Four principles for a better public sector

"Innovative governments are making it easier for citizens to access public services."

Government by design: four principles for a better public sector
D Farrell, A Goodman
McKinsey & Company
December 2013

Read more here.

Diabetes: State of the Nation England 2013

"In the best area four times more people get the checks they need than in the worst."

State of the nation England 2013
Diabetes UK
December 2013

Read more here.

Hard truths: essential actions

"The focus on measuring safety is welcome, but measures should be developed to assess the future risk of harm, not just the occurrence of past harm."

Hard truths: essential actions
The Health Foundation
December 2013

Read more here.

Using clinical communities to improve quality

"If there is one thing that we have learned about improving quality over the past 10 years, it is the importance of clinical leadership and engagement."

Using clinical communities to improve quality
Health Foundation
December 2013

Read more here.

Improving access to health care for Gypsies and Travellers, homeless people and sex workers

"This guide aims to provide professionals with the following:

• an overview of the health needs of these three vulnerable groups in society
• practical support to help commissioners to build the understanding of local needs into the Joint
• Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) and Health and Wellbeing Strategies (HWBS)
• sample models of how services can meet needs to inform commissioning and local service
• provision, looking at both health-only and more holistic initiatives"

Improving access to health care for Gypsies and Travellers, homeless people and sex workers
P Gill, U MacLeod, H Lester, A Hegenbarth
Royal College of General Practitioners Clinical Innovation and Research Centre
September 2013

Read more here.

Systematic reviews for informing policy decisions

"This guide is a short introduction for decision-makers and researchers or anyone else considering whether a systematic review may be appropriate to fill a gap in knowledge or to use as a resource. It will help anybody planning on commissioning a review of what research is already out there. You may be an analyst, evaluator, policymaker or commissioner."

Learning from research: systematic reviews for informing policy decisions
D Gough, S Oliver, J Thomas
Alliance for Useful Evidence
EPPI-Centre, Social Science Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of London
December 2013

Read more here.

Community engagement to reduce inequalities in health

"Community engagement has been advanced as a promising way of improving health and reducing health inequalities; however, the approach is not yet supported by a strong evidence base."

Community engagement to reduce inequalities in health: a systematic review, meta-analysis and economic analysis
A O'Mara-Eves, G Brunton, D McDaid, S Oliver, J Kavanagh, F Jamal, et al.
NHS National Institute for Health Research
Public Health Research, 4(1), November 2013

Read more here.

Right Care commissioning Resource Centre

Right Care have brought together a range of resources to support the work of commissioners. The Resource Centre includes:

• Casebooks
• Online learning videos
• CCG SPOT Tool
• Commissioning for Value packs
• Population Healthcare Glossary
• Essential reading

Access these resources here.

Housing and public health in England

"Public health colleagues may find it helpful to reflect on the realities of working in local authority housing teams, where life is not necessarily easy."

Under one roof? Housing and public health in England
Ed Harding
Housing Learning and Improvement Network
December 2013

Read more here.

Toward new models for innovative governance of biomedicine and health technologies

"To efficiently translate biomedicine and health technologies from the laboratory bench to the bedside, governance frameworks are having to change to take into account the complexity of the field, using new (and often) iterative regulatory processes."

Toward new models for innovative governance of biomedicine and health technologies
OECD Science, Technology and Industry Policy Papers No.11
December 2013

Read more here.

Features of effective medical knowledge resources to support point of care learning

"We identified nine features that influence users' selection of knowledge resources, namely efficiency (with sub-features of comprehensiveness, searchability, and brevity), integration with clinical workflow, credibility, user familiarity, capacity to identify a human expert, reflection of local care processes, optimization for the clinical question (e.g., diagnosis, treatment options, drug side effect), currency, and ability to support patient education."

Features of effective medical knowledge resources to support point of care learning: a focus group study
DA Cook, KJ Sorensen, W Hersh, RA Berger, JM Wilkinson
PLOS One, 25th November 2013

Read more here.

Improving outcomes: a strategy for cancer

"The main focus of the Improving outcomes: a strategy for cancer, was around improving cancer survival through earlier diagnosis of cancer and improved access to the best possible treatment."

Improving outcomes: a strategy for cancer - third annual report
Department of Health, Public Health England, NHS England
December 2013

Read more here.

G8 dementia summit declaration

"We acknowledge the on-going work occurring in our countries and globally to identify dementia as a major disease burden and to address issues related to ageing and mental health."

G8 dementia summit declaration
G8 UK
December 2013

Read more here.

No health without mental health

"The ‘No health without mental health’ strategy sets clear objectives to improve mental health outcomes."

No health without mental health: Mental health dashboard
Department of Health
December 2013

Read more here.

An exploration of the early development of Clinical Commissioning Groups in the English NHS

"This early study raises some important issues and concerns, including the risk that the different bodies to whom CCGs are accountable will have differing (or conflicting) agendas, and the lack of clarity over the operation of sanction regimes."

