Who’s who in health and social care guides 2014 –  Regional Voices These guides have been updated to include new and current contact information for key figures within local health economies. Each regional guide contains contact information for representatives on health and wellbeing boards, CCGs, Healthwatch, strategic clinical networks and senates,…

Guidance for 2015 to 2016 education and training tariffs consultation – Department of Health (DH) This consultation seeks views on the draft guidance for using education and training tariffs for healthcare placements. The consultation is not addressing the tariff prices but rather how the tariffs are used. Feedback will be accepted…

RCN London Safe Staffing Report 2014 – Royal College of Nursing  This report shows that the region’s nursing shortage is increasing with more than 8000 nursing posts in the capital unfilled. 14% of London nursing posts are now vacant, up from 11% a year ago. It calls for system-wide action…

Waiting time standards toughened up under contract proposals – Health Service Journal  Tougher financial penalties will be imposed on trusts that fail to meet waiting time standards and commissioners’ freedom to waive penalties will be curbed under NHS England’s draft standard contract for 2015-16, which was published this week. Contact the…

Surveillance of surgical site infections in NHS hospitals in England: 2013 to 2014 – Public Health England This annual report covers surgical site infection (SSI) data collected by NHS hospitals and independent sector NHS treatment centres.  Data in this report includes voluntary submissions and data submitted as part of the…

New Charter agreed for SAS doctors – NHS Employers A new Charter for specialty and associate specialist (SAS) doctors sets out what SAS doctors and employers can expect from each other. Agreed by the British Medical Association, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, HEE and NHS Employers, the Charter also sets out the…

Now more than ever: why pharmacy’s need to act – Nuffield Trust This report argues that leadership divisions and fragmented funding arrangements mean that pharmacists could miss out on new plans giving them the chance to treat patients more directly unless the profession can make a coherent case for change.…

Frailty pathway integrates service to provide more and better care outside of hospital – NHS Improving Quality Many frail elderly people in hospital could be cared for more effectively in the community, or could avoid admission altogether if more robust preventative services were in place Lincolnshire West CCG led the…

Urgent and important: the future for urgent care in a 24/7 NHS – Urgent Care Commission The Urgent Care Commission, supported by an unrestricted grant from Care UK, explores the provision of urgent and out of hours care in England and makes eight recommendations to improve standards and ensure the most…