All Primary care articles – Page 240
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News
PCTs dub assurance test tough but useful
Primary care trusts that tried a new test of commissioning abilities say the process was hard but helpful.
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News
GPs in poorer areas 'prescribe fewer drugs'
GPs in poorer areas prescribe fewer drugs and spend less on them than GPs in richer areas, research by Suffolk primary care trust has found.
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News
Jon Restell on valuing all frontline staff
I have had the people who work in general practice on my mind recently. At this time of especially heightened clinical engagement, it is easier than ever to forget that good healthcare is delivered by teams.
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News
Huge variation in GP practice pay regardless of size of list
Figures obtained by HSJ reveal the extent to which the national GP contract has driven inequity across the country, with huge variations in payments to practices, regardless of the number and need of their patients.
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Comment
Care as a career: raising the public perception
The public's view of caring as a profession is often negative, but this can be changed by bringing people closer to the realities of this work at its best, argues Helen Joy
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HSJ Knowledge
Are PCTs redundant?
The Thatcher government introduced the purchaser-provider divide in 1991. Ever since governments have been rebranding and “redisorganising” the structures of what are now primary care trusts. However these reforms of structure have had little impact on process and outcome. PCTs are viewed as largely feeble organisations that facilitate the continuing ...
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HSJ Knowledge
Using the Commissioning Simulator to guide confident and innovative commissioning
With the recent launch of the Department of Health’s world class commissioning agenda, there is increased pressure on primary care trusts to manage their budgets effectively while at the same time improving public health and patient satisfaction.However, many PCT staff have not had specific training in commissioning, and sometimes little ...
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HSJ Knowledge
After the smoking ban: early conclusions
Early conclusions about the impact of the smoking ban since its introduction in England in July 2007 can be drawn from an Information Centre report into NHS stop-smoking services.
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HSJ Knowledge
Obesity drugs: a growing issue?
More than 1 million NHS prescription items were dispensed to treat obesity in England in 2006 - eight times the number dispensed in 1999 - according to a compendium of statistics on obesity, physical activity and diet published by the Information Centre for health and social care.
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HSJ Knowledge
Can fluoridation help the poorest?
The health secretary's promise of £14m a year over the next three years for water fluoridation schemes has reignited the debate. Strategic health authorities and primary care trusts must persuade local communities to agree to it, but opponents protest that fluoridation is mass medication to benefit the few and point ...
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News
PCTs may call for foundation style freedoms
Primary care trusts could push for freedom to determine senior managers' pay as a reward for becoming world class commissioners.
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News
NHS London focuses on Brent financial crisis
A report into the financial crisis at Brent primary care trust has highlighted 'grave failings' in leadership.
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News
London's neediest areas are worst off
London primary care trusts facing the biggest health challenges are saddled with the greatest funding shortfalls, a new coalition of private and voluntary organisations has warned.
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News
DH admits target on health inequalities is hard to meet
The Department of Health has admitted that it will be 'difficult' to meet its target to reduce health inequalities.
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HSJ Knowledge
QRISK
Framinghamis a town inMassachusetts, not far fromBoston. It’s predominantly white and middle class. It provided a refuge for families persecuted in theSalemwitches trials and it’s where the Battle Hymn of the Republic was first sung.So what’s it got to do with how much English primary care trusts spend on statins?The ...
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Comment
Raj Persaud on getting blood out of a stone
Management is all too often about persuasion; powerful managers are better at persuading those in the workplace to pursue helpful change, while less competent managers are not so effective at overcoming resistance.
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HSJ Knowledge
Médecins Sans Frontières?
There are conflicting approaches to providing NHS care to those not entitled to it, and the charity Médecins du Monde is at the front line of the battle. Mark Gould reports
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HSJ Knowledge
NHS continuing care: a new batch of claims?
Compensation claims from patients who were denied continuing healthcare on the NHS are beginning to hit finance directors' desks. David Lock explains how to respond to them
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News
PCTs may be subject to people power
Primary care trusts and other healthcare providers could face increased pressure to respond to local people's concerns under a new 'community empowerment' white paper.
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News
GPs urge PCTs to remain flexible
Primary care trusts will have to negotiate with family doctors over how to implement extended hours locally after the overwhelming majority of GPs voted to accept the government’s proposed deal.