Accountable to whom, for what? An exploration of the early development of Clinical Commissioning Groups in the English NHS
K Checkland, P Allen, A Coleman, J Segar, I McDermott, S Harrison, C Petsoulas, S Peckham
BMJ Open, 2013, 3:e003769

Read more here.

New models of primary care: practical lessons from early implementers

"This event report summarises three Nuffield Trust seminars that took place to discuss three of the new organisational models described in Securing the Future of General Practice (Smith and others, 2013). These models aim to balance the benefits of small and local organisations with the scale and capacity to improve quality and deliver a wider range of services."

New models of primary care: practical lessons from early implementers
R Rosen, H Parker
Nuffield Trust
December 2013

Read more here.

Read Securing the future of general practice here.

Briefing: The Care Bill second reading in the House of Commons

"While The King’s Fund welcomes the Bill as an important stepping stone to wider reform of care and support, it will not solve the social care funding challenge, nor will it deliver the change needed to meet future health and care needs."

Briefing: The Care Bill second reading in the House of Commons
The King's Fund
December 2013

Read more here.

Improving the public's health: a resource for local authorities

"This resource presents information on evidence-based actions that can help local authorities increase the impact of their activities on health – and demonstrate that impact to others."

Improving the public's health: a resource for local authorities
D Buck, S Gregory
The King's Fund
December 2013

Read more here.

Hospital readmission performance and patterns of readmission

"These findings suggest that lower readmission rates might best be achieved through use of general strategies and capacities that lower readmission risk globally rather than for specific diagnoses or time periods after admission."

Hospital readmission performance and patterns of readmission: retrospective cohort study of Medicare admissions
K Dharmarajan, et al.
British Medical Journal, 2013, 347:f6571

Read more here.

Sharing health information: toward better, safer care

"Having shared access to patients’ health information means health professionals in primary care – such as GPs, pharmacists and community nurses – can work more closely and effectively in multi-disciplinary teams with doctors, nurses and specialists in hospitals."

Sharing health information: toward better, safer care
Ministry of Health, New Zealand
November 2013

Read more here.

Patient-centredness in integrated healthcare delivery systems

"If providers and payers can take into account patient needs and expectations while implementing innovative healthcare delivery systems, greater acceptance and satisfaction will be achieved."

Patient-centredness in integrated healthcare delivery systems
C Juhnke, AC Muhlbacher
International Journal of Integrated Care, 2013, 13

Read more here.

Towards whole person care

"This paper reviews the case for change in the English health and care system and considers how to move towards a ‘whole person care’ approach."

Towards whole person care
S Bickerstaffe
Institute for Public Policy Research
December 2013

Read more here.

Cancer across the domains: cancer priorities for the new NHS

"The All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer believes the five thematic Domains within NHS England have an important role to play in improving the experiences and outcomes of cancer patients. This report sets out the priorities the APPGC believes NHS England must focus on to deliver these improvements."

Cancer across the domains: cancer priorities for the new NHS
All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer
November 2013

Read more here.

Is the quality of care in England getting better?

"The ability of the health system in England to monitor quality is increasing and, partly in response to the Francis Inquiry, there have been large changes in the range of ways that quality is assessed and measured."

Is the quality of care in England getting better? QualityWatch Annual Statement 2013
The Health Foundation, Nuffield Trust
November 2013

Read more here.

Admissions avoidance and diabetes

"The document emphasises the scale of the clinical and financial problem of diabetes admissions to UK hospitals and commissioners, and describes models shown to reduce variability."

Admissions avoidance and diabetes: guidance for clinical commissioning groups and clinical teams
Joint British Diabetes Societies for Inpatient Care
December 2013

Read more here.

Meeting needs and reducing distress

"The purpose of this guidance is to provide practical strategies to help identify, assess, understand, prevent and manage clinically related challenging behaviour, by preventing or minimising a person’s distress, meeting their needs, and ensuring that high quality care is delivered within a safe environment."

Meeting needs and reducing distress: guidance on the prevention and management of clinically related challenging behaviour in NHS settings
NHS Protect
December 2013

Read more here.

Commissioning for carers 2013

"Carers are one of the most valuable assets within our communities. They are people whose contribution commissioners need to recognise, support and nurture."

Commissioning for carers 2013
Royal College of General Practitioners
May 2013

Read more here.

NHS services - open seven days a week: every day counts

"Building on the case studies which were presented in Equality for All: Delivering safe care - seven days a week, this publication provides further evidence of what can be achieved by sharing the learning that is emerging from across the NHS."

NHS services - open seven days a week: every day counts
NHS Improving Quality
November 2013

Read more here.

Commissioning for prevention

"As part of the Call to Action, NHS England will be publishing a series of thought pieces aimed at stimulating debate with Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and their local partners, and to help them think about changes that could be made to significantly improve the value of healthcare provision in England - that is, to improve outcomes at the same or lower net expenditure. This is the first in that series."

A call to action: commissioning for prevention
Public Health England, NHS England
November 2013

Read more here.

Auditing and improving your mental health services

"A guide to auditing and improving your mental health services so that it is effective in supporting people with autism and people with learning disabilities."

