Service design – Page 170
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News
'Psychiatric asbos' slammed
The Department of Health has published a report on the international experience of community treatment orders commissioned from the Institute of Psychiatry a year ago. But it has been greeted with outrage by pressure groups and the Conservatives who say the report shows 'psychiatric asbos' do not work and therefore ...
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News
Audiology waits 'unacceptable' says minister
Patients face 'unacceptably long waits' for audiology services, according to care services minister Ivan Lewis in his foreword to today's Improving Access to Audiology Services in England national framework.He calls for a 'radical reduction' in waiting so that the most complex cases are treated within the end-of-2008 18-week target, and ...
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HSJ Knowledge
Backs for the future
When Ipswich Hospital trust saw a need for change in back pain care, a working party set about transforming the service, with outstanding results. John Skinner and colleagues explain
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News
Organisational energy
I agree totally with Helen Bevan's article on organisational energy but can't help thinking about the amount of energy being wasted in primary care trusts across the country as they grapple with the Commissioning a Patient-Led NHS.reconfiguration.
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News
Air conditioning on the NHS
Patients with breathing problems could soon be prescribed air conditioning on the NHS to help them cope with hot weather, health secretary Patricia Hewitt is expected to announce today. Those with a lung condition that worsens in warm weather could be given a £500 portable cooling unit for their homes.
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News
Day of protest tomorrow
Over 40 protests against health service cuts, closures and marketisation will take place tomorrow as part of the national day of action being co-ordinated by NHS Together, the campaign alliance of NHS staff unions and associations.Read more here
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News
Waiting-list fall contiunues
The Department of Health has published performance data showing that waiting lists and cancelled operations continue to fall while the number of critical beds available is at a record high.The number of people on the inpatient waiting list from January 2007 was 774,000 - 2,000 less than the previous month ...
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News
'Raise bar' on consulting
Trusts and strategic health authorities must 'raise the bar' on the quality of local service consultations, says Sir Ian Carruthers in his national review of current reconfiguration proposals.
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Comment
Unity will unlock gateway to success
Sir Ian Carruthers' two-month review of England's reconfiguration proposals urges much greater co-ordination of effort - a more united front to replace a series of skirmishes.
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News
Lansley rejects beds claim
Conservative health spokesman Andrew Lansley has rejected Tony Blair's claim during yesterday prime minister's questions that the reductions in the number of NHS beds were an indication that the NHS was treating people faster.Mr Lansley claimed the current rate of bed closures could not be justified by the government. Read ...
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News
Carruthers sets reconfiguration recommendations
NHS South West chief executive Sir Ian Carruthers has completed a report on recommended processes for local NHS reconfigurations.The findings are outlined in a letter to strategic health authorities from NHS chief executive David Nicholson.Read the letter here
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News
Chest cancer framework published
A framework for improving care received by people with mesothelioma, a chest cancer related to exposure to asbestos, has been launched.The framework includes advice on how to build on structures of care already in place for lung cancer patients.Read the framework here
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News
Campaigners plan weekend protest
Campaigners are calling for the public and NHS staff to protest against service reforms in south London.Protestors will be demonstrating against service reviews at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals trust.Find out more here
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News
Alliance chair joins cancer board
NHS Alliance chair Dr Michael Dixon has been appointed to the new cancer reform strategy board.Dr Dixon said he aimed to 'breaking down the barriers' between care pathways across secondary and primary care.
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News
Partnership agreement for joint working agreed
The government, NHS Employers and unions have signed a partnership agreement to show their collective commitment to joint working.The Department of Health said the new agreement would provide a 'springboard' to promote effective partnership on the workforce implications of policy.Find out more here
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News
Institute launches new No Delays Achiever
The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement has launched an improved second version of its No Delays Achiever, a web-based tool created to help NHS organisations achieve the 18-week target for GP referral to first treatment.More than 140 NHS organisations are registered as users of the free service, which was ...
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News
Poll finds low awareness of choice options
Public awareness of the ability to choose a hospital for a referral remains relatively low, although more patients say they are being offered choice and four in five of those are happy with the process, according to a poll by Ipsos MORI.The results of the September 2006 national patient choice ...
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News
King's Fund identifies key NHS challenges
The NHS needs to overcome five key challenges to create a viable, long-term future when lower growth in funding kicks in from 2008, according to the King's Fund.Its report, Funding Healthcare: 2008 and beyond, says the government must take action to reduce variation in performance and clinical practice in the ...
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News
BMA sceptical over Blair's new push to meet 18-week target
Doctors have warned that financial difficulties in the NHS could block plans to hit next year's maximum 18-week waiting target by using operating theatres round the clock.
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Comment
Top thinkers hail power of imagination
If clinicians are the likely generators of the ideas that will transform NHS performance, managers need the confidence to create the space for them to blossom. Our main feature this week looks at a group of very different ideas with the potential to make a huge difference locally and nationally.