Service design – Page 106
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HSJ KnowledgeGP phone-line jams create more hospital admissions
Few things are more frustrating than an automated message saying your phone call is in a queue and will be answered shortly -or just getting the engaged tone. When you are ill, it can be rather more than just one of life’s little irritations, writes Kaye McIntosh.
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NewsNHS survival may depend on a ‘series of big changes’
The NHS may not survive unless dramatic action is taken to manage investment cuts, the NHS Confederation has warned.
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NewsFormer DH adviser warns NHS funding shortfall could run to billions
A former senior policy adviser at the Department of Health has warned the NHS could face a financial shortfall of billions of pounds in as little as four years.
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CommentDerek Campbell: There can be no progress without prevention
The impending financial squeeze makes it more important than ever to invest in preventing ill health in communities, rather than simply spending more on treatment
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CommentNoel Plumridge on caveats for consolidating mental health spending
A question for commissioners: what is the “right” proportion of your annual funding to spend on mental health?
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NewsSouthampton City PCT attempts to mitigate £3.6m losses
Southampton City primary care trust is renegotiating arrangements with its local Care UK treatment centre contract in a bid to stop the PCT losing up to £3.6m a year.
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NewsCzars to focus on cost cutting as well as quality
Reducing costs is becoming an integral part of the role of the Department of Health’s czars.
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NewsDavid Nicholson warns SHAs not to be defensive over visits
Strategic health authorities have been warned not to “guard the borders” if they want to get the most out of their assurance process.
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LeaderNHS cuts will be chance for staff to be new radicals
Existing NHS systems will not cope with the financial crisis enveloping the public sector.
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HSJ KnowledgeSupporting long term conditions in the NHS
As the number of people living with long term conditions rises, Helen Mooney looks at the government’s plans to improve their care and help them navigate the health and social services maze
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CommentSimon Stevens on toothless dental policies
Dentistry. The very word is enough to sink hearts on the fourth floor of Richmond House. The dental status quo is always said to be terrible. And every change allegedly makes it worse. That is what happened after the 1990 dental contract, and again after the 2006 contract.
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NewsPCTs leave public on the policy sidelines
Primary care trusts are failing to put patients and the public at the centre of the very strategies designed to engage them.
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NewsUnite campaigns against community service reforms
Trade union Unite has launched a campaign against Department of Health plans to separate primary care trust provider arms from commissioning PCTs.
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CommentPeter Reader: 'Mid Staffs holds the same lessons as Bristol tragedy'
In the aftermath of the next stage review, which put quality at its heart, it is sad that the NHS story that people will remember this year will be that of Mid Staffordshire foundation trust.
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NewsNurses back NHS operating theatre initiative
A programme that encourages operating theatre staff to work as a multi-disciplinary team can save time and improve the working lives of staff, according to health experts and nurses.
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NewsCompetition panel looks at NHS provider shift
The co-operation and competition panel is to investigate plans to transfer a primary care trust provider arm’s services to a foundation trust.
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CommentHilary Thomas on treating lymphoedema in the community
One of the most heart sinking conditions an oncologist encounters during his or her career is lymphoedema. I use the term “heart sinking” with some embarrassment but, if I am really honest, this is one of those afflictions that made me feel powerless as a clinician.
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CommentDeveloping an integrated falls prevention service
Falls-related injuries are the leading cause of death due to accident in older people. Sue Poulton explains how to develop an integrated falls prevention and bone health service to reduce the risk of falls
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NewsEast of England calls in heart czar to quell public outcry
Commissioners in the East of England have called in heart disease czar Roger Boyle following a public outcry over changes to services for people suffering severe heart attacks.
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CommentSophia Christie on NHS crisis and opportunity
An emerging policy consensus looks to innovation to save the NHS. The context is an emerging “perfect storm” of financial crisis, global warming, obesity, longer lives with greater dependency and fewer working age people to pay taxes.