All Commissioning articles – Page 249
-
News
NHS inequalities row is shrouded in secrecy
The question of whether poor urban areas should continue to get the most funding is about fundamental NHS principles - so why is it being discussed behind closed doors? Sally Gainsbury reports
-
News
Liberal Democrats voice support for top ups
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has called for patients to be allowed to pay for extra treatment without losing the right to free NHS care.
-
News
London Health Commission appoints chairman
Councillor Mary O'Connor has been appointed chairman of the London Health Commission.
-
News
DH figures show slight rise in diagnostic waits
The Department of Health has published waiting times for 15 key diagnostic tests to the end of July.The figures show a slight increase in long-term waiters compared with the previous month.
-
News
King's Fund reports variations in disease spend
A King's Fund report claims to reveal widespread variations in how much primary care trusts spend on treating different diseases, even after differing needs are taken into account.Spending varies 2.9 fold on mental health, 2.5 fold on cancer and 2.2 fold on circulatory diseases, according to Local Variations in Priorities: ...
-
HSJ Knowledge
Benchmarking out of hours healthcare
Huge variations in the cost and quality of out of hours healthcare around the country have led to moves to benchmark these services. Kaye McIntosh reports
-
Comment
Julia Tybura on visualising world class commissioning
Watching the Olympic women's weightlifting - yes, I should get out more - I was struck by the sheer focus of a Chinese woman who won gold.
-
HSJ Knowledge
Mental health foundation trusts: F marks the spot
Just under half of mental health trusts have achieved foundation status. Helen Mooney looks at the options for those that may not be able to make the grade
-
News
Drug addiction services hit by unrealistic targets
Unrealistic targets to get more drug addicts into treatment are causing the quality of services to plummet, psychiatrists are warning.
-
News
Top-up payment review highlights NHS bodies' worries
Responses to the review of co-payments have revealed the extent of uncertainty about the way forward for the NHS on top-ups.
-
News
Top-ups: experts divided over health's thorniest issue
Should patients be allowed to top up their care by paying privately for drugs? The question has confounded experts and now the government has an unenviable task in making a final decision. Helen Crump reports
-
News
PCTs press for south London hospitals shake-up
Primary care trusts have warned that delaying the proposed reconfiguration of hospitals in south east London could push services to breaking point.
-
News
Lansley boosts councils' role in public health
Public health directors would have to report to local authorities under plans announced by the shadow health secretary last week.Andrew Lansley told an audience at the think tank Reform that the Conservatives now envisaged councils having an even greater role in improving public health.Outlining conclusions from the party's consultation on ...
-
Comment
Paul Jennings on the commissioner-provider split
It is just over two years since we began separating the commissioning and provider arms in Walsall teaching primary care trust.
-
News
Surrey is first to agree its integrated care proposals
The first primary care trust to unveil its plans for an integrated care pilot has warned that commissioners will have to overcome existing 'anomalies' to make the initiative work.
-
News
Probe calls for tariff for fertility services
A Department of Health group probing inequalities in IVF provision is demanding a national tariff for fertility services.
-
HSJ Knowledge
Measure the mix of interventions
All primary care trusts must become world class by commissioning services that 'add life to years and years to life' and specifying the outcomes to be delivered.
-
HSJ Knowledge
Super patients should use their powers wisely
The government is set to empower patients with personal budgets for care, but clear rules must guarantee choices are well informed and cost-effective, say Anna Dixon and Rebecca Ashton
-
Comment
David Lee on integrating care
Two recent phone calls from different parts of the country got me thinking about what good management can do to make mental health and social care systems tick.
-
News
East of England bolsters IVF provision
Primary care trusts in the East of England have agreed a new fertility policy that will raise and standardise the number of IVF treatment cycles offered.