Thursday 31 October 2013

Health and wellbeing boards: one year on

"Relationships between clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and local authorities are reported to be very good and getting better and have withstood a demanding year of complex organisational change and mounting pressures on services and budgets."

Health and wellbeing boards: one year on
R Humphries, A Galea
The King's Fund
October 2013

Read more here.

Proactive case management using the community virtual ward and the Devon Predictive Model

"Age-related chronic and complex medical conditions account for the largest and growing share of health care budgets in all industrialised nations."

South Devon and Torbay: Proactive case management using the community virtual ward and the Devon Predictive Model
L Sonola, V Thiel, N Goodwin, DL Kodner
The King's Fund
October 2013

Read more here.

A framework for assessing health system resilience in an economic crisis

"The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for assessing the resilience of health systems in terms of how they have adjusted to economic crisis."

A framework for assessing health system resilience in an economic crisis: Ireland as a test case
S Thomas, C Keegan, S Barry, R Layte, M Jowett, C Normand
BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13:450

Read more here.

Co-Commissioning and delivery of healthcare services in prisons in England.

"This agreement sets out the shared strategic intent and joint commitment for the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) and NHS England (formerly the NHS Commissioning Board (NHS CB)) to work together for the purposes of co-commissioning and delivering healthcare services, supported by Public Health England (PHE) in adult prisons in England."

National partnership agreement between: The National Offender Management Service, NHS England and Public Health England for the co-commissioning and delivery of healthcare services in prisons in England
NHS England
October 2013

Read more here.

Read a summary from the Commissioning Elf here.

Wednesday 30 October 2013

BMA Position Paper: 7-day services

"We set out in this paper, what we understand to be the various drivers for the move to more 7-day services, what this means in practical terms, particularly in relation to doctors and their ability to provide high quality patient care, and where the BMA is positioned."

BMA Position Paper: 7-day services
British Medical Association
October 2013

Read more here.

Taking safety on board: the board's role in patient safety

"The paper looks at three main areas: the board’s core roles in relation to patient safety; how boards might deliver these roles; and the optimal relationship between board leadership, clinical leadership and regulatory oversight."

Taking safety on board: the board's role in patient safety
A Fresko, S Rubenstein
The Health Foundation
October 2013

Read more here.

Care leaver strategy

"Care leavers should expect the same level of care and support that other young people get from their parent."

Care leaver strategy: a cross-departmental strategy for young people leaving care
HM Government
October 2013

Read more here.

A review of the NHS hospitals complaints system putting patients back in the picture

"This Review was instigated by the Prime Minister to consider the handling of concerns and complaints in NHS hospital care in England."

A review of the NHS hospitals complaints system putting patients back in the picture
A Clwyd, T Hart
HM Government
October 2013

Read more here.

Sunday 27 October 2013

Lessons from Europe: assuring quality through regulation

"This Briefing highlights approaches to quality assurance taken in Germany and the Netherlands. It identifies lessons for NHS leaders and policymakers in England on how to approach the challenge of regulating effectively for quality, as the current regulatory system is being reconsidered."

Lessons from Europe: assuring quality through regulation
Health Services Research Network
NHS Confederation
October 2013

Read more here.

Friday 25 October 2013

Co-ordinated care for people with complex chronic conditions

"Based on a comparative analysis of five UK-based case studies of care co-ordination programmes for people with long-term and complex chronic conditions, this report examines key lessons and markers for success in the ‘how’ of care co-ordination that might be transferable to different contexts and settings."

Co-ordinated care for people with complex chronic conditions: key lessons and markers for success
N Goodwin, L Sonola, V Thiel, DL Kodner
The King's Fund
October 2013

Read more here.

Modelling factors in primary care quality improvement

"High-quality primary care, including aspects of access to and continuity of care, detection and management, appears to be associated with reducing coronary heart disease mortality."

