Integrating care: systematic review

The National Institute for Health Research has published Ways of integrating care that better coordinate services may benefit patients.  This systematic review, part of the NIHR Signal series, looks at international literature to understand how new care models may affect patients, providers and systems.    It includes a qualitative review of attitudes, barriers and enablers of integration and finds new integrated care models can increase patient satisfaction, perceived quality of care and improve access to services.  It is less clear whether there may be effects on hospital admissions, appointments or healthcare costs.

Recent trends in mortality

Public Health England has published A review of recent trends in mortality in England.  This report summarises the findings from a review of trends in life expectancy and mortality in England.  It provides detail on specific population groups and specific causes of death, as well as insight into possible explanations for the trends observed.

Department of Health and Social Care announcements

The following announcements have been made by the Department of Health and Social Care:

• Health and Social Care Secretary bans fax machines in the NHS
• Matt Hancock orders review into prescribing in the NHS
• £1 billion of funding to upgrade NHS services in England

Making NHS data work for everyone

Reform has published Making NHS data work for everyone. This report highlights the different elements that should be considered when the public and private sector partner to build a product or service based on data.  It looks at the challenges the NHS might face given the types of partnership that are developing on the ground and recommends a strategic national approach to resolve some of these issues.

Commissioning GP IT services

NHS England has published 2018 CCG GPIT Digital Maturity Assurance Questionnaire.  As part of the GP IT Operating Framework, a set of digital maturity assessment criteria have been developed to give a clear indication of digital maturity across general practices in England.  This will provide CCGs with insight to support the effective commissioning of GP IT services, local investment decisions and also the development of Local Digital Roadmaps.

Cold weather health warnings

NHS England has announced a level 2 cold weather warning issued by the Met Office.  There is a 70 per cent probability of severe cold weather, icy conditions and snow between 6.00am on Friday 14 December and 11:59pm on Saturday 15 December in parts of England.  This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.

Oesophago-gastric cancer quality standard

NICE has issued a new quality standard Oesophago-gastric cancer.  This standard covers assessing and managing oesophago-gastric cancer in adults. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement.

NICE guidance

Medtech innovation briefing

 Technology appraisal guidance

Statistics

• CCG Outcomes Indicator Set – December 2018
• Delayed Transfers of Care – October 2018
• Monthly hospital activity data – October 2018
• Provisional Monthly Hospital Episode Statistics for Admitted Patient Care, Outpatient and Accident and Emergency data – April 2018 – October 2018
• Diagnostics waiting times and activity – October 2018
• Waiting times for suspected and diagnosed cancer patients – October 2018
• Critical care bed capacity and urgent operations cancelled – October 2018
• Provisional Accident and Emergency Quality Indicators for England – October 2018, by provider
• A&E attendances and emergency admissions – November 2018
• Referral to treatment waiting times statistics for consultant -led elective care – October 2018 – data up to July to September 2018
• Patients Registered at a GP Practice – December 2018
• Recorded Dementia Diagnoses – November 2018
• Health state life expectancies, UK – 2015 to 2017