Latest news – Page 1925

  • News

    PCTs still only half way to choose and book target

    2007-04-05T09:30:00Z

    Strategic health authorities are planning measures - from a radio campaign to crisis support squads - in an effort to make up lost ground in implementing choose and book.

  • News

    Blow to trust efforts to engage GPs

    2007-04-05T09:22:49Z

    Primary care trusts will not be able to decide how much to pay GPs who sit on professional executive committees.

  • News

    PCTs delayed on audiology contract

    2007-04-05T09:21:11Z

    An audiology contract has been delayed indefinitely because the provider has not been able to sign off quality and safety guarantees with the Department of Health, HSJ has learnt.

  • News

    Man behind the 18-week target returns to front line

    2007-04-05T09:19:37Z

    Duncan Selbie, who piloted the introduction of the 18-week maximum wait target, is to leave the Department of Health before the target is due to be hit.

  • News

    A third of London's PCTs get 'red light' on risk from SHA

    2007-04-05T09:16:26Z

    Almost a third of London's primary care trusts have been classed as high risk because of their financial situation, governance ability and quality performance under NHS London's new monitoring regime.

  • News

    Monitor publishes revised compliance framework

    2007-04-05T00:00:00Z

    Monitor has published a revised version of the compliance framework, following consultation.The updated framework includes amendments to indicators used to derive annual and in-year financial risk ratings; definitions, thresholds and reporting requirements for major investments; and refinement of membership plans to introduce greater focus on progress towards the development of ...

  • News

    Dentists calls for contract overhaul

    2007-04-05T00:00:00Z

    The British Dental Association has demanded an urgent response from the government to the overwhelming consensus that its NHS dentistry reforms are failing.In a letter to chief dental officer for England Barry Cockcroft, BDA general dental practice committee chair Lester Ellman cites the weight of evidence against the new contract ...

  • News

    Audit sets out cancer care improvements

    2007-04-05T00:00:00Z

    The treatment and care of cancer patients could be improved if more were done to improve record keeping, according to a report from the Information Centre for health and social care.The report found that care for one quarter of patients with throat and mouth cancer is not recorded at multi-disciplinary ...

  • News

    Conservatives call for IVF clarification

    2007-04-05T00:00:00Z

    The Conservatives have called on the government to explain when IVF guidance will be implemented.Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: 'Many NHS patients are receiving only one cycle of IVF and this will be difficult for them. Labour need to explain when they will provide three cycles of IVF, as ...

  • News

    Pioneering expert appointed chief scientist of Cancer Research UK

    2007-04-05T00:00:00Z

    Cancer Research UK has appointed leading cancer researcher Professor Sir David Lane as its first chief scientist.Professor Lane discovered the p53 protein, which plays a central role in preventing cancer. He called for a 'global effort' in the fight against cancer.

  • News

    BMA releases business guidance for GPs

    2007-04-04T00:00:00Z

    The British Medical Association GPs committee has published guidance to help GPs take 'tough, business-minded decisions' to minimise the effect of rising expenses on both their practices and patient services.The 20-page document is called Safeguarding patient services, maintaining cost-effectiveness.www.bma.org.uk

  • News

    ONS launches medicines distribution study

    2007-04-04T00:00:00Z

    The Office for National Statistics has launched a market study into the distribution of medicines in the UK.This decision follows recent and proposed distribution changes by leading UK medicine suppliers.Read more here

  • News

    Social enterprise schemes discover funding allocations

    2007-04-04T00:00:00Z

    Social enterprise schemes will today discover their share of £1.4m of national funding, made available by care services minister Ivan Lewis.The 26 schemes from across England will receive Department of Health funding towards start-up costs, plus wider support such as training, to help them lead the way in delivering community ...

  • News

    Government publishes obesity toolkit

    2007-04-04T00:00:00Z

    An obesity toolkit containing practical tips and information has been launched by the Department of Health to help people improve their health.With almost a quarter of the adult population now classified as obese and with the proportion of obese children rising by more than 40 per cent from 1995-2004, the ...

  • News

    No improvement in services, finds survey

    2007-04-04T00:00:00Z

    The National Health Report, a quarterly review of the UK public and patients' opinions on healthcare, has found that 73 per cent of the public does not believe there has been any improvement in NHS services over the last five years.The report, by Health Squared Communications, also examined people's biggest ...

  • News

    Final report for Barrow Legionella outbreak

    2007-04-03T00:00:00Z

    The Health and Safety Executive has published the final report into the Barrow Legionella outbreak.The report calls for adherence to sensible risk management, and will appear on the HSE website.Find out more here

  • News

    Selbie seconded to acute trust

    2007-04-03T00:00:00Z

    Duncan Selbie, director general for commissioning at the Department for Health, will go on secondment this summer as chief executive of an acute trust.The DoH will announce plans to fill the director general commissioning post at a later date.

  • News

    New guidance on youth-friendly services

    2007-04-03T00:00:00Z

    Guidance from the Department for Health has set out principles designed to help health services become young people friendly.The You're Welcome criteria covers areas to be considered by commissioners and providers of health services.Read the guidelines here

  • News

    Healthcare Commission praises pathology departments

    2007-04-03T00:00:00Z

    A Healthcare Commission review has praised pathology departments for quick processing of tests and longer opening hours.But the review also urges departments to consider consistency of services and value for money.Read the review here

  • News

    Increased choice for maternity care

    2007-04-03T00:00:00Z

    Health secretary Patricia Hewitt has announced that by the end of 2009 all women will have a choice of maternity care, including the choice of a home birth. She made the pledge in the new Department of Health document Maternity Matters: choice, access and continuity of care in a safe ...