Green Light Toolkit
Department of Health, Mental Health Network NHS Confederation, National Development Team for inclusion
November 2013

Access the toolkit here.

Factors influencing trust in doctors

"Trust in doctors seems to be influenced by the doctor's behaviour, perceived comfort levels, personal involvement with the patient, and to a lesser extent by cultural competence and doctor's physical appearance."

Factors influencing trust in doctors: a community segmentation strategy for quality improvement in healthcare
V Gopichandran, SK Chetlapalli
BMJ Open, 2013:e004115

Read more here.

Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities and dementia - where are we now?

"Very little is known about the prevalence of dementia in the UK black and minority populations despite some of these communities being at higher levels of risk than the indigenous white population."

Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities and dementia - where are we now?
D Truswell
Race Equality Foundation
November 2013

Read more here.

Older people's prevention services

"A challenge remains in how best to help Third Sector Organisations (TSOs) to set clear objectives and demonstrate their impact, without stifling their holistic and needs-driven approach to development and delivery."

Older people's prevention services: comparing perspectives of local authorities and the third sector
National Institute for Health Research
November 2013

Read more here.

Learning disabilities: good practice project

"The project is all about finding places where services for people with learning disabilities are very good. It aims to get people talking to each other to make services better."

Learning disabilities: good practice project
J Hough, K Martin
Department of Health
November 2013

Read more here.

Clinical commissioning and direct commissioning assurance

"The CCG and Direct Commissioning assurance processes have been designed to provide confidence to patients and the wider public that both CCGs and NHS England are operating effectively to commission safe, high-quality and sustainable services within their resources."

Access the frameworks here.

The NHS Atlas of Variation in Diagnostic Services

"Unwarranted variation in the rates of diagnostic testing is of the utmost relevance to individual patients with the over-use, as well as under-use, of diagnostic tests being potentially serious issues."

The NHS Atlas of Variation in Diagnostic Services
NHS Right Care, Public Health England
November 2013

Read more here.

Putting dementia on the map

"Around 670,000 people in England live with dementia – a number which will double in the next 30 years. This map sets out what we currently know about dementia care, support and research across the country."

Putting dementia on the map
Department of Health
November 2013

Access the map here.

Introduction of new technologies and decision making processes

"Introducing new health technologies, including medical devices, into a local setting in a safe, effective, and transparent manner is a complex process, involving many disciplines and players within an organization."

Introduction of new technologies and decision making processes: a framework to adapt a Local Health Technology Decision Support Program for other local settings
P Poulin, L Austen, CM Scott, M Poulin, N Gall, J Seidel, R Lafreniere
Medical Devices: Evidence and Research, 2013, 6:185-193

Read more here.

State of the nation report on dementia care and support in England

"This report sets out what is known about dementia care, support and research. It highlights where improvements are being made and where progress can be seen – it also shows where improvements are needed, including where better data is necessary."

Dementia: A state of the nation report on dementia care and support in England
Department of Health
November 2013

Read more here.

Patient initiated clinics for patients with chronic or recurrent conditions managed in secondary care

"Patient initiated clinics fit the models of care suggested by policy makers and so further research into long term outcomes for patients and service use in this area of practice is both relevant and timely."

Patient initiated clinics for patients with chronic or recurrent conditions managed in secondary care: a systematic review of patient reported outcomes and patient and clinician satisfaction
R Whear, AK Abdul-Rahman, J Thompson-Coon, K Boddy, MG Perry, K Stein
BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13:501

Read more here.

Real teams and their effect on the quality of care in nursing homes

"This study investigates the relationship between teams that meet an academic definition of the team concept and quality of care in nursing homes."

Real teams and their effect on the quality of care in nursing homes
AK Havid, A Skogstad, M Veenstra, TI Romoren
BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13:499

Read more here.

Use of evidence in implementing self-directed support in health care

"While ongoing research will always be important, this report draws attention to the importance of recognising the expertise of patients, focusing on outcomes and expanding traditional notions of innovation."

Doctor knows best? The use of evidence in implementing self-directed support in health care
J Glasby, V Alakeson, S Duffy
University of Birmingham Health Services Management Centre
September 2013

Read more here.

Caring for an ageing population

"We looked beyond our own system to examine how Japan has tried to address the conundrum of providing sufficient and appropriate services for an increasing number of frail older people in an affordable and equitable way."

Caring for an ageing population
N Curry, H Holder, L Patterson
November 2013

Read more here.

Commissioning effective and efficient services to reduce avoidable sight loss

"This paper was developed by Achieving Commissioning Excellence to help commissioners understand how they can commission more efficient eye care services that support care closer to home where appropriate, and release capacity within secondary care in order to reduce avoidable sight loss."

Commissioning effective and efficient services to reduce avoidable sight loss
Achieving Commissioning Excellence (a partnership between NHS Alliance and Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Limited)
November 2013

Read more here.

What are the safety risks for patients undergoing treatment by multiple specialties

"More research is needed to gain insight into the underlying causes of inadequate care when multiple specialties are required to treat a patient."