Modelling factors in primary care quality improvement: a cross-sectional study of premature CHD mortality
K Honeyford, R Baker, MJG Bankart, D Jones
BMJ Open, 2013, 3:e003391

Read more here.

Lessons from Europe: the value of tariff design

"Payment systems are an important policy tool for improving quality and efficiency, but they have limitations."

Lessons from Europe: the value of tariff design
Health Services Research Network
NHS Confederation
October 2013

Read more here.

Identifying risks and monitoring safety: the role of patients and citizens

"The paper discusses opportunities for patients, their families and carers, as well as the wider public, to become part of an integrated system for ensuring the safety of care."

Identifying risks and monitoring safety: the role of patients and citizens
J O'Hara, R Isden
The Health Foundation
October 2013

Read more here.

Measuring and monitoring safety: an acute care perspective

"This thought paper offers reflections on the measurement and monitoring of safety from the perspective of a practising clinician based at a busy district general hospital."

Measuring and monitoring safety: an acute care perspective
C Peden
The Health Foundation
October 2013

Read more here.

Measuring and monitoring safety: a primary care perspective

"This thought paper considers the differences between primary care and other settings and explains that a variety of factors mean that assessing harm and safety in primary care remains a challenge."

Measuring and monitoring safety: a primary care perspective
A Esmail
The Health Foundation
October 2013

Read more here.

Asymmetry of influence: the role of regulators in patient safety

"By working together to create conditions which promote engagement with professional responsibility and identity, regulators can create a consistent regulatory system within which safe care can flourish."

Asymmetry of influence: the role of regulators in patient safety
D Bilton, H Cayton
The Health Foundation
October 2013

Read more here.

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Qualitative assessment of visitor and migrant use of the NHS in England

"These 2 reports, commissioned by the Department of Health, provide evidence of the impact overseas visitors and migrants are having in GP practices and NHS hospitals."

Access these reports here.

Good governance for prison health in the 21st century

"Prisoners mostly come from socially disadvantaged segments of the community and carry a higher burden of communicable and noncommunicable diseases compared with people in the general population."

Good governance for prison health in the 21st century: a policy brief on the organization of prison health
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, World Health Organization
October 2013

Read more here.

Starting today: the future of mental health services

"The economic impact of poor mental health is estimated to be over £100 billion to the economy each year in England alone. Yet despite this, we know that the care and treatment that we offer people with mental health problems is variable - many people with mental health problems have trouble accessing services; interventions are not always effective; services can be poor at providing a holistic response to people’s needs, for instance neglecting people’s physical health; and many simply get no help at all (some do not seek it, or give up trying due to difficulties accessing help)."

Starting today: the future of mental health services
Mental Health Foundation
September 2013

Read more here.

The state of medical education and practice in the UK report

"This year we have focused on complaints to the GMC to see if we can understand more about them and whether they can help us identify areas of risk within medical practice."

The state of medical education and practice in the UK report
General Medical Council
October 2013

Read more here.

Measuring the impact of caregiving on informal carers

"The CarerQol can be used in informal care research and economic evaluations of health care interventions. Hence, its use can facilitate informed decision making in health care."

Measuring the impact of caregiving on informal carers: a construct validation study of the CarerQol instrument
RJ Hoefman, J van Exel, Werner BF Brouwer
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 2013, 11:173

Read more here.

The effects of improving hospital physicians working conditions on patient care

"This study demonstrates that participatory work design for hospital physicians is a promising intervention for improving working conditions and promoting patient quality of care."

The effects of improving hospital physicians working conditions on patient care: a prospective, controlled intervention study
M Weigl, S Hornung, P Angerer, J Siegrist, J Glaser
BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13:401

Read more here.

Improvement of care for the physical health of patients with severe mental illness

"Three major themes emerged: needs of patients with severe mental illness differ from the general population; professional roles and collaboration; and health monitoring and supporting a healthy lifestyle."

