Observational Evidence and Strength of Evidence Domains: Case Examples – Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Systematic reviews of health care interventions most often focus on randomized controlled trials. However, certain circumstances warrant consideration of observational evidence, and such studies are increasingly being included as evidence in systematic reviews. This White Paper presents case examples of systematic reviews in which observational evidence was considered as well as case examples of individual observational studies and how they demonstrate various strength of evidence domains. The cases highlighted in this paper demonstrate how observational studies may provide moderate- to (rarely) high-strength evidence in systematic reviews.

Mobile app puts ‘doctor in your pocket’ – eHealth Insider

A mobile app lets users see their GP through video consultations and order prescriptions on their smartphone or tablet. Speaking at Wired Health, part of EHI’s Digital Health Festival, Ali Parsa, the creator of the ‘Babylon’ app, said he wants to provide people with a “doctor in your pocket”, and give patients access to GPs and specialist nurses six days a week.

Measuring what really matters: Towards a coherent measurement system to support person-centred care – The Health Foundation

This Health Foundationpaper describes the principles of person-centred care and the activities that a person-centred system should undertake in different contexts. It goes on to discuss how to think about constructing measurement systems for use in each of these contexts. The paper also describes the core constituents of person-centredness to demonstrate the steps that could be followed in order to develop a coherent measurement system.

2015 Challenge Declaration – NHS Confederation

Analysis of the challenges that must be faced by the NHS at the 2015 general election and beyond. It is a statement we hope the political parties will acknowledge and use as a framework against which they finalise manifesto and subsequent policy proposals. Identifies change must be both local and national. Public and staff concerns about change must be addressed by building confidence in the future, rooted in clear accountability and responsibility.

The NHS was not a major issue during the 2010 election, so what should we expect in 2015? – King’s Fund Blog

The government’s record on the NHS will be at the heart of the election debate. The good news for the coalition is that the unprecedented slowdown in NHS funding since 2010 has not yet had a serious, adverse impact on patient care. Yesterday we published  the health questions from NatCen’s British Social Attitudes Survey 2013, which show that public satisfaction with the NHS remains high. The bad news is that a significant amount of  capital was expended on the reforms enshrined in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, at a time when the last thing the NHS needed was a destabilising, top-down reorganisation.

Policy paper: NHS e-procurement strategy

This document provides details of actions to improve NHS data and information as part of the NHS Procurement Development Programme, which aims to help the NHS save £1.5 billion by the financial year 2015 to 2016.

The actions are to:

• define standards to ensure NHS e-procurement systems work together
• require the adoption of standards by the NHS (GS1 coding and PEPPOL messaging standards)
• invest in technology solutions that will support e-procurement implementation by the NHS
• establish a single NHS spend analysis and price benchmarking service

The document also sets out how e-procurement can better support the NHS procurement processes that manage transactions and pricing with suppliers.

A guide to special measures – Care Quality Commission (CQC) 

This guide, developed jointly by CQC, Monitor and NHS Trust Development Authority, describes how the special measures programme works for NHS trusts and foundation trusts. It explains: why trusts are placed in special measures; what will happen to trusts during special measures; the roles and responsibilities of key organisations involved; and when and how trusts will exit special measures.

• Guide
• CQC – news

Health Education England business plan

Health Education England has published its 2014-15 business plan. Their second plan sets out how Health Education England will: improve quality for patients through using their five key business functions to deliver statutory and Mandate responsibilities; start to deliver strategic ambitions so that they can deliver transformed services based upon anticipated future patients’ needs; and focus attention on a small number of priorities that are critical to current and future success.

UK National Screening Committee: pulse oximetry / dental disease / coeliac disease

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) has recommended the implementation of a pilot scheme for pulse oximetry testing in England. Pulse oximetry is a simple test where a clip placed on a baby’s fingers and toes measures the amount of oxygen in their blood. Its use can help the NHS find many more babies with serious heart disease so they can be treated to prevent deaths and long term disability. The committee wants to use the pilot to better understand the implications of using the test on services for newborn babies. The UK NSC has recommended against national screening for both dental disease and coeliac disease at the current time.

TLAP’s Care and Support Jargon Buster goes online

Think Local Act Personal has produced an online Care and Support Jargon Buster which is free to use and share. Our intention is that the resource will be widely accessible to help people make sense of jargon words and phrases surrounding social care.

Consultation outcome: Indemnity or insurance for regulated healthcare professionals – HM Government

Updated: Response to the consultation on insurance for registered healthcare professionals. The government wants to hear views on legislation that would mean all regulated healthcare professionals have to hold indemnity or insurance to practise. The vast majority of healthcare professionals are already covered by their employer’s arrangements, however this legislation would ensure that patients are protected by law if things don’t go according to plan. If a patient suffers harm as a result of negligence, they will be able to seek compensation.