Service design – Page 158
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      News
Nicholson slams medics over attacks
NHS chief executive David Nicholson has rubbished claims that the financial performance of the NHS was a 'tragedy' or a 'farce' as 'factually incorrect'.
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Cameron pledges end to politically driven targets
Conservative leader David Cameron has pledged that a Conservative government would increase spending on the NHS and scrap 'politically driven central targets'. And he promised it would not push through further reorganisations.
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Controversial and divisive: Whitehall's own Big Brother
Some say the Department of Health's commercial directorate employs questionable methods, while others eulogise over its success in getting best value for patients. As a new chief executive takes over, Daloni Carlisle examines the controversies to date
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£35m ISTC deal scrapped
The Department of Health has pulled the plug on one of the biggest wave-two independent sector treatment centre schemes. And there are rumours that more cancellations are on the way, with the entire surgical component at risk.
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Exclusive interview: David vs the Goliaths of bossy government
He wants the NHS freed from political control, he would not have voted for the smoking ban and he thinks Patricia Hewitt is the worst health secretary ever. Conservative leader David Cameron opens up to HSJ
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Frank message in Whitehall report card: must try harder
'That three people signed off the DoH's response to a report highlighting poor leadership has caused much merriment in Whitehall'
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Pandering to protests won't find answers
'The system Mr Cameron is proposing would produce a health service reflecting local wants, not needs'
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Nicholson: let local managers drive health service reforms
The NHS chief executive's advice to any incoming health secretary is to steer clear of further structural upheaval and allow managers to drive reform locally.
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Czars face the axe as policy shifts
The Department of Health looks set to phase out the 14 national czars in a move that will signal a further devolution of NHS power to the front line, HSJ understands.
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Trust battles with council over 'disastrous' A&E closure plans
West Sussex primary care trust is heading for a battle with the county council over plans to close two accident and emergency departments.
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Shelved report exposes PFI management problems
An unpublished report into private finance initiative hospitals has highlighted the problems trusts face in performance managing and enforcing contracts.
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Ambulance trusts eligible for foundation status
Health minister Andy Burnham has announced that ambulance trusts will be able to apply for foundation trust status from 1 April 2009. He also announced that a medal has been created to honour NHS ambulance workers.
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Easier access to services in North West
Health minister Andy Burnham has announced the next five areas where the Fairness in Primary Care Procurement programme will be rolled out.
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DoH rolls out continuing care framework
Funding decisions related to continuing care will soon be fairer, faster and easier to understand, according to the Department of Health.
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Most believe the NHS has not improved, survey reveals
A survey released by the British Medical Association claims that 42 per cent of people believe there has been no improvement in the NHS. Over a third, 34 per cent, said they thought the NHS had improved.
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Concerns raised over DoH 'direction of travel'
Serious concerns have been raised about the Department of Health's 'direction of travel'.
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Minority recruitment key to patient care
Recruiting more people from black and ethnic minority communities would improve patient care, increase skills and cut costs, according to a report by the Department of Health Race for Health programme.
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      HSJ Knowledge
New offerings on the CSIP website
The Care Services Improvement Partnership has expanded its website. It now provides.updates on all key areas of work - including how to increase direct payments uptake for people with learning disabilities and news on the new psychological therapies pilot sites.
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      HSJ Knowledge
The direct payments solution set
The Care Service Improvements Partnership now features.a direct payments solution on its Knowledge Community website, giving information on all aspects of direct payments and how to access them, including easy-to-read versions for people with learning disabilities.
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The virtual ward
The Virtual Ward website provides access to information about positive and innovative practice, as well as.examples of how policy and training can underpin practice. It is available to everyone and can be adjusted to fit.local circumstances.