What are the safety risks for patients undergoing treatment by multiple specialties: a retrospective patient record review study
RJ Baines, MC de Bruijne, M Langelaan, C Wagner
BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13:497

Read more here.

Structured education pulmonary rehabilitation programme for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary care

"On the basis of the evidence collected alongside a cluster RCT, a structured education pulmonary rehabilitation programme for COPD delivered in primary care was, on average, more costly and more effective than the usual general practice care."

The cost-effectiveness of a structured education pulmonary rehabilitation programme for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary care: the PRINCE cluster randomised trial
P Gillespie, et al.
BMJ Open, 2013, 3:e003479

Read more here.

Right Care Essential Reading: Unwarranted variation - update

Essential Reading is a series of reading lists on specific themes relevant to our Right Care programme themes. This reading list is an update (search dates Jan 2011 to Nov 2013) on the theme of Unwarranted Variation.

Read the update here.

The role of charging in healthcare

"There is growing evidence that the NHS is facing a funding challenge as demand grows and the level of funding available declines."

The cost of our health: the role of charging in healthcare
T Cawston, C Corrie
Reform
November 2013

Read more here.

Commissioning regional and local sexual health services

"These resources can help commissioners develop their services and undertake good commissioning, with clear service specifications and contracts."

Commissioning regional and local sexual health services
Public Health England
November 2013

Improving patient flow across organisations and pathways

"This scan compiled research about the methods used to improve patient flow across organisations or pathways."

Improving patient flow across organisations and pathways
D de Silva
The Health Foundation
November 2013

Read more here.

Healthcare reform: implications for knowledge translation in primary care

"The aim of this paper is to determine what works to facilitate evidence-based sexual healthcare within the primary care sector."

Healthcare reform: implications for knowledge translation in primary care
A Dadich, H Hosseinzadeh
BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13:490

Read more here.

Volunteering in acute trusts in England

"Our findings suggest that trusts believe that volunteers play a critical role in improving patient experience, but there is less systematic measurement of how they do so."

Volunteering in acute trusts in England: Understanding the scale and impact
A Galea, C Naylor, D Buck, L Weaks
The King's Fund
November 2013

Read more here.

The state of health care and adult social care in England 2012/13

"In around 90% of cases, people were treated with dignity and respect and were receiving care, treatment and support that met their needs and was safe. But, despite improvements in each type of care setting, we are disappointed that in around 10% of cases people received poor quality care."

The state of health care and adult social care in England 2012/13
Care Quality Commission
November 2013

Read more here.

You can see a pictorial version of the report here.

The UK strategy for rare diseases

"The Strategy aims to ensure that people living with a rare disease have the best quality of evidence based care and treatment that our health and social care systems, working with charities and other organisations, our researchers and industry can provide."

The UK strategy for rare diseases
Department of Health
November 2013

Read more here.

Role construction and boundaries in interprofessional primary health care teams

"We found that empowering team members to develop autonomy can enhance collaborative interactions."

Role construction and boundaries in interprofessional primary health care teams: a qualitative study
K MacNaughton, S Chreim, IL Bourgeault
BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13:486

Read more here.

Seven day consultant present care: implementation considerations

"This report, which has involved over fifty specialty organisations, is designed to be a catalyst, providing organisational and clinical leaders with further support in delivering seven day consultant-present care for patients in hospital."

Seven day consultant present care: implementation considerations
Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
November 2013

Read more here.

Challenging bureaucracy

"Our review has uncovered a number of ways to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy from national bodies on NHS providers. We believe our recommendations will help manage the volume of requests, reduce the effort involved in responding and, crucially, maximise the value of information for staff, patients and the public."

Challenging bureaucracy
NHS Confederation
November 2013

Read more here.

National audit of intermediate care

"As in 2012, the 2013 audit has highlighted wide variation in the extent of multi-agency commissioning, the scale of services provided and how intermediate care sits within the full range of health and social care services within each local area."

National audit of intermediate care
NHS Benchmarking Network
November 2013

Read more here.

Critical learning from four different systems for the successful integration of social care and health services

"This paper seeks to clarify the central contribution of social services to delivering change based on best research and practice knowledge as part of an integrated service."

Four Nations United: Critical learning from four different systems for the successful integration of social care and health services
Association of Directors of Adult Social Services
October 2013

Read more here.

The cost of our health: the role of charging in healthcare

"With the NHS facing a significant funding challenge in the short term, building on existing systems of copayment, in particular prescription charges, could generate valuable additional revenue."

The cost of our health: the role of charging in healthcare: Reform Ideas No 9
T Cawston, C Corrie
Reform
November 2013

Read more here.

NHS in transition: key questions

"The most costly care – typically hospital based care – should ideally be used only when necessary, and non-hospital based alternatives should be encouraged, provided that they can help patients for less cost."

NHS in transition: key questions
Nuffield Trust
November 2013

Read more here.

Impact of 'Virtual Wards' on hospital use

"The costs of providing health care are highly skewed across the population, with a small number of patients accounting for a large proportion of expenditure."

