“Care needs to be just as important as treatment” says report

Pathway through a forest

This practical guidance has been written to help commissioners, service providers, nurses, medical, and allied health professionals, understand the difference care and compassion can make to the service experience of frail older people, and also to the financial situation of health and social care organisations. The guide covers the following themes: Reducing healthcare-related harm Care [read the full story…]

Combination of clinical and managerial expertise transform local healthcare, case studies demonstrate

Three trees, shaped as heads, during different seasons

This collection of case studies is aimed at all people involved in the development and delivery of quality health services, in particular, commissioners, local authorities, voluntary sectors, and health professionals in all settings, including primary and secondary care. Some of the CCGs are also working with organisations from the retail sector, for example John Lewis. [read the full story…]

“To fulfil its constitution, the NHS must continue to provide a comprehensive, excellent service, available to all”, says report

Underground station sign saying mind the gap

The NHS faces an increasing funding gap and a conflict between supply and demand. The constitution says that the NHS must provide a high quality service for everyone. However, the population is growing, and people are living longer, so how can the NHS continue to do more with less? Monitor believes that getting better “health [read the full story…]

“NHS must be more responsive to the needs and wishes of the public”, says guide

Broadcasting tower

Time and time again, research has shown that involving patients and carers in the treatment decision-making process is beneficial to all involved as it improves compliance, patient satisfaction and experience, and ultimately reduces cost for the service as a whole. So, it is crucial that commissioners take this into account when designing and procuring services. [read the full story…]

“Healthcare commissioning has the potential to tackle inequalities” according to briefing

Four hands pointing

Introduction This briefing has been prepared for clinical commissioners, commissioning managers, and everyone who works with multi-ethnic populations. It combines the findings from the Sheffield Hallam University project “Evidence and Ethnicity in Commissioning (EEiC) with other research, and practical experience. The aim of the Briefing is to demonstrate how health organisations can improve commissioning for [read the full story…]

“Investment in patient improves outcomes and reduces costs” according to research

The word "Quality" highlighed

Introduction This report, published by the Patient Information Forum (PIF) and its accompanying briefings, is aimed at policy makers, commissioners, and information specialists. It is informed by 300 research papers and experts in the area of patient information, including representatives from NHS Choices, General Practice, Informed Medical Decisions Foundation, the Health Foundation, and the Information [read the full story…]

Commissioners’ priorities for improving the NHS

Chrysalis butterfly

Introduction This document is relevant to commissioners, public health, local authorities, Clinical Commissioning Groups, and Health and Wellbeing Boards. Originally published in March 2011, it has been updated due to the changes taking place in the NHS as of 1st April 2013. The changes involve more than £65 billion of public money, representing the NHS [read the full story…]