Health reform update
Next steps outlined
'Health reform in England: update and next steps' was published in December and shows how the key elements of reform join together.
It was followed in January by The NHS in England: the operating framework for 2006/2007 which details the specific arrangements for the forthcoming year. This includes details of Payment by Results and the tariff, the development of practice-based commissioning, including more guidance, and choice.
New practice-based commissioning guidance
The Department of Health has published Practice-based commissioning (PBC): achieving universal coverage', which explains how universal coverage of PBC will be achieved by 31 December 2006.
A supporting document highlighting successful examples of PBC has also been distributed with this bulletin.
Views invited on NHS trusts' reconfiguration
Strategic health authorities want feedback from staff, patients and carers on proposed reductions in the number of authorities and PCTs, plus possible changes to their boundaries, to support better commissioning.
For more details contact your SHA.
Patient choice becomes a reality
GPs are being asked by the Department of Health to explain to patients what options they now have when they are referred for treatment.
As of 1 January, patients have the right to choose between at least four hospitals or clinics for specialist treatment. Patients can also get information about what choices are available to them from their local PCT, including a leaflet distributed through GP practices and an 'at-a-glance' poster.
