NEWS - FEBRUARY and MARCH 2016
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SPECIALISED SERVICES, NHS ... SUMMARY GUIDE TO CONSULTATION
8 pages Decisions on new treatments in specialised services . Prioritising new treatments . A way of making decisions on new treatments . How do new treatments get considered? . The proposed new method of deciding priorities - in more detail . What happens next? |
PQ, LORDS, HEALTHWATCH ENGLAND
https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2016-04-26/debates/16042643000863/HealthwatchEngland
Lord Harris of Haringey . The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Lord Prior of Brampton . Baroness Walmsley (LD) Lord Lansley (Con) Baroness Wall of New Barnet (Lab) . Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Lab) . Baroness Hussein-Ece (LD) . Lord Whitty (Lab)
https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2016-04-26/debates/16042643000863/HealthwatchEngland
Lord Harris of Haringey . The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Lord Prior of Brampton . Baroness Walmsley (LD) Lord Lansley (Con) Baroness Wall of New Barnet (Lab) . Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Lab) . Baroness Hussein-Ece (LD) . Lord Whitty (Lab)
The Rt Honourable David Cameron, 10 Downing Street
Dear Mr Cameron,
We are appalled at the behaviour of Jeremy Hunt towards Junior Hospital Doctors. Mr Hunt is creating chaos by refusing to enter into genuine negotiations with the BMA. We all know that the Doctors are dedicated to the NHS, but Mr Hunt, who has so often expressed his commitment to the NHS, has shown himself - through his incompetence - to be an enemy of the NHS and harmful to patients. The ongoing impasse poses a terrible risk to the NHS and is causing demoralisation amongst all healthcare staff. The NHS needs the Junior Doctors, they are the future of the NHS ... work with them, don't alienate them.
Please immediately bring all parties back to the table to resolve this dispute.
Malcolm Alexander
Chair
Healthwatch and Patients Involvement Association _ HAPIA
www.hapia2013.org
Dear Mr Cameron,
We are appalled at the behaviour of Jeremy Hunt towards Junior Hospital Doctors. Mr Hunt is creating chaos by refusing to enter into genuine negotiations with the BMA. We all know that the Doctors are dedicated to the NHS, but Mr Hunt, who has so often expressed his commitment to the NHS, has shown himself - through his incompetence - to be an enemy of the NHS and harmful to patients. The ongoing impasse poses a terrible risk to the NHS and is causing demoralisation amongst all healthcare staff. The NHS needs the Junior Doctors, they are the future of the NHS ... work with them, don't alienate them.
Please immediately bring all parties back to the table to resolve this dispute.
Malcolm Alexander
Chair
Healthwatch and Patients Involvement Association _ HAPIA
www.hapia2013.org
FRAMEWORK FOR PATIENT AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PRIMARY CARE COMMISSIONING
Letter to Malcolm Alexander, Chair, HAPIA from Ruth Beattie, Participation Manager, Nursing Directorate, NHS England
Letter to Malcolm Alexander, Chair, HAPIA from Ruth Beattie, Participation Manager, Nursing Directorate, NHS England
HWE QUESTION IN THE LORDS
Lord Harris has secured an Oral Question on 26th April:
Lord Harris of Haringey why, when advertising the post of Chair of Healthwatch England, the Department of Health stipulated that the successful candidate would require private sector experience, and why the governance arrangements for Healthwatch England have been changed so that its Chief Executive is subordinate to the Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission.
Lord Harris has secured an Oral Question on 26th April:
Lord Harris of Haringey why, when advertising the post of Chair of Healthwatch England, the Department of Health stipulated that the successful candidate would require private sector experience, and why the governance arrangements for Healthwatch England have been changed so that its Chief Executive is subordinate to the Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission.
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MBRACE ... 2015 KEY POINTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH
PowerPoint Presentation ... 20 slides The Women who died UK - 2011-12013 . Indirect Maternal Deaths 2011-2013 . Mental health-related deaths after six weeks postpartum . Timing of suicide . Method of suicide . Lack of recognition of symptom pattern and seriousness . Precursor thoughts or acts of violent self-harm . Precursor thoughts or acts of violent self-harm Red Flag Presentations . Grade of assessor and New Learning Point . Care of multiple teams and Learning Points . Psychiatric returns and reviews and New Learning Points . Key messages |
NEW PATIENT SAFETY BODY TO CARRY OUT 'NO BLAME' INVESTIGATIONS
7 March, 2016
The new body to examine clinical errors in the NHS is expected to operate within a “safe space” with evidence protected to encourage the service to cooperate with investigations, it has emerged.