Impact of 'Virtual Wards' on hospital use: a research study using propensity matched controls and a cost analysis
GH Lewis, T Georghiou, A Steventon, R Vaithianathan, X Chitnis, J Billings, I Blunt, L Wright, A Roberts, M Bardsley
National Institute for Health Research Service delivery and Organisation Programme
November 2013

Read more here.

Free access to special issue of Journal of Integrated Care

This special issue of Journal of Integrated Care focuses on commissioning and the third sector, and can be freely read until 14th December 2013 by visiting Emerald Publishers using the following login details:
username: integrated
password: emerald2013

Articles include:

• Evaluating a third sector community service following stroke
• Co-producing care services in rural areas
• Singing from the same hymn sheet? Commissioning of preventative services from the third sector

International profiles of health care systems

"This publication presents overviews of the health care systems of Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. Each overview covers health insurance, public and private financing, health system organization and governance, health care quality and coordination, disparities, efficiency and integration, use of information technology and evidence-based practice, cost containment, and recent reforms and innovations."

International profiles of health care systems
Edited by S Thomson, R Osborn, D Squires, M Jun
The Commonwealth Fund
November 2013

Read more here.

Draft framework of excellence in clinical commissioning: for CCGs

"Large scale system change in health and social care is complex and challenging and driving such change takes strategic, collaborative leadership, built on a compelling vision for the future."

Draft framework of excellence in clinical commissioning: for CCGs
S Rutherford, J Simon
The NHS Constitution
November 2013

Read more here.

Role of the voluntary sector in providing commissioning support

"There are some areas of commissioning support where the voluntary sector offers particular expertise, including needs-assessments, business intelligence, service re-design, and public and patient engagement."

Role of the voluntary sector in providing commissioning support
H Holders
Nuffield Trust
November 2013

Read more here.

Commissioning support services: advice on whether to 'make, share or buy'

"....where CCGs wish to make changes to their commissioning support arrangements it is critical that the rationale behind these decisions is properly documented, that they can demonstrate that the new arrangements represent value for money and improved quality, and that the impact on the local health community and in particular neighbouring CCGs has been taken into account."

Commissioning support services: advice on whether to 'make, share or buy'
NHS England
November 2013

Read more here.

Commissioning cardiac rehabilitation services

"Clinical Commissioning Groups should work closely with strategic clinical networks for cardiovascular disease, who together with NHS England area teams are responsible for commissioning cardiovascular surgery."

Commissioning cardiac rehabilitation services
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
November 2013

Read more here.

Public health functions to be exercised by NHS England

"This agreement sets out outcomes to be achieved and funding provided for NHS England to commission public health services."

NHS public health functions agreement 2014 to 2015: public health functions to be exercised by NHS England
Department of Health, Public Health England
November 2013

Read more here.

Smart Guides to Engagement series

"The Smart Guides to Engagement series is for everyone working in or with clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). The guides have been written by experts to provide straightforward advice on all aspects of patient and public engagement in an easily digested format."

Access the 12 guides here.

Commissioning for Value - update

"Essential Reading" is a series of reading lists on specific themes relevant to the Right Care programme themes. They provide you with a rapid introduction to the subject and access to knowledge which will change your thinking. This reading list is an update to the Commissioning for Value list that was produced in August 2012."

Access the reading list here.

Money well spent?

"This briefing for councillors and officers explains the importance of assessing value for money in helping local authorities fulfil their public health responsibilities."

Money well spent? Assessing the cost effectiveness and return on investment of public health interventions
Local Government Association
November 2013

Read more here.

Corruption, inequality and population perception of healthcare quality in Europe

"We found robust evidence for the impact of socio-demographic variables on the perception of quality of health care."

Corruption, inequality and population perception of healthcare quality in Europe
Z Nikoloski, E Mossialos
BMC Health services Research, 2013, 13:472

Read more here.

Evaluating adverse drug event reporting in administrative data from emergency departments

"Adverse drug events to outpatient medications were underreported in emergency department administrative data compared to the number of adverse drug events diagnosed and recorded at the point-of-care."

Evaluating adverse drug event reporting in administrative data from emergency departments: a validation study
CM Hohl, L Kuramoto, E Yu, B Rogula, J Stausberg, B Sobolev
BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13:473

Read more here.

Effective clinical and financial engagement

"Effective engagement between NHS clinicians and finance professionals has always been important and never more so than now as the NHS seeks to improve the quality of care for patients while becoming more productive and efficient."

Effective clinical and financial engagement: a best practice guide for the NHS
Department of Health
November 2013

Read more here.

Development of a framework to estimate the cost of opioid dependence

"This report sets out the findings of a targeted review of the harms of opioid dependence, and an assessment of the existing estimates of the costs of opioid dependence."

Development of a framework to estimate the cost of opioid dependence
E Disley, A Mulcahy, M Pardal, J Rubin, K Ruggeri
RAND Europe, prepared for Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals
November 2013

Read more here.

