Public remain wedded to NHS funding model says new research

The public remain firmly wedded to the fundamental principles underpinning the NHS but under certain circumstances could support the introduction of charges for some treatments and services, suggests a new report.

NHS England publishes generic commissioning policies

NHS England has published a number of interim generic policies, ensuring fair and consistent decision-making across its direct commissioning function.  The 14 policies cover all aspects of NHS England’s direct commissioning responsibilities including specialised services, primary care, screening, military and offender health.

Kings Fund’s 10 priorities for commissioners

The King’s Fund has revised its paper setting out 10 priorities for commissioners in the new NHS.     The update reflects changes in the healthcare system since 1 April.

Setting up teledermatology services: new guidance for commissioners

Store and forward teledermatology offers the potential for experienced dermatology clinicians to review images and ensure patients are seen at the right time, in the right place, first time. A new document created by key stakeholders and opinion leaders reviews the evidence and provides guidance.

New kidney disease profiles help CCGs drive up service quality

A new set of resources has been launched to help clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) provide high quality kidney services.  NHS Kidney Care has produced a kidney disease profile for each of the 211 CCGs.  These are intended to help CCGs and other stakeholders, such as GPs and service providers, assess local kidney care need and current service levels in order to inform planning. 

Best practice for managing medicines shortages in secondary care

These standards provide advice to NHS hospitals in England in managing medicines shortages at local level to minimise any risks to patients through delays to treatment. 

New NICE quality standards

NICE has published new quality standards on the management of hypertension and on the diagnosis and treatment of asthma.

Making integrated care happen at scale and pace

The King’s Fund has published a paper on integrated care summarising 16 steps that need to be taken to make integrated care a reality and provide examples of good practice.

Commissioning diabetes services - an integrated care framework

NHS Diabetes has published Best Practice for Commissioning Diabetes Services. It aims to ensure that people with diabetes have access to a joined up service from the time of diagnosis, through more complex management.

Industry partnerships in respiratory health

Partners in Delivery is a practical guide that sets out the various models of partnership working with pharmaceutical and the wider healthcare industry with case studies from the DH respiratory programme.

Managing exacerbations in COPD toolkit

NHS Improvement – Lung worked with a number of sites to develop alternative approaches and models of care to improve the services available to patients.