Survey of health managers on the future of the NHS –
Institute of Healthcare Management (IHM) 

This survey of IHM members reveals that over half (53.7%) of health and social care managers signalled doubt that greater integration of health and social care will take the pressure off the NHS. Other key concerns and issues included uncertainty on whether their organisations could deliver safe and compassionate care; an appetite for greater collaboration between the public and private sector; and increasing financial pressure inspiring greater innovation.

Doctors urged to opt out of working week directive – HSJ Article

The Department of Health has pledged to find ways to help more doctors opt out of the European working time directive, which the authority admits has led to rigid shift patterns and had a detrimental effect on training.

Government welcomes taskforce recommendations on the impact of Working Time Directive on the NHS – NHS Employers

The Government has today welcomed the recommendations of an independent taskforce, which included NHS Employers, on the impact of the Working Time Directive on the NHS.

Online tool takes the headache out of sick leave – NHS Employers

The NHS Employers organisation today (22 July) launched a new online tool to further improve the management of staff sick leave in the NHS.

Atlas shows variations in NHS purchasing – Department of Health 

The new online NHS Procurement Atlas of Variation will help hospitals to compare prices and identify where they need to drive down costs so they can invest in more doctors and nurses to care for patients, as well as in frontline care.

Sir Bruce’s pledge on 7-day services – NHS England

Sir Bruce Keogh will today present an update on NHS England’s 7-Day Service programme. Speaking at an NHS Improving Quality Event, “Delivering Services, Seven Days A Week”, NHS England’s national clinical director will tell delegates: “These are early days but we are stepping up to the challenge. “We want you to be local champions, explaining to the rest of the health and social care system how to set about this transformation, and supporting communities to change.” Sir Bruce will highlight how important the 7-Day Services programme is, describing it as being a priority and “treated with the utmost seriousness by NHS England.”

NHS National Tariff Payment System 2015/16: engagement documents

Monitor and NHS England have issued a suite of engagement documents describing proposed policy changes to the 2015/16 National Tariff Payment System. The proposed changes are designed to help maintain financial discipline while promoting quality high-quality care for patients.  Monitor and NHS England are interested in hearing views on: the approach to setting prices for 2015/16; the impact of the proposed changes to the National Tariff; the proposals for local payment arrangements; and the approach to enforcing the National Tariff.  Healthcare providers and commissioners are encouraged to respond to these proposals in order to influence the final national tariff which will be published later in the year.

Developing good governance within CCGs

NHS England is working with the Good Governance Institute to support CCGs on developing good governance arrangements, which their member practices and local community have confidence in.  As part of this work, NHS England has published a blog which encourages Clinical Commissioning Groups to give their views on what good governance looks like. The blog invites key stakeholders including CCGs, clinicians, non-executive directors and managers, to get involved in testing different tools to support CCGs in this area, or complete a survey at to inform the work, or contribute to the on-going LinkedIn discussions around governance.

Friends and Family Test to expand

NHS England is to widen the remit of the family and friends test to take in all NHS services. The roll out of the friends and family test will mean every patient will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the services they have received, enabling the public to make better informed choices about the services they use.  It also means providers will be able to design care services based on the feedback and around the needs of patients.

Community nursing support for carers

The Department of Health has published Community nursing programme: professional pathway for community nurses. The document provides information for district and general practice nurses, other health professionals and commissioners and providers about how community nursing can be used to support adult carers. This guidance should be read in conjunction with Care in Local Communities: a new vision and model for district nursing.

NICE consultations
CG105 Motor neurone disease: surveillance review proposal. Closing date for comment 25 July 2014
Antenatal and postnatal mental health (update): guideline consultation. Closing date for comment 27 August 2014
Maternal and child nutrition: review proposal consultation. Closing date for comment 31 July 2014
Preventing type 2 diabetes – population and community-level interventions: review proposal consultation. Closing date for comment 1 August 2014

Bulletins

GP and Practice Team bulletin – June 2014
Bulletin for CCGs – issue 63, 17 July 2014

Health Statistics
A&E Attendances and Emergency Admissions Quarterly Report – 2014/15 Quarter 1
Healthy Life Expectancy at birth for Upper Tier Local Authorities: England – 2010-12