All Independent providers articles – Page 65

  • News

    Managers see private sector as threat, survey reveals

    2008-03-25T11:58:00Z

    Sixty-eight per cent of practice managers think private sector providers pose a major threat to the quality of general practice and patient care, according to a new survey.

  • Comment

    Media Watch: Olympic health worries

    2008-03-20T09:00:00Z

    'I would rather be in music than in politics,' said health secretary Alan Johnson in an interview with The Observer's Music Monthly magazine.

  • 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

    Foundation trusts query accounting changes

    2008-03-20T09:00:00Z

    Foundation trusts have raised concerns that forthcoming changes to accounting rules could undermine efforts to get hospitals to focus on where they make and lose money.

  • Comment

    Guarantees are vital to ISTC success

    2008-03-13T09:00:00Z

    Your piece on independent sector treatment centres, 'ISTC contract guarantees will saddle NHS with £187m bill', misses some fundamental points, writes David Worskett

  • 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

    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.

  • HSJ Knowledge

    Change of view: improving primary care

    2008-03-10T09:00:00Z

    GPs in Essex were stimulated by the arrival of an alternative provider contract in their patch, say Hilary Ayerst and Paul Corrigan

  • Comment

    Noel Plumridge on topping up NHS care

    2008-03-06T09:00:00Z

    It is a long time since NHS care was unequivocally free. Over half a century ago, in the final days of a post-war Labour government that was proud to nationalise not just healthcare but the 'commanding heights' of the British economy - coal, steel, the railways - a certain outspoken ...

  • News

    ISTC contract guarantees will saddle NHS with a £187m bill

    2008-03-06T09:00:00Z

    Deals with private contractors have left the NHS facing a hidden 187m bill to buy back some of the controversial independent sector treatment centres, HSJ has learned.

  • News

    New super-regulator begins to take shape

    2008-02-28T09:00:00Z

    Last week the bill that will see the merger of three regulators began its process through the Lords. But there are warnings that detail on the new legislation is sketchy, leaving trusts in the dark over how it will affect them. Charlotte Santry reports

  • News

    Government 'still wasting money on ISTCs'

    2008-02-22T11:04:24Z

    Research published in the British Medical Journal today argues that there is no good evidence that independent sector treatment centres provide value for money or high-quality care.

  • News

    Lord Warner new chair of UK Healthgateway

    2008-02-22T11:02:34Z

    UKhealth market access company UK Healthgateway has appointed former health minister Lord Warner as its chair.

  • News

    Darzi plans equate to 'Martini healthcare'

    2008-02-21T12:00:21Z

    The chair of the Royal College of GPs has slammed junior health minister Lord Darzi’s polyclinics concept as “Martini healthcare – any time, anywhere, any doctor”.

  • News

    Private sector deals face audit office scrutiny

    2008-02-21T09:00:00Z

    The National Audit Office is to investigate the Department of Health's decision to cancel a large swathe of its independent sector treatment centre programme.

  • Comment

    The people's constitution

    2008-02-20T15:14:50Z

    BUPA is supportive of the concept of an NHS constitution, but as an initiative designed to empower consumers. However, much of the discussion seems to be centring on processes and structure, writes Andrew Vallance-Owen

  • Comment

    Is it reasonable to audit GPs' hours?

    2008-02-15T17:09:52Z

    Far from 'standing between patients and a better service' over longer GP opening hours, the British Medical Association has said most GPs would offer appointments in extended hours, writes Richard Vautrey

  • News

    Green light ISTCs, government urged

    2008-02-11T11:31:00Z

    The Confederation of British Industry has challenged the government to green light more independent sector treatment centres.

  • News

    Decision on ISTCs 'pivotal', says Confederation of British Industry

    2008-02-11T10:00:00Z

    The Confederation of British Industry has challenged the government to give the go-ahead to a further wave of independent sector treatment centres.

  • News

    Decision on ISTCs 'pivotal', says Confederation of British Industry

    2008-02-11T10:00:00Z

    The Confederation of British Industry has challenged the government to give the go-ahead to a further wave of independent sector treatment centres.