All Commissioning articles – Page 253

  • News

    NHS dentistry spending rises by 50 per cent

    2008-03-27T12:45:00Z

    NHS expenditure on dental services increased by 53 per cent between 1997-98 and 2005-06, figures published today by the Information Centre for health and social care show.The strategic health authority showing the greatest percentage increase in expenditure over this period was South Yorkshire at 69 per cent. The lowest rise ...

  • News

    DH publishes 18-week data for January 2008

    2008-03-27T11:19:21Z

    The Department of Health has published referral to treatment data for patients whose 18-week clock stopped in January 2008.

  • News

    Panel saves services at Horton Hospital

    2008-03-27T09:00:00Z

    The independent reconfiguration panel has advised the health secretary to reject Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals trust's proposals to downgrade paediatric, gynaecological and obstetric services at Horton Hospital because it would not provide an accessible or improved service for local people.

  • News

    Corporate manslaughter: you could be in the dock

    2008-03-27T09:00:00Z

    From 6 April NHS organisations could be prosecuted for corporate manslaughter if someone dies in their care, but different interpretations of the law mean trusts may be unclear about their responsibilities. Ingrid Torjesen attempts to unravel the new actFor more in-depth information about the act, register for HSJ’s free corporate ...

  • HSJ Knowledge

    Specialised commissioning: who will stand up for rare conditions?

    2008-03-27T09:00:00Z

    As PCTs respond to popular local demand, the government must ensure illnesses that affect relatively few people are cared for too

  • News

    PCTs dub assurance test tough but useful

    2008-03-27T09:00:00Z

    Primary care trusts that tried a new test of commissioning abilities say the process was hard but helpful.

  • News

    GPs in poorer areas 'prescribe fewer drugs'

    2008-03-27T09:00:00Z

    GPs in poorer areas prescribe fewer drugs and spend less on them than GPs in richer areas, research by Suffolk primary care trust has found.

  • HSJ Knowledge

    Using the Commissioning Simulator to guide confident and innovative commissioning

    2008-03-25T14:42:41Z

    With the recent launch of the Department of Health’s world class commissioning agenda, there is increased pressure on primary care trusts to manage their budgets effectively while at the same time improving public health and patient satisfaction.However, many PCT staff have not had specific training in commissioning, and sometimes little ...

  • Supplements

    Round table - clinical priorities: a dose of realism

    2008-03-24T09:00:00Z

    Wonder drugs will play a part in transforming healthcare - but a roundtable of experts brought together by HSJ and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry said implementing best practice could be even more important. Alexis Nolan reports

  • Comment

    Sophia Christie on fighting change

    2008-03-20T09:00:00Z

    Besieged by change, senior managers in the NHS are adept at resisting it while apparently leading it.

  • News

    PCTs may call for foundation style freedoms

    2008-03-20T09:00:00Z

    Primary care trusts could push for freedom to determine senior managers' pay as a reward for becoming world class commissioners.

  • News

    London's neediest areas are worst off

    2008-03-20T09:00:00Z

    London primary care trusts facing the biggest health challenges are saddled with the greatest funding shortfalls, a new coalition of private and voluntary organisations has warned.

  • News

    NHS service providers can advertise under new code

    2008-03-20T09:00:00Z

    NHS trusts and independent providers of NHS services have the freedom from today to advertise direct to patients - but must abide by a new code of conduct.

  • News

    DH admits target on health inequalities is hard to meet

    2008-03-20T09:00:00Z

    The Department of Health has admitted that it will be 'difficult' to meet its target to reduce health inequalities.

  • Comment

    David Woodhead and Valerie James on tackling decommissioning

    2008-03-17T09:00:00Z

    Government is stepping away from setting central targets and relinquishing direct control over delivery. Locally identified needs and priorities will take their place. Directors of public health and commissioning will be at the vanguard of service reform in the health service and local councils.

  • News

    GPs urge PCTs to remain flexible

    2008-03-13T09:00:00Z

    Primary care trusts will have to negotiate with family doctors over how to implement extended hours locally after the overwhelming majority of GPs voted to accept the government’s proposed deal.

  • News

    FESC is thrown open without Treasury probe

    2008-03-13T09:00:00Z

    The Department of Health has extended its commissioning support programme without carrying out an expected value-for-money assessment of the scheme, HSJ has learned.Health secretary Alan Johnson announced last week that the framework for procuring external support for commissioners, FESC, is now open to all primary care trusts to buy in ...

  • News

    Patients demand 'creativity' in dental commissioning

    2008-03-13T09:00:00Z

    Primary care trusts successful at commissioning dental services should be able to take over from those that are failing, says the Patients Association.

  • News

    PCTs pressured to lose provider arm

    2008-03-13T09:00:00Z

    Strategic health authorities are forcing primary care trusts to divest themselves of their provider functions, PCT chiefs have claimed.

  • News

    GPs fail to help with appointments audit

    2008-03-13T09:00:00Z

    Primary care trusts have been unable to complete an audit of the number of GP appointments provided by practices because GPs have refused to hand over the information, following British Medical Association advice.