NHS England national patient safety director Mike Durkin said it was likely that only the final reports by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch, previously known as the Independent Patient Safety Investigation Service, would be published. This will mean evidence submitted to the investigations will be protected and would require a court order before being released. However, patients or families will be involved in the process and relevant information will be shared with them throughout.
The move is designed to create trust in the new organisation among patients and staff, as well as securing its position as a fact finding and learning service rather than a way to apportion blame.
Dr Durkin said a new Chief Investigator role will be created to lead HSIB from 01 April. He said the Branch will rely on NHS Improvement for “pay and rations”, but would have operational independence in how it is conducted.
7 March, 2016
The new body to examine clinical errors in the NHS is expected to operate within a “safe space” with evidence protected to encourage the service to cooperate with investigations, it has emerged.
NHS England national patient safety director Mike Durkin said it was likely that only the final reports by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch, previously known as the Independent Patient Safety Investigation Service, would be published. This will mean evidence submitted to the investigations will be protected and would require a court order before being released. However, patients or families will be involved in the process and relevant information will be shared with them throughout.
The move is designed to create trust in the new organisation among patients and staff, as well as securing its position as a fact finding and learning service rather than a way to apportion blame.
Dr Durkin said a new Chief Investigator role will be created to lead HSIB from 01 April. He said the Branch will rely on NHS Improvement for “pay and rations”, but would have operational independence in how it is conducted.
NATIONAL GUARDIAN FOR WHISTLEBLOWING RESIGNS AFTER 2 MONTHS
Dame Eileen Sills, the national guardian for NHS whistleblowers, has resigned after just two months in the role.
In a statement she said it had become clear that it was “not possible” to combine the office with her existing role as Nursing Director at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation Trust.
The whistleblower guardian role was called for by Sir Robert Francis
The Care Quality Commission, which hosts the national guardian’s office, said Sir Robert Francis QC has offered “non-executive support” to the office until a new appointment is made.
Sir Robert, who is a CQC non-executive director, called for the creation of the office in his review into NHS whistleblowing. He said it was a “vital element in the drive to change the culture of the NHS”.
Dame Eileen said: “It has been a very difficult decision to take but after two months it is very clear that it is not possible to combine the role of the national guardian – and establishment of the office – with the increasing challenges NHS providers face, while doing justice to both roles.
Dame Eileen Sills, the national guardian for NHS whistleblowers, has resigned after just two months in the role.
In a statement she said it had become clear that it was “not possible” to combine the office with her existing role as Nursing Director at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation Trust.
The whistleblower guardian role was called for by Sir Robert Francis
The Care Quality Commission, which hosts the national guardian’s office, said Sir Robert Francis QC has offered “non-executive support” to the office until a new appointment is made.
Sir Robert, who is a CQC non-executive director, called for the creation of the office in his review into NHS whistleblowing. He said it was a “vital element in the drive to change the culture of the NHS”.
Dame Eileen said: “It has been a very difficult decision to take but after two months it is very clear that it is not possible to combine the role of the national guardian – and establishment of the office – with the increasing challenges NHS providers face, while doing justice to both roles.
CQC GIVEN POWERS TO RAISE FEES
Following consultation, the Government is introducing regulations to give the Care Quality Commission fee raising powers (under Section 46 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008) when carrying out comprehensive inspections.
The new regulations will come into force on O1 April 2016.
Read the CQC (Fees) (Reviews and Performance Assessments) Regulations 2016
Following consultation, the Government is introducing regulations to give the Care Quality Commission fee raising powers (under Section 46 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008) when carrying out comprehensive inspections.
The new regulations will come into force on O1 April 2016.
Read the CQC (Fees) (Reviews and Performance Assessments) Regulations 2016
NO PATIENT CONSULTATIONS IN GP SERVICE CUTS ... 2 pages
Patients consulted in less than half of PMS reviews that could cut services
Figures from NHS England’s last stocktake of PMS review progress in December 2015 revealed that local teams could confirm a patient engagement process had taken place for just 48% of those reviews which had been assessed to deliver changes to services.
Details of the reviews have emerged just a month after a West Yorkshire GP warned that PMS reviews could be unlawful if commissioners fail to properly involve patients when services are affected. Dr Paul Wilding’s Slaithwaite Health Centre is facing a possible funding cut of 44% following a contract review.
