Primary Care – Page 232
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HSJ Partners
Defining the role of the physiotherapist
With more than 35 million work days lost each year in the UK to occupational ill health and injury, it has been widely acknowledged that physiotherapists should play a key role in delivering future occupational health strategies, which in turn must be brought into mainstream healthcare provision.
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HSJ Knowledge
Making joint strategic needs assessments work
Joint strategy to identify the service needs of local people became a duty last month. Renu Bindra looks at how some areas are making the process a success
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Leader
Vulnerable people's fate must not fall to faceless bureaucracy
Health secretary Alan Johnson has called for a 'national debate' on how we will meet the needs and costs of an ageing population.
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News
End of postcode lottery could put PCTs in a spin
The Primary Care Commissioning Network will pool PCTs' expertise to help them make decisions on using new treatments while they wait for NICE guidance. But trusts that choose to ignore the network's advice could find themselves facing a media storm. By Alison Moore
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News
Johnson pledges better care for minority ethnic groups
Black and minority ethnic people are not getting the primary healthcare they need, a government report has shown.
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News
Councils could lose social care funds to DWP
Local councils could be stripped of their control over the 7bn adult social care budget under proposals being explored for the forthcoming social care green paper.
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HSJ Knowledge
Is world class commissioning the answer?
Two healthcare management experts lock horns over whether the drive to raise the standard of commissioning really can transform the quality of care
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News
NHS website aims to dispel career myths
A survey published by NHS Careers has highlighted the mixed feelings among undergraduates towards a career in the health service.
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Comment
Paul Corrigan and Ben Page on PCT accountability
If public services really were owned by the public, accountability would always be at the core of their business. But since this is not the case, all public services must continuously review how they are held accountable.
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Comment
Detailed care records - a closer look
Despite the perceived benefits of electronically linking a patient's medical records, significant barriers must be overcome before the plan becomes a reality, as Mary Hawking explains
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HSJ Knowledge
Practice-based commissioning: if the cap fits
While GPs have not greeted the role of commissioner with universal enthusiasm, its proponents believe that when the right skills and flow of information are in place, it will transform PCT performance, says Rob Finch
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HSJ Knowledge
Extended hours: crying out for flexibility
The government's guidance on extended hours is not the only way for GP practices to answer the pleas for better access. Ingrid Torjesen looks at some local solutions
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HSJ Knowledge
Accountability: how to walk the local talk
Despite political consensus on the need for community involvement, PCTs are not directly accountable to their public. Ann Shuttleworth and Julie Griffiths ask why
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News
Virgin Healthcare unveils GP contract details
Virgin Healthcare has revealed detailed plans for its new GP services, which will involve leaving family doctors on standard contracts but taking control of their non-clinical work.
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News
Barbara Young warns on cash for GP regulation
The newly appointed Care Quality Commission chair has revealed she is not convinced by government proposals to regulate GPs.Baroness Young told HSJ she agreed the Health and Social Care Bill should allow for some primary care services to be absorbed into the main regulatory regime.
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News
Suppliers could challenge PCTs under European rules
An EU directive due to be implemented in the UK next year could leave primary care trust contracts open to challenge through the courts.
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News
PCTs told to target London reforms at the vulnerable
Primary care trusts must act urgently to ensure the shake-up of services in the capital improves the welfare of vulnerable groups, the London Health Commission has warned.
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Comment
Hilary Thomas on changing healthcare
The past year has been one of huge transition for me, professionally and personally. I have phased out seeing patients and crossed to the dark side, which has been a stimulating and steep learning curve.
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HSJ Knowledge
Self-harm services: help with the pain
An award-winning service earns the confidence of people who self-harm with empathetic care. Stuart Shepherd reports on how it is improving the lives of vulnerable people
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News
National GP assessment to aid choice
Primary care trusts will be able to assess GP practice performance against a national standard for the first time under a new primary medical care provider accreditation scheme