All Independent providers articles – Page 68
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News
BUPA expected to provide 'external support' for PCT
Hillingdon primary care trust is set to name BUPA as the company it plans to use to help it commission services under the Department of Health's external commissioner list, HSJ has learned.
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HSJ Knowledge
Pioneer teams are overcoming anger
A programme for aggression management in secure psychiatric settings trials the latest international research, reports Louise Hunt
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Comment
Paul Robinson on double standards
'Both the independent sector and the NHS collect data - but different items for different purposes, making direct comparisons virtually impossible'
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News
NHS strikes new deal with Microsoft
The NHS has deepened its involvement with Microsoft by renewing the enterprise agreement signed with the company in 2004 and agreeing new e-mail software.
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News
Tesco and Boots opt out of GP scheme
Virgin, Tesco, NetCare, and Boots have said they will not be bidding to provide GP practices under a scheme designed to extend services in under-doctored areas.
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HSJ Knowledge
Strategies for managing the market
The Care Services Improvement Partnership has rolled out a pilot information-gathering project in East Lancashire to help commissioners and providers work together for patients. Tony Ryan and colleagues explain
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Comment
Introducing direct payments into care homes
Direct payment budgets could be extended to people living in care settings to allow residents to make individual choices from healthcare services available to them, says David Janner-Klausner
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News
GPs urged to refer directly to the independent sector
Western Cheshire primary care trust has told doctors across its patch to refer orthopaedic patients needing hip and knee replacements directly to an independent sector treatment centre because it is under-used.
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News
GP tendering could herald new era of competition for practices
A scheme allowing primary care trusts greater sway over GP services could be the 'tip of the iceberg' in exposing family doctors to competition.
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Comment
Established GPs prepare to feel the heat of big business
'Running a practice may not be a huge money-spinner for commercial firms, but the rewards from a greater role in commissioning could be considerable'
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News
Wave three treatment centres axed
The cancellation of the next wave of independent sector treatment centres has raised questions over the government's commitment to using private sector companies in the NHS.
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Comment
Dr Maire Smith on nurturing innovation
'NHS staff have a wealth of ideas and a number of these could be translated into tangible benefits, not only for the patient, but also for the organisation'
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News
Clarity needed on 'stealth' social enterprise bodies
Social enterprises working in the health service are becoming unaccountable and bureaucratic as they move away from their community-focused roots, academics have warned.
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HSJ Knowledge
Foundation trusts: understanding the private patient cap
Legislation governing how many private patients foundation trusts can take on can present challenges for trusts wishing to carry out more private work. Trevor Blythe explains the rules
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News
David Lawrence offers some words of advice to Mr Brown
'Yes, Mr Brown, as you well understand, the NHS is a business operation in that it is an input-output system with desired outcomes'
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News
ISTC data is 'poor quality'
National data on the clinical quality of independent sector treatment centres must be improved, according to a review by the Healthcare Commission.
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HSJ Knowledge
Good neighbours
Moving in with the competition could have unexpected benefits, writes Stuart Shepherd
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News
Providers criticise NHS Choices site
The NHS Choices website is hampering users' ability to access the extended choice list, a network of independent providers has claimed.
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News
PCT calls for GP referral competition to be shelved
Plans to have the NHS and the private sector compete for GP referrals in north Cumbria should be shelved in favour of the two working together, its primary care trust has said.
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News
Cabinet reshuffle: private sector fights to stay on agenda
Private providers have called on the new health secretary to clarify his commitment to independent sector expansion amid fears it will slip down the political agenda.