NICE Quality Standard: Surgical site infection (QS49)

"This quality standard covers the prevention and treatment of surgical site infection for adults, children and young people undergoing surgical incisions through the skin, in all healthcare settings."

NICE Quality Standard: Surgical site infection (QS49)
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
October 2013

Read more here.

Now or never: shaping pharmacy for the future

"The final sections of the report focus on what needs to be done if pharmacists are to increasingly assume the role of supporting patients with effective medicines use and by serving as care-givers in the health system, working in close partnership with other health and social care professionals as well as with patients."

Now or never: shaping pharmacy for the future
J Smith, C Picton, M Dayan
Royal Pharmaceutical Society
October 2013

Read more here.

Emergency admissions to hospital: managing the demand

"Once patients are admitted, hospitals, working with community and social care services, can ensure that patients stay no longer than necessary and are discharged promptly."

Emergency admissions to hospital: managing the demand
Department of Health
National Audit Office
October 2013

Read more here.

A social network analysis of physicians' professional networks and their attitudes toward EBM

"This paper explores how physicians’ attitudes towards EBM is related to the network position they occupy within healthcare organizations."

"Us and them": a social network analysis of physicians' professional networks and their attitudes toward EBM
D Mascia, A Cicchetti, G Damiani
BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13:429

Read more here.

Applying the NHS institute for innovation and improvement sustainability model to healthcare improvement

"This study indicates the sustainability model provides a potentially useful approach to measuring teams' views on the likelihood of sustainability and prompting action."

Making change last: applying the NHS institute for innovation and improvement sustainability model to healthcare improvement
C Doyle, C Howe, T Woodcock, R Myron, K Phekoo, C McNicholas, J Saffer, D Bell
Implementation Science, 2013, 8:127

Read more here.

Facilitating knowledge exchange between health-care sectors, organisations and professions

"Relatively little is known about how people and groups who function in boundary-spanning positions between different sectors, organisations and professions contribute to improved quality of health care and clinical outcomes."

Facilitating knowledge exchange between health-care sectors, organisations and professions: a longitudinal mixed-methods study of boundary-spanning processes and their impact on health-care quality
L Nasir, G Robert, M Fischer, I Norman, T Murrells, P Schofield
National Institute for Health Research
Health Services and Delivery Research, October 2013, 1(7)

Read more here.

Non-publication of large randomized clinical trials

"Among this group of large clinical trials, non-publication of results was common and the availability of results in the ClinicalTrials.gov database was limited. A substantial number of study participants were exposed to the risks of trial participation without the societal benefits that accompany the dissemination of trial results."

Non-publication of large randomized clinical trials: cross sectional analysis
CW Jones, L Handler, KE Crowell, MA Weaver, TF Platts-Mills
British Medical Journal, 2013:347:f6104

Read more here.

Increased risks of death and extra lengths of hospital and ICU stay from hospital-acquired bloodstream infections

"Bloodstream infections are associated with an increased risk of death and longer hospital stay. Avoiding infections could save lives and free up valuable bed days."

The increased risks of death and extra lengths of hospital and ICU stay from hospital-acquired bloodstream infections: a case–control study
AG Barnett, K Page, M Campbell, E Martin, R Rashleigh-Rolls, K Halton, DL Paterson, L Hall, N Jimmieson, K White, N Graves
BMJ Open, 2013, 3:e003587

Read more here.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NICE QIPP Shared Learning Examples

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

1. Using quality and productivity to enhance heart failure pathway in primary care
2. Implementing and evaluating training for health visiting teams as part of the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative Community award

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.

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.

Joined-up care: King's Fund integrated care map

The King's Fund has produced a map which pulls together a range of case studies to help showcase integrated care in action.

Access the map here.

Methods for setting prices at national and local levels

"Our research highlights some of the challenges that commissioners face in agreeing local contracts that deliver the best outcomes for patients."

Local price setting and contracting practices for NHS services without a nationally mandated price: A research paper
Monitor
September 2013

Read more here.

Performance-based financing as a health system reform

"The paper lays out a broad framework within which indicators can be prioritised for monitoring and evaluation of performance-based financing or other health system reforms."

Performance-based financing as a health system reform: mapping the key dimensions for monitoring and evaluation
S Witter, J Toonen, B Meessen, J Kagubare, G Fritsche, K Vaughan
BMC Health Services Research 2013, 13:367

Read more here.

Social media and public policy

"This report considers whether social media data can improve the quality and timeliness of the evidence base that informs public policy."

Social media and public policy: What is the evidence?
J Leavey
Alliance for Useful Evidence
September 2013

Read more here.

Health Profiles

"Health Profiles provide summary health information to support local authority members, officers and community partners to lead for health improvement."

Access the Health Profiles here.

Transforming participation in health and care

"This guide will help clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and other commissioners of health and care services to involve:

• patients and carers in decisions relating to care and treatment
• the public in commissioning processes and decisions."

Transforming participation in health and care
NHS England
September 2013

Read more here.

Barriers and levers to best hand hygiene practice among healthcare practitioners

"This study has produced encouraging findings suggesting the potential for improved hand hygiene and resulting effects on the human and financial costs of healthcare associated infection."

