Read the King’s Fund primer on STPs here

How culturally aware are you?
A new e-learning course has been launched by e-Learning for Healthcare NHS Health Education England. The new learning resource, entitled Cultural Competence, aims to support clinicians in the NHS to gain knowledge and understanding of the issues around culture and health; and how this might influence health care outcomes.

NHS terms and conditions of service handbook –  NHS Employers
NHS Employers have launched the terms and conditions of service handbook for Agenda for Change staff in an interactive format which aims to make it easier to find information.

Birmingham and Solihull becomes first footprint to publish STP – NHE
Birmingham and Solihull has become the first footprint in the country to publish its draft sustainability and transformation plan (STP). STPs, which have been heralded as the way forward to ensuring sustainable funding for the NHS and delivering better joined-up services, came under fire recently when it emerged that some footprints are…Birmingham and Solihull Sustainability and Transformation Plan

NHS plan submitted – Council Leader’s statement -Camden Council
The NHS in the north central London area – which represents Camden, Haringey, Islington, Barnet and Enfield – has submitted a draft Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) to NHS England. This has been developed by a host of NHS organisations with the support of officials from the area’s local authorities to propose changes to the way services are delivered, to make them more effective and efficient. Draft STP available here

BMA calls for national prescription drug helpline – BMJ
The UK government should set up a national helpline to support people with prescription drug addiction, the BMA has said. The need for a nationwide telephone advice service is one of three recommendations that have been identified by the BMA, charities, patient groups, and medical bodies as part of a new effort to tackle prescription drug dependence.

Patient activation and why it is relevant to community pharmacy –  Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC)
It is widely recognised that people who feel in control, empowered and confident to take a lead role in their healthcare have better outcomes. This briefing explains the concept of patient activation and examines how it is relevant to community pharmacy services.

What if… obesity reaches 50%?
The Royal College of Surgeons has published an article in its bulletin asking what will happen to the NHS if half of the population is obese. Currently almost 62% of adults are overweight or obese, according to Public Health England data from 2014. This article looks at what the consequences would be, in both primary and secondary care, if the nation’s increasing weight problem should expand to half of the population.

Involving patients and citizens: I statements for research and innovation –  National Voices
This guidance sets a standard for how patients and citizens should be involved in research and innovation. It was developed as part of the Department of Health’s accelerated access review and this guidance aims to provide standards for how patients and the public are involved in research and innovation in medical technologies, diagnostic tools, drugs and digital health care.

Proposed fees for providers consultation
The Care Quality Commission has launched a consultation on Regulatory fees for 2017/18. The consultation is asking people to comment on: changes to the fees scheme for 2017/18 and changing definitions in the fees scheme for substance misuse services and minor injury units and urgent care centres. The consultation closes at noon on 11 January 2017.

HSJ roundup: (contact the library for further details on any of these HSJ articles)

• STP-wide commissioning team to take powers from CCGs
  A new commissioning executive is to be formed to overcome the “significant challenge” of commissioning across a sustainability and transformation plan footprint in the East of England, and will take powers from seven clinical commissioning groups.
• Acute services could merge under Midlands STP
  Acute services at Kettering General Hospital Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital Trust are to be merged as part of sustainability and transformation plans, HSJ can reveal.
• Second ‘full’ STP published as council hits out at process
  The second “full” sustainability and transformation plan has been published, by a London local authority which has criticised the STP process citing concerns over transparency and a lack of focus on adult social care.
• Survey finds few local leaders confident STPs will deliver
  Very few local NHS leaders believe STPs are likely to deliver the intended improvements to finance and performance in the next 18 months, an HSJ survey suggests.
• Survey reveals STPs’ service change priorities
  The types of service changes and structural reform that will dominate sustainability and transformation plans are revealed in HSJ’s survey of senior local NHS decision makers.