccurate recording and inaccurate payments”, the Audit Commission has reported.
Exclusive: OFT to rule on foundation trust merger
The first ever merger between two foundation trusts is to be scrutinised for its impact on competition by the Office of Fair Trading, HSJ has learned.
Private healthcare market referred to Competition Commission
The Office of Fair Trading yesterday confirmed that it would refer the private healthcare market for in-depth investigation by the Competition Commission.
Market competition test proposed for trusts seeking extra funding
Monitor might refuse to allow local increases to the prices paid to NHS trusts unless commissioners have proven they could not buy the services more cheaply elsewhere, an independent report for the regulator has suggested.
Competition panel to advise on CCG conflict of interest regulation
Providers are likely to have to complain to the NHS Commissioning Board before approaching Monitor with concerns about clinical commissioning groups’ conflicts of interest, HSJ has been told.
Probe into Nottingham University Hospitals dialysis deal
The NHS competition watchdog is investigating the trust’s award of two dialysis contracts, after a bidder accused it of a “blatant attempt to retain the incumbent provider”.
Acute sector faces wave of mergers and reconfigurations
The English NHS hospital sector is facing a wave of mergers, acquisitions and reconfigurations, HSJ’s extensive survey of trust chief executives has revealed.
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.
York FT must change gatekeeping role, says competition panel
The competition regulator has ruled against a deal between a primary care trust and a hospital which saw the latter refer some patients who it went on to treat itself.
Ministers seek 'further advice' on conflict of interest in commissioning
Ministers have asked the Co-operation and Competition Panel for advice on how commissioners handle conflicts of interest, following a test case.
£1.1bn Barts merger gets Lansley sign-off
The health secretary has approved the merger of three London hospital trusts to create an organisation with an estimated turnover of £1.1bn.
Health reforms clear latest Lords hurdle
The government’s controversial NHS reforms cleared another major hurdle in the House of Lords on Tuesday night.
Rebel Lib Dem reforms revolt defeated
The government has seen off a rebel Liberal Democrat bid to halt the controversial health reforms.
AQP staff to receive NHS pension under Treasury proposal
The government is considering extending the NHS pension to private firms doing health service work under the “any qualified provider” scheme, even where staff have not been formally transferred from the health service.
Two weeks to 'save the NHS', warns union
The public has just 13 days to halt the government’s controversial health reforms and save the NHS from falling into the hands of private companies, a union leader has warned.
Exclusive: public split over use of private firms in NHS as Labour doubles poll lead on health
The English people are split down the middle on the use of private companies to provide NHS services, according to exclusive polling data compiled for HSJ.
Lords win tweaks to Health Bill on competition
The government looks set to accept a series of further changes to its Health Bill in the face of persisting political and professional concern.
Government told NHS needs competition
The government must push for greater competition in providing services, a thinktank has demanded.
NHS Competition Resources
Guidance on producing an any qualified provider implementation pack
The chance to produce an AQP implementation pack offered potent insights into how the service area should develop. Sheena Hennell explains how one PCT cluster went about their project.
The legal implications of EU procurement law for the NHS
David Lock QC looks at the legal lessons for NHS commissioners procuring services.
How EU procurement directives could impact health service commissioning
Procurement proposals put forward by the EU could have significant implications for health service commissioners if they are passed, as Irfan Ullah and Jessica Kohler explain.
Why reconfiguration remains a difficult balance between commissioners and providers
The judicial process that saw a public consultation on children’s congenital heart services quashed following the Royal Brompton and Harefield Foundation Trust’s legal challenge has lessons for future NHS consultations, says David Mason.
Gulf in class: how Qatar is driving excellence by investing in academic research
Standing out among countries in the Middle East, Qatar is investing in an academic health research partnership on the US health science centre model. Simon Lewis reports.
Trust me, I'm a leader: creating a climate for higher performance
Managers will need to build a culture of mutual ownership and trust, rather than leading from the front, to affect the breadth of change to combat the cold economic front sweeping across the NHS, say John Drew and Helen Bevan.