Development of a theory-based instrument to identify barriers and levers to best hand hygiene practice among healthcare practitioners
J Dyson, R Lawton, C Jackson, F Cheater
Implementation Science, 2013, 8:111

Read more here.

Variation in surgical-readmission rates and quality of hospital care

"Hospitals with high surgical volume and low surgical mortality have lower rates of surgical readmission than other hospitals."

Variation in surgical-readmission rates and quality of hospital care
TC Tsai, KE Joynt, J Orav, AA Gawande, AK Jha
New England Journal of Medicine, 2013, 369:1134-42

Read more here.

Measuring a caring culture in hospitals

"Characteristics of the instruments included in this review could provide useful input for the design of a reliable and valid instrument for measuring a caring culture in hospitals."

Measuring a caring culture in hospitals: a systematic review of instruments
G Hesselink, E Kuis, M Pijnenburg, H Wollersheim
BMJ Open, 2013, 3:e003416

Read more here.

Cost-effectiveness analysis comparing surgical and endoscopic drainage

"In obstructive chronic pancreatitis, surgical drainage is highly cost-effective compared with endoscopic drainage from a UK NHS perspective."

Trial-based cost-effectiveness analysis comparing surgical and endoscopic drainage in patients with obstructive chronic pancreatitis
P Laramee, D Wonderling, DL Cahen, MG Dijkgraaf, DJ Gouma, MJ Bruno, SP Pereira,
BMJ Open, 2013, 3:e003676

Read more here.

Comparison of strategies to reduce MRSA rates in surgical patients

"In surgical wards with relatively low MRSA prevalence, a combination of enhanced standard and MRSA-specific infection control approaches was required to reduce MRSA rates."

Comparison of strategies to reduce meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus rates in surgical patients: a controlled multicentre intervention trial
AS Lee, et al.
BMJ Open, 2013, 3:e003126

Read more here.

Quality of newborn care: adherence to guidelines for parenteral nutrition in preterm infants in four European countries

"The initiation of PN is frequently not compliant with current recommendations, with the main differences being observed during the first days of life."

Quality of newborn care: adherence to guidelines for parenteral nutrition in preterm infants in four European countries
A Lapillonne, VP Carnielli, ND Embleton, W Mihatsch
BMJ Open, 2013, 3:e003478

Read more here.

Telemonitoring after discharge from hospital with heart failure

"Cost-effectiveness analyses suggest that telemonitoring was an optimal strategy in most scenarios, but there is considerable uncertainty in relation to clear descriptions of the interventions and robust estimation of costs."

Telemonitoring after discharge from hospital with heart failure: cost-effectiveness modelling of alternative service designs
P Thokala, et al.
BMJ Open, 2013, 3:e003250

Read more here.

Public health matters

This is the official blog of Public Health England, providing expert insight on the organisation's work and all aspects of public health. Read more here.

Securing the future of general practice in London

"Strong primary care is essential in health systems as a means of providing cost effective health care and securing health improvement."

Securing the future of general practice in London
Londonwide LMCs
September 2013

Read more here.

Time to act: severe sepsis: rapid diagnosis and treatment saves lives

"Better care could lead to savings in 8 Time to act - Severe sepsis: rapid diagnosis and treatment saves lives terms of reduced length of hospital stay and less intensive care and renal dialysis."

Time to act: severe sepsis: rapid diagnosis and treatment saves lives
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
September 2013

Read more here.

Commissioning Excellence

Primary Care Commissioning's latest edition of Commissioning Excellence is now available. Read more here.

Quality and safety in the NHS: evaluating progress, problems and promise

"Direction for quality and safety must be set from the top. Clear national-level direction setting is crucial. It must avoid dispersing responsibility and accountability, and avert confusion and misalignments for service providers."

Quality and safety in the NHS: evaluating progress, problems and promise
M West, R Baker, J Dawson, M Dixon Woods, R Lilford, G Martin, L McKee, M Murtagh, P Wilkie
Lancaster University collaboration with other universities and the National Association for Patient Participation
Lancaster University
August 2013

Read more here.

Medicines in Commissioning Toolkit

"This toolkit will help ensure that high quality, cost effective, accessible medicines management services are commissioned and provided within new and redesigned patient services."

Medicines in Commissioning Toolkit
NHS East & South East England Specialist Pharmacy Services
April 2013

Read more here.

Future hospital: caring for medical patients

"Future hospital: caring for medical patients focuses on the care of acutely ill medical patients, the organisation of medical services, and the role of physicians and doctors in training across the medical specialties in England and Wales."

Future hospital: caring for medical patients
Future Hospital Commission
September 2013

Read more here.

Quest for integrated health and social care

"Canterbury provides much food for thought for the many clinicians, funders and managers interested in better demand management in primary care, allied to significant improvements in hospital efficiency that in turn have an impact on the use of social care."

Quest for integrated health and social care: a case study in Canterbury, New Zealand
N Timmins, C Ham
The King's Fund
September 2013

Read more here.