Improvement of care for the physical health of patients with severe mental illness: a qualitative study assessing the view of patients and families
FM van Hasselt, M JT Oud, AJM Loonen
BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13:426

Read more here.

Thursday 17 October 2013

How Ealing Health Networks can contribute to efficient and quality healthcare

"We describe how the formation of Health Networks in Ealing leads to improved outcomes for patients by the coordination of the care they receive by health and social care professionals."

How Ealing Health Networks can contribute to efficient and quality healthcare
R Chandok, N Unadkat, L Nasir, L Evans, P Thomas
London Journal of Primary Care, 2013, 5:62-4

Read more here.

Managing financial difficulties in health economies

"This research provides insight into the causes of, and reactions to, financial difficulty and the types of factors that have helped and hindered health economies in addressing deficits."

Managing financial difficulties in health economies: lessons for clinical commissioning groups
N Curry, B Rumbold, R Edwards, S Arora
Nuffield Trust
October 2013

Read more here.

Patient-initiated questions: how can doctors encourage them and improve the consultation process?

"This study highlights the importance of careful explanation of diagnostic evidence as a factor contributing to increased patient involvement."

Patient-initiated questions: how can doctors encourage them and improve the consultation process? A qualitative study
GM Murtagh, L Furber, AL Thomas
BMJ Open, 2013, 3:e003112

Read more here.

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Delivering improved healthcare in Warrington: the NHS Right Care approach

This report describes how the Warrington Health Economy used NHS Right Care approaches to improve their service delivery.

Delivering improved healthcare in Warrington: the NHS Right Care approach
C McKay, M Cripps
RightCare Casebook
September 2013

Read more here.

Revalidation: the early experiences and views of responsible officers from London

"The King’s Fund was commissioned by what is now the NHS England (London region) Revalidation Team to carry out a small research study to capture the experiences and reflections of Responsible Officers in London."

Revalidation: the early experiences and views of responsible officers from London
The King's Fund
October 2013

Read more here.

Health literacy and health information producers

"Health literacy is broadly about an individual’s ability to make sound health decisions in the context of everyday life and as such, it is an important aspect of their capacity to manage their health and care."

Health literacy and health information producers: report of the findings of a UK wide survey of information producers and providers
Patient Information Forum
October 2013

Read more here.

A fresh start for the regulation and inspection of adult social care

"Regulation has an important role to play in making sure that services provide safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care."

A fresh start for the regulation and inspection of adult social care
Care Quality Commission
October 2013

Read more here.

Adopt, improve or defend - an AID for QIPP

"Commissioners in Wigan have embedded a systematic approach to achieve challenging QIPP targets by identifying and addressing variations in local healthcare."

Adopt, improve or defend - an AID for QIPP
C Melling, W Sanders, M Cripps
RightCare Casebook
September 2013

Read more here.

Incorporating evidence review into quality improvement

"Without objective evidence review, innovators may miss previously tested approaches, rely on biased information, or use personal preferences in designing and implementing local QI programmes."

Incorporating evidence review into quality improvement: meeting the needs of innovators
M Sherwood Danz, S Hempel, YW Lim, et al.
BMJ Quality and Safety, 2013, 22:931-939

Read more here.

Monday 14 October 2013

Healthcare technologies, quality improvement programs and hospital organizational culture in Canadian hospitals

"The usage of quality improvement programs is related to the ability to implement technology and the culture within a hospital."

Healthcare technologies, quality improvement programs and hospital organizational culture in Canadian hospitals
RK Tyagi, L Cook, J Olson, J Belohlav
BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13:413

Read more here.

How to get better value health care for patients

"The available evidence indicates a range of opportunities to make significant recurrent productivity gains across the NHS by 2021 and beyond."

Closing the NHS funding gap: how to get better value health care for patients
Monitor
October 2013

Read more here.

Read a summary from the Commissioning Elf here.

