All Government/DH policy articles – Page 128
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NewsPrivate providers demand end to DH 'bureaucracy'
Private healthcare providers are calling for a review of the recent transfer of their Department of Health contracts to primary care trusts, saying the negotiations were an “enormous waste” of time and money.
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NewsBMA to launch campaign calling for withdrawal of Health Bill
The British Medical Association’s ruling council today voted to begin a public campaign for the withdrawal of the Health Bill.
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NewsGovernment green lights first provider competition plans
Patients will be given a choice of providers for mental health and community NHS services, the government has announced.
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NewsGovernment launches provider choice for community and mental health services
Commissioners have been told to offer a choice of “any qualified provider” for some community and mental health services from next year. It is part of government plans which amount to a slowing down of the extension of choice in the NHS.
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NewsNew talks to begin on NHS pension contributions
Health service unions are to enter into discussions with Department of Health officials on increasing public sector pension contributions, ministers have announced today.
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NewsGovernment launches new COPD strategy
Plans have been announced to transform the lives of millions of people with respiratory diseases.
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News'Refrain' from most Microsoft purchases, requests government
The Cabinet Office has “requested” that NHS chief information officers obtain central clearance before buying Microsoft products until a national procurement contract is signed with the company.
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CommentHow to lead NHS transformation
The discussion in GP land continues to rage between those who oppose the reforms, and those who support them.
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NewsPublic health directors 'expected' to report directly to council chief execs, says DH
The government has confirmed that it “expects” directors of public health to be directly accountable to council chief executives when public health functions transfer to local authorities.
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CommentHealthWatch: local scrutiny and national tension
Although the listening exercise was meant to encompass every aspect of the proposed changes to the NHS, an important part of the reforms has been slipping under everyone’s radar - HealthWatch.
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NewsPatients paying premium for surgery calls, say MPs
MPs have raised concerns that patients are facing “additional charges” to call GP surgeries, despite the practice being banned by the government.
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HSJ KnowledgeThe difficulties reform poses for improving quality in the NHS - an HSJ round table
A recent survey and online panel discussion held by HSJ in conjunction with CQI revealed the uncertainties leaders are facing over quality, says Jennifer Taylor.
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NewsNicholson urges MPs to end obsession with bed numbers
NHS chief executive Sir David Nicholson has challenged politicians to accept that health service modernisation will mean reducing the number of hospital beds.
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NewsExclusive: Lansley says hospitals exempt from 'over-managed' claim
Andrew Lansley has used an exclusive HSJ interview to exempt the acute sector from his criticism that the NHS is over-managed.
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NewsField: clinical senates a 'hand grenade' to GP consultant relations
Clinical senates were designed to act as a “hand grenade” to remove barriers preventing GPs and hospital doctors talking, not “another level of bureaucracy”, Professor Steve Field has said.
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HSJ KnowledgeIs public health the most at risk from reform?
While the government paused, debate was very much in action. One key discussion at doctors.net.uk has raised serious concerns that public health could be at risk from reform when responsibility for public health campaigns falls to those ill-equipped to handle it.
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CommentPower to the patients: promised improvements to patient choice need backing up
A change in what “choice” represents in policy has great potential for patients. Now that change needs to be backed with a firm will to implement it, writes Health Foundation chief executive Stephen Thornton.
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NewsGovernment technology strategy 'lacking detail' to measure progress
The government’s plan to root out waste and failure in official IT projects is too vague for MPs to be able to assess whether it is achieving its objectives, a report from Westminster’s spending watchdog warned today.
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NewsRetailers' public health pledges praised by Lansley
Health secretary Andrew Lansley has praised food and drink manufacturers and retailers in backing the government’s Responsibility Deal to improve public fitness and well-being.
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HSJ KnowledgeWhy patient safety should remain the priority in healthcare
Responsibility for the safety of patients is a cornerstone of healthcare. Alison Moore looks at how changes to the NHS will affect its approach to this fundamental commitment.