Commissioning a good child health service

"Good commissioning – or planning – is the key and this guide will help you commission the right services for your patients. It will help you meet their current and future needs in the most effective and cost-effective way possible."

Commissioning a good child health service
Clinical Innovation and Research Centre
Royal College of General Practitioners
March 2013

Read more here.

Specialised commissioning: policies and policy statements

In its role as the direct commissioner of specialised services, NHS England has published the 8 clinical commissioning policies and policy statements:

1. Stereotactic radiosurgery/radiotherapy for glomus tumours
2. Radiosurgery/radiotherapy for cavernous venous malformations
3. Stereotactic radiosurgery, radiotherapy for ocular melanoma and pituitary adenoma
4. Eculizumab for atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome
5. Rituximab for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus in adults
6. Use of Plerixafor for stem cell mobilisation
7. Stereotactic radiosurgery/radiotherapy for meningioma
8. Stribild for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults

Access them all here.

A realist review of interventions and strategies to promote evidence-informed healthcare

"Though effectiveness evidence is weak, change agent roles are evolving, as is the literature, which requires more detailed description of interventions, outcomes measures, the context, intensity, and levels at which interventions are implemented in order to understand how change agent interventions effect evidence-informed health care."

A realist review of interventions and strategies to promote evidence-informed healthcare: a focus on change agency
B McCormack, J Rycroft-Malone, K DeCorby, AM Hutchinson, T Bucknall, B Kent, A Schultz, E Snelgrove-Clarke, C Stetler, M Titler, L Wallin, V Wilson
Implementation Science, 2013, 8:107

Read more here.

Sustaining and spreading self-management support

"Changing the way healthcare is delivered so that patients are supported to more effectively manage their longterm condition is also hard – it involves redefining the role of professionals and patients and putting in place processes and infrastructure that support new ways of working."

Sustaining and spreading self-management support: lessons from Co-creating Health phase 2
Health Foundation
September 2013

Read more here.

Improving integrated care for people with mental health problems

"This report sets out the findings from the Mental Health Foundation’s Inquiry into integrated health care for people with mental health problems. The Inquiry ran from April 2012 to June 2013. Its aim was to identify good practice, generate discussion, and draw up key messages on integrated healthcare for people with mental health problems."

Crossing boundaries: improving integrated care for people with mental health problems
Mental Health Foundation
September 2013

Read more here.

The role of evidence in policy formation and implementation

"Effective decision-making requires good advice, and that depends on informed use of evidence both in developing policy and in evaluating its effect once implemented."

The role of evidence in policy formation and implementation
Office of the Prime Minister's Science Advisory Committee
September 2013

Read more here.

International trends and initiatives in primary health care

"Evidence is presented from countries perceived as comparable to Australia in terms of the organisation, funding and delivery of primary health care."

International trends and initiatives in primary health care
Research Roundup
Issue 23, August 2012

Read more here.

GPs’ perspectives on the management of patients with multimorbidity

"This systematic review shows that the problem areas for GPs in the management of multimorbidity may be classified into four domains. There will be no ‘one size fits all’ intervention for multimorbidity but these domains may be useful targets to guide the development of interventions that will assist and improve the provision of care to multimorbid patients."

GPs’ perspectives on the management of patients with multimorbidity: systematic review and synthesis of qualitative research
C Sinnott, S McHugh, J Browne, C Bradley
BMJ Open, 2013: e003610

Read more here.

The work of commissioning: a multisite case study of healthcare commissioning in England's NHS

"Commissioners adopting an incremental approach to service change in defined and manageable areas of work appeared to be more successful in terms of delivering planned changes in service delivery than those attempting to bring about wide-scale change across complex systems."

The work of commissioning: a multisite case study of healthcare commissioning in England's NHS
SE Shaw, JA Smith, A Porter, R Rosen, N Mays
BMJ Open, 2013, 3:e003341

Read more here.

Quality Standard: Headaches in young people and adults

"NICE quality standards describe high-priority areas for quality improvement in a defined care or service area. This quality standard covers the diagnosis and management of the most common primary headache disorders (tension-type headache, migraine and cluster headache) and medication overuse headache in adults and young people aged 12 years and older."

QS 42: Headaches in young people and adults
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
August 2013

Access the quality standard here.

Better procurement, better value, better care

"There is too much variation across the NHS - far too many examples of different solutions to the same problem and wildly different prices being paid for the same product."

Better procurement, better value, better care: a procurement development programme for the NHS
Department of Health
August 2013

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Implementing shared decision-making

"Normalizing shared decision making requires intensive work to ensure teams have a shared understanding of the purpose of involving patients in decisions, and undergo the attitudinal shifts that many health professionals feel are required when comprehension goes beyond initial interpretations."

Patchy 'coherence': using normalization process theory to evaluate a multi-faceted shared decision making implementation program (MAGIC)
A Lloyd, N Joseph-Williams, A Edwards, A Rix, G Elwyn
Implementation Science, 2013, 8:102

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Building dementia