Government response to the House of Commons Health Select Committee Report into Urgent and Emergency Services

"There is a pressing need for clearer information to be produced which can detail where urgent care cases present across the system and the case mix of urgent patient presentations; it is also important to monitor waiting times for urgent and emergency services in order to ensure that services are accessible to patients in urgent need of care."

Government response to the House of Commons Health Select Committee Report into Urgent and Emergency Services (Second Report of Session 2013-14)
Department of Health
October 2013

Read more here.

Knowledge strategy: harnessing the power of information to improve the public’s health

"The Chief Knowledge Officer (CKO) directorate aims to deliver an internationally recognised, high performing knowledge and intelligence service encompassing research, statistics and know-how."

Knowledge strategy: harnessing the power of information to improve the public’s health
Public Health England
October 2013

Read more here.

Close to home recommendations review

"A major concern is that the low rates paid under some local authority contracts could make it difficult for providers to meet the assessed needs of older people in ways that protect their human rights."

Close to home recommendations review
Equality and Human Rights Commission
October 2013

Read more here.

ICTs and the health sector

"This book examines the whole new world of possibilities in using mobiles and the Internet to address healthcare challenges."

ICTs and the health sector: towards smarter health and wellness models
OECD
2013

Read more here.

Knowledge translation strategies to improve the use of evidence in public health decision making in local government

This knowledge translation intervention "provides significant insights into how practitioners might engage with evidence in public health decision making."

Knowledge translation strategies to improve the use of evidence in public health decision making in local government: intervention design and implementation plan
R Armstrong, et al.
Implementation Science, 2013, 8:121

Read more here.

Thursday 10 October 2013

Factors affecting physician professional satisfaction

"We found that, when physicians perceived themselves as providing high-quality care or their practices as facilitating their delivery of such care, they reported better professional satisfaction."

Factors affecting physician professional satisfaction and their implications for patient care, health systems, and health policy
MW Friedberg, et al
RAND Corporation
2013

Read more here.

Health on the high street

"This paper discusses how best public health services might be commissioned from community pharmacy within the new system architecture."

Health on the high street: rethinking the role of community pharmacy
NHS Confederation
October 2013

Read more here.

Towards an NHS payment system that does more for patients

"If commissioners pay providers of NHS services too little, they won’t be able to afford to give the high standards of care that patients need and have the right to expect. If commissioners pay providers too much, they may lose focus on keeping their costs under control. We also won’t get as much care as we could for the amount of taxpayers’ money that is being spent."

Towards an NHS payment system that does more for patients
Monitor, NHS England
October 2013

Read more here.

Stretched to the limit: a survey of emergency medicine consultants in the UK

"This report, the first of its kind, describes the working practices of consultants and other senior decision makers in the Emergency Department (ED), the pressures they face and the impact on their working lives."

Stretched to the limit: a survey of emergency medicine consultants in the UK
TB Hassan, B Walker, M Harrison, F Rae
The College of Emergency Medicine
October 2013

Read more here.

Is the quality of care in England getting better?

"This paper is a summary of the first annual statement from the QualityWatch programme. It is not comprehensive but provides an overview of our initial research into the quality of publicly-funded health and social care services in England."

Is the quality of care in England getting better?
The Health Foundation, Nuffield Trust
October 2013

Read more here.

Focus on preventable admissions

"This study examined the pattern of admissions across England for people with ambulatory care sensitive conditions over the 12-year period from 2001 to 2013 as an indicator of how well primary and preventive care were working to reduce emergency admissions."

Focus on preventable admissions
I Blunt
QualityWatch
The Health Foundation, Nuffield Trust
October 2013

Read more here.

Focus on hip fracture

"Providing good-quality care for hip fractures will become of increasing importance due to an ageing population and the corresponding rise in hip fracture incidence. This analysis explores the quality and outcomes of treatment by looking at ten years of hospital inpatient activity data in England."

