Joining up health and social care

This report from the Audit Commission says that at a time when the whole of the public sector must find significant savings, integrated working across health and social care offers opportunities for efficiencies and improvements to services. It offers guidance to local partnerships, setting out a list of questions to consider, and suggestions for interventions that might help.

Integrated care for patients and populations: Improving outcomes by working together

The DoH approached The King’s Fund and Nuffield Trust for help in supporting the development of its national strategy on integrated care. The resulting report recommends amongst others that patients with complex needs should be guaranteed an entitlement to an agreed care plan, a named case manager responsible for co-ordinating care, access to telehealth and telecare and a personal health budget where appropriate

Improving picture of bowel cancer care

A new audit shows that the overall care for bowel cancer patients in England in Wales is improving. However the report also says that late presentation as an acute case remains an issue and contributes significantly to the overall mortality figure. These patients would benefit if consultants led their care from the moment they enter the hospital.

Atlas maps out variation in NHS

The latest edition of the NHS Atlas of Variation compares the amount each PCT spends on clinical services with the health outcomes patients see.

Children and young people's health - where next?

Significant improvements in child health have been made over the last five years, but unless children’s and young people’s needs are brought into focus, the current reforms have the potential to undo much of this good work. This report outlines the key priorities for child health as the NHS reforms are implemented.

Pulmonary rehabilitation guide for commissioners

New guide for commissioners and providers of pulmonary rehabilitation services (PR) as part of an integrated COPD service from the British Thoracic Society and Primary Care Respiratory Society-UK.

Telehealth trial shows early success

The early headline findings of this RCT focusing on telehealth for COPD, diabetes and heart disease indicates that if used correctly telehealth can save lives and help plan care for people with Long term conditions.

Healthcare teams urged to set up young adult clinics

Healthcare teams that provide services for young adults with long term conditions are being urged to set up specialist clinics, to help improve the health outcomes. Quality improvement organisation NHS Kidney Care has launched a new film that highlights the benefits of young adult clinics for patients on dialysis and those who have had a transplant.

Services for people with neurological conditions

This study focuses on the health and social care services for adults with neurological conditions resulting from disease It says that overall, the achievement of the quality requirements within the National Service Framework for Long-term Conditions has been poor.

The search for low-cost integrated healthcare

This paper examines the Alzira model, a pioneering approach to the provision of integrated healthcare through public-private partnership. This paper examines the aims and components of the model in light of the current challenges facing the NHS in England.