Emergency day surgery: Improving productivity and reducing bed days

This case study is about improving the management of patients with minor emergency surgical conditions by assessing them and admitting them if possible as emergency day cases the following day.

Quarter of physicians say continuity of care is poor in their hospital

A new survey from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) found that over a quarter (28%) of consultant physicians surveyed rate their hospital’s ability to deliver continuity of care as poor or very poor.

Better care for patients

Examples from around the country highlight that during the first year of emerging clinical commissioning groups redesigning services, patients are starting to experience improvements in quality of care.

Innovative online system helps empower patients with long term conditions

The report from NHS Kidney Care presents the findings of a comprehensive evaluation carried out on the usage of Renal PatientView (RPV), a secure internet-based system that enables people with kidney disease to view their test results online, and to input some self-collected data such as weight and blood pressure readings.

New report sets out critical success factors for delivering high quality end of life care

A new report by the National End of Life Care Programme highlights good practice and identifies the critical success factors associated with improving end of life care and enabling a person to die in the place of their choice.

Transforming end-of-life care in acute hospitals

The framework highlights best practice models developed by acute hospital trusts, providing a framework to enable hospitals to deliver high quality care to people at the end of life.

Rare diseases consultation

Earlier diagnosis of a rare condition and better coordinated care will help improve the quality of life for people with rare diseases and their families, according to the first ever UK plan on rare diseases, for which the DoH has launched a consultation.

Healthy competition: successful health reform

This report from Reform presents ten case studies, each of which shows how radical change in the delivery of healthcare can reduce or improve patient safety.

Service reconfiguration and the health bill

This briefing from the King’s Fund focuses on the implications of the health and social care bill for service reconfigurations.