Focus on hip fracture: trends in emergency admissions for fractured neck of femur, 2001 to 2011
P Smith, C Ariti, M Bardsley
QualityWatch
The Health Foundation, Nuffield Trust
October 2013

Read more here.

Measuring harm

"This was the third in a series of roundtable discussions looking at potential future improvements in patient safety involving a broad approach which:

  • incorporates greater involvement of patients and citizens in their own safety and the safer design of services
  • measures and monitors the multiple dimensions that make up a safety culture
  • develops ‘leading’ (before the event) as well as ‘lagging’ (after the event) performance measures to more 
  • accurately assess the current experience of people using healthcare services."
Measuring harm: a summary of learning from a Health Foundation roundtable
The Health Foundation
October 2013

Read more here.

Effects of improving hospital physicians working conditions on patient care

"This study demonstrates that participatory work design for hospital physicians is a promising intervention for improving working conditions and promoting patient quality of care."

The effects of improving hospital physicians working conditions on patient care: a prospective, controlled intervention study
M Weigl, S Hornung, P Angerer, J Siegrist, J Glaser
BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13:401

Read more here.

Educational outreach visits to improve venous thromboembolism prevention in hospitalised medical patients

"Educational outreach visiting is effective at improving doctors' provision of pharmacological VTE prophylaxis to hospitalised medical patients. It was also found to be an acceptable implementation strategy by the majority of participants; however, it was resource intensive requiring on average 92 minutes per visit."

Educational outreach visits to improve venous thromboembolism prevention in hospitalised medical patients: a prospective before-and-after intervention study
J Duff, A Omari, S Middleton, E McInnes, K Walker
BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13:398

Read more here.

Tuesday 8 October 2013

Leading health care innovation

This is a collaboration of the editors of the Harvard Business Review and the New England Journal of Medicine, providing an eight-week online forum devoted to helping leaders, managers, and others in health care increase value by improving patient outcomes and reducing costs. Find out more here.


Commissioning for value

Commissioning for Value is a collaboration between NHS  Right Care, NHS England and Public Health England. The programme is about identifying priority programmes which offer the best opportunities to improve healthcare for your populations – improving the value that patients receive from their healthcare and improving the value that populations receive from investment in their local health system. Find out more here.

Journey into the world of patient experience

"Communication between provider and patient, and between providers, was a significant theme. People wanted to be dealt with directly and clearly, and they wanted to be assured that their multiple providers were talking to each other directly and clearly too."

Journey into the world of patient experience: lessons learned and projects underway
C Fooks
The Change Foundation
September 2013

Read more here.

Primary healthcare in transition

"This qualitative study shows the complexity of the system change and describes the different effects and perceptions of the transition from a manager's perspective. "

Primary healthcare in transition -- a qualitative study of how managers perceived a system change
A Maun, K Nilsson, C Furaker, J Thorn
BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13:382

Read more here.

Thursday 3 October 2013

NICE QIPP Shared Learning Examples

Two new QIPP Shared Learning Examples have been published on the NICE website:


To find out more about submitting a shared learning example visit here.

Delivering better services for people with long-term conditions

"The management of care for people with long-term conditions should be proactive, holistic, preventive and patient-centred."

Delivering better services for people with long-term conditions
A Coulter, S Roberts, A Dixon
The King's Fund
October 2013

Read more here.

Wednesday 2 October 2013

Good practice in joint health and wellbeing strategies

"This self-evaluation tool provides guidance on good practice in planning, developing and delivering Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategies based around key questions to consider and top tips on approaches that might be taken."

Good practice in joint health and wellbeing strategies: a self-evaluation tool for health and wellbeing boards
NHS Confederation
September 2013

Read more here.

A National Health Service for patients

"This paper proposes that Patient-led Commissioning Groups (PCGs) be allowed to set up alongside existing Clinical Commissioning Groups, in order to establish the accountability of the NHS to patients and the public."

A National Health Service for patients
A Howes
Civitas
September 2013

Read more here.