A patient at the practice is seeking a judicial review of the process over claims from the local patients' group that it failed to involve the public.
Patients consulted in less than half of PMS reviews that could cut services
Figures from NHS England’s last stocktake of PMS review progress in December 2015 revealed that local teams could confirm a patient engagement process had taken place for just 48% of those reviews which had been assessed to deliver changes to services.
Details of the reviews have emerged just a month after a West Yorkshire GP warned that PMS reviews could be unlawful if commissioners fail to properly involve patients when services are affected. Dr Paul Wilding’s Slaithwaite Health Centre is facing a possible funding cut of 44% following a contract review.
A patient at the practice is seeking a judicial review of the process over claims from the local patients' group that it failed to involve the public.
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REVALIDATION - PATIENT FEEDBACK FOR DOCTORS
PowerPoint Presentation - 13 slides Revalidation is a process for all GMC licensed doctors to regularly demonstrate they are up-to-date, fit to practise and able to provide the best care. — Revalidation aims to give confidence to patients that every Doctor’s performance is regularly checked by their employer and the GMC (General Medical Council) — Licensed Doctors must revalidate every 5 years, by having annual appraisals based on the GMC Guidance for Doctors: Good Medical Practice. |
JUNIOR DOCTORS' CONTRACT - JUDICIAL REVIEW
The BMA has announced it is launching a judicial review over what it calls the ‘embarrassing’ revelation that the Government failed to carry out an equality impact assessment before imposing a new contract on junior doctors in England.
It has also announced three more 48-hour strikes in March and April, during which junior doctors will only provide emergency care.
Junior Doctor leaders said that the failure to undertake an equality impact assessment was ’yet another example of the incompetence which the Government has demonstrated throughout its handling of this dispute’.
The BMA has announced it is launching a judicial review over what it calls the ‘embarrassing’ revelation that the Government failed to carry out an equality impact assessment before imposing a new contract on junior doctors in England.
It has also announced three more 48-hour strikes in March and April, during which junior doctors will only provide emergency care.
Junior Doctor leaders said that the failure to undertake an equality impact assessment was ’yet another example of the incompetence which the Government has demonstrated throughout its handling of this dispute’.
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Here's the table of worst performers on this measure, with all types of trust included. As ever, Ambulance Trusts perform badly on staff experience. The full survey results will be published shortly. |
NHS IMPROVEMENT IS BEING FORMED BY JOINING THE NHS TRUST DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND MONITOR
Bob Alexander, currently NHS TDA Interim Deputy chief executive, will be one of two Deputy Chief Executives of NHS Improvement, and will also be its Director of Resources.
He has previously held Finance Director roles at the TDA, Department of Health, and Strategic Health Authorities. Stephen Hay, currently Monitor Interim Deputy Chief, will be a second NHS Improvement Deputy Chief, and its Director of Regulation. He has been a Director at Monitor since 2014.
Bob Alexander, currently NHS TDA Interim Deputy chief executive, will be one of two Deputy Chief Executives of NHS Improvement, and will also be its Director of Resources.
He has previously held Finance Director roles at the TDA, Department of Health, and Strategic Health Authorities. Stephen Hay, currently Monitor Interim Deputy Chief, will be a second NHS Improvement Deputy Chief, and its Director of Regulation. He has been a Director at Monitor since 2014.
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DOWNSIZES
George Osborne announced cuts to the DH’s budget last year. The Department is trying to reduce its running costs by 30 per cent over the next five years. In November, the Chancellor announced substantial cuts to non-NHS England health budgets, including the “Whitehall budget” of the DH, as part of cuts across government.
The number of non-senior DH staff will be cut from 1,800 to 1,200-1,300 by April 2017. This process will begin this Autumn.
- Department of Health to cut up to 650 jobs
- DH will relocate staff from three London offices, including Richmond House, to new premises at 39 Victoria Street
- Job cuts and estate consolidation designed to help DH reduce its costs by 30 per cent
George Osborne announced cuts to the DH’s budget last year. The Department is trying to reduce its running costs by 30 per cent over the next five years. In November, the Chancellor announced substantial cuts to non-NHS England health budgets, including the “Whitehall budget” of the DH, as part of cuts across government.
The number of non-senior DH staff will be cut from 1,800 to 1,200-1,300 by April 2017. This process will begin this Autumn.
