NHS Trust Development Authority (HSIB Maternity Investigations) Directions 2018 –  Department of Health and Social Care 
It was announced in November 2017 that the Healthcare Safety Investigations Branch (HSIB) would investigate all cases of early neonatal deaths, term intrapartum stillbirths and cases of severe brain injury in babies in England and all cases of maternal death in England. These directions come into effect on 30 April 2018 and cover HSIB’s additional functions and duties in carrying out maternity investigations.

Facing the future audit 2017: standards for acute general paediatric services – Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
This report highlights the struggle hospitals face to meet standards that provide children with high quality, safe and consistent healthcare. It calls on the government to expand the consultant workforce to help units increase consultant presence at peak times and improve the standard of hospital care.

Lord Darzi review of health and care: interim report
IPPR has published The Lord Darzi review of health and care: interim report.  This report sets out evidence of what has happened to the quality of health and social care and how readily people can access the care they need.  It explores health and social care funding and makes an assessment of the impact of the reforms to the sector. It also describes changes likely to be seen in the 2020s and the future funding requirements for the health and care system.  The final report will be published in the lead up to the 70th anniversary of the NHS and will set out a long term funding and reform plan for health and care.

Older people with complex needs
The Nuffield Trust has published Patient-centred care for older people with complex needs: evaluation of a new care model in outer east London.  This study, commissioned by Redbridge CCGs, evaluates a ‘one-stop’ primary care service within three London boroughs for older people with complex health care needs.

Pulmonary rehabilitation services
The Royal College of Physicians has launched the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services Accreditation Scheme (PRSAS).  PRSAS is a supportive quality improvement accreditation pathway for pulmonary rehabilitation services.  It provides access to a new online tool, expertise and up to date guidance on improving standards and enhancing patient experience.

The rising cost of medicines
The King’s Fund has published The rising cost of medicines to the NHS: what’s the story?  This briefing looks at the trends in NHS spending on medicines, both generic and branded, and explores what’s behind these trends.  It also outlines the key policies that the NHS uses to control spending and explores some of the choices that policy-makers are likely to face in the future.

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency plan
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has published Corporate plan 2018-23.  This plan outlines the Agency’s strategic direction over the next five years, including how it ensures a smooth European Union exit under any scenario.

NIHR Signals provide decision makers in the NHS, public health and social care with the latest important research from the NIHR and other health research organisations.

These are the latest Signals from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Dissemination Center:

• Case managers improve outcomes for people with dementia and their carers
• Sending patient reminders improves immunisation uptake
• Atraumatic needles reduce headaches following lumbar puncture
• Adding the extra antibiotic rifampicin did not improve cure rates after sepsis
• Swimming in seawater is linked with an increased chance of some illnesses
• Lorazepam confirmed as first-line treatment for stopping prolonged seizures in children

Statistics

• Fit Notes Issued by GP Practices, England – December 2017
• Maternity Services Monthly Statistics – January 2018, Experimental statistics
• Learning Disability Services Monthly Statistics – Commissioner census (Assuring Transformation), – March 2018