First region targets 2030 for net zero carbon
A sustainability and transformation partnership has agreed an “incredibly challenging” ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030 ahead of declaring a “climate emergency”.
Distance not always factor in ambulance response times
There is significant variation in ambulance response times to patients with serious conditions such as suspected strokes or heart attacks, which is not fully explained by how rural an area is, an HSJ analysis has revealed.
CCG chief to hold senior council role
A clinical commissioning group is merging its chief officer role with a senior local authority position in a bid to move closer to integrated health and social care services.
‘Concern’ over Cornish patients’ long journeys for cardiology treatment
A commissioner’s elective lead has raised concerns about the distance cardiology patients face travelling for treatment.
Two STPs launch joint acute services review
Two health economies will team up to reconfigure acute services which could result in shared services, separation of urgent and elective work, and staff sharing schemes.
Revealed: The new CCG ratings
Sixty-three clinical commissioning groups have seen their overall performance ratings change over the past year, according to NHS England’s latest assessment framework.
Leadership Q&A: Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Integrated Heath and Care System
The board of Cornwall Partnership Foundation Trust explain how the role of independent chair will lead the Integrated Care System Leadership Group and help shape the vision of transforming health and social care across Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Trusts use apprenticeship levy to retain student nurses
Nursing students will have their course fees paid for government funding in exchange for committing to work for two remote NHS trusts.
Coroner report sparks concern over lack of ADHD services
Experts have warned commissioners are being “short-sighted” in their lack of support for adults with ADHD, with many areas failing to provide a diagnosis service.
New fines for leaving patients waiting more than a year
NHS providers and commissioners will both face fines for each patient waiting more than a year for treatment, according to new plans.
Commissioners investigate variations in dementia diagnosis
Variation in dementia diagnosis rates across England has fallen, but a senior GP has told HSJ such targets risked being too “simplistic” and the focus should shift to ensuring patients are supported post-diagnosis.
Revealed: One in 10 CCGs flout key NHS spending pledge
One in 10 clinical commissioning groups have cut their mental health spending according to new figures from NHS England, more than double the previous year.
'Inadequate' CCG's controversial transport contract fails to attract bidders
Commissioners are reviewing a failed procurement after a tender for a county wide patient transport service – which was amended after an outcry from patients – did not attract any bidders.
Mapped: STP commissioning ratings
HSJ has produced commissioning ratings for every “sustainability and transformation partnership” in England, based on the new assessments of clinical commissioning groups published by NHS England.
'System approach' helps trust boost A&E performance by 40 percentage points
Extra beds, more staff at night, and twice-daily meetings with health economy chiefs are among the factors that caused an “inadequate” trust’s A&E performance to rocket by nearly 40 percentage points in two months.
New ward to eliminate mental health trust out of area placements
A mental health trust in a rural location has opened 15 rehabilitation beds to implement a “unique” model of care which it says will eliminate the need for inappropriate out of n area placements.
CCG backs down over patient transport funding cuts
Kidney patients in Cornwall relying on dialysis treatment will continue to receive NHS funded transport to hospital after commissioners reversed a decision to make them pay.
One in 10 CCGs missing spending target 'not good enough'
More than one in 10 clinical commissioning groups were forecasting they would miss the national mental health spending mandate for 2017-18, latest NHS England data shows.
Exclusive: The 23 CCGs predicting a cut in mental health spending
The proportion of clinical commissioning groups whose mental health spending will fall in cash terms is predicted to double this year to one in 10, HSJ can reveal.
CCG plays down council's rejection of ACS
The council’s decision to reject plans for an accountable care system will not affect Cornwall’s progress towards integrated health and social care, the chair of Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group has said.