Three-way merger to create largest CCG in England – HSJ
Three clinical commissioning groups in Merseyside have announced plans to merge, after NHS England “paved the way” for discussions to start.  Liverpool, South Sefton and Southport and Formby CCGs said formal talks will begin in April, with the aim of joining the organisations from 2018.

NHS reform at scale and pace – Reform
Reform’s key health conference explored the theme of NHS reforms at pace and scale. This brochure contains articles covering themes across the conference: sustainability and transformation plans, workplace health, and better care for less.

Guidance on smoking cessation in secondary care in acute settings: self-assessment tool – Public Health England (PHE) 
This self-assessment framework aims to support NHS acute trusts to develop local plans to reduce smoking prevalence and the use of tobacco. It is based on NICE guidance and covers four key areas: the systems required to implement the guidance, communication required, staff training requirements, and treatments to support staff and service users.

Combined performance summary, January 2017 – NHS England
This statistical release brings together the monthly performance statistics for NHS 111, ambulance quality indicators, A&E attendances and admissions, diagnostic waiting times, referral to treatment waiting times, cancer services waiting times, delayed transfers of care and early intervention in psychosis. The combined statistics reflect the continuing long-term trend of greater volumes of urgent and emergency care and elective activity.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy and sonography workforce supply review – Department of Health (DH)
These reports present a summary of surveys of the ultrasound and endoscopy workforce in England. The reviews aim to inform the commissioning of education, training and resourcing of these sections of the workforce as well as help with short- and long-term workforce planning.

Public health transformation four years on: maximising the use of limited resources – Local Government Association
This compilation of case studies shows how local authorities continue to make progress on improving health and wellbeing and tackling health inequalities since public health was formally transferred from the NHS in April 2013. These case studies aim to show what potential there is for public health, if properly resourced, to make inroads in improving health and wellbeing.

Local and national: how the public wants the NHS to be both – Fabian Society
The research conducted for this report shows that while people may have heard the term ‘devolution’, there is little public understanding of what it entails. It finds that while people believe that local control will improve healthcare and welcome public participation in NHS decisions, they are also deeply committed to the principle that healthcare entitlements and standards should not vary from place to place. It includes analysis of the research findings, and reports on the first experiments in NHS devolution, along with calls from authors for greater public accountability and involvement.

The general practice nursing workforce development plan – NHS Health Education England
This report collates examples of good practice across England. Together with promoting the importance of general practice nursing it provides details of potential workforce issues and provides appropriate recommendations. It looks at four areas: entry into general practice – raising the profile as a first career choice and increasing the availability of training placements for students; establishing the role of the GP Nurse – ensuring appropriate training and support is available for new GPNs; enhancing the role with professional development and career progression; and expanding the healthcare support workforce with standardised training and career paths.

NICE tells NHS staff to treat life-threatening sepsis within the hour –
NHE | NEWS 
Sepsis must be treated by doctors within the hour once a patient is classed as high risk, a new draft standard from NICE has stated today. The recommendation has come to prevent deaths from the condition, which comes about as a result of the body responding to infection by injuring its own tissue and organs. Medical professionals in…