Staffing for safe and effective care in the UK : 2019 report 
This report provides an overview of progress made against the RCN’s safe staffing campaign principles during 2019. It includes country-specific updates as well as a look ahead to priorities during 2020.

Consultation on proposed updates to the risk assessment framework for independent sector providers of NHS services 
NHS Improvement is consulting on proposed updates to the risk assessment framework for independent sector providers of NHS services (IPRAF). The consultation is aimed mainly at licensed independent providers of commissioner requested services, but also contains information for all other licensed independent providers, including NHS-controlled providers that have been told they will be regulated under the IPRAF. The proposed updates have no implications for our oversight of NHS trusts or foundation trusts. The consultation closes on 28 February 2020.

NHS financial management and sustainability
The National Audit Office has published NHS financial management and sustainability.  This eighth report on the financial sustainability of the NHS summarises the financial and operational performance of the NHS as a whole in England in 2018-19; examines the financial performance of local NHS organisations; and examines NHS service transformation and sustainability.

Review of capital expenditure in the NHS
The National Audit Office has also published Review of capital expenditure in the NHS.  This report expands on issues in the aforementioned NHS financial sustainability report to set out the facts on NHS capital investment.  It covers the age of the NHS estate and rising maintenance costs; the allocation of the capital investment budget; sources of capital funding; and challenges to planning and delivering an effective capital strategy.

Paterson inquiry report
The Department of Health and Social Care has published Report of the independent inquiry into the issues raised by Paterson.  The inquiry has reviewed the circumstances surrounding Ian Paterson’s malpractice and considered other past and current practices in the NHS and the independent sector. The inquiry aims to learn lessons from these and to make recommendations to improve the safety and quality of care provided to all patients.

NICE guidance

Quality standard

Medtech innovation briefing

Better Care Fund
NHS England and NHS Improvement have published Minimum allocations for the Better Care Fund from CCGs in 2020-21.  This document provides details of the minimum allocations for the Better Care Fund (BCF) from CCGs for 2020-21.

Health research projects
The National Institute for Health Research has published UK health research analysis 2018.  This report provides a comprehensive view of the current levels of health-related research funding in the UK.  It also charts changes in health research over the last 14 years.

Statistics

• Dementia Assessment and Referral data collection – November 2019
• Abortion statistics for England and Wales: 2018
• MRSA bacteraemia: monthly data by location of onset and NHS organisation – December 2018 to December 2019
• MSSA bacteraemia: monthly data by location of onset and NHS organisation – December 2018 to December 2019
• C. difficile infection: monthly data by prior trust exposure and NHS organisation – December 2018 to December 2019
• E. coli bacteraemia: monthly data by location of onset and NHS organisation – December 2018 to December 2019
• P. aeruginosa bacteraemia: monthly data by location of onset and NHS organisation – December 2018 to December 2019
• Klebsiella spp bacteraemia: monthly data by location of onset and NHS organisation – December 2018 to December 2019

NICE principles
NICE has published a guide to the way they develop their guidance and standards.   The NICE principles document is designed to help anyone interested in NICE better understand what they take into account when developing their guidance. It replaces the NICE Social Value Judgements (SVJ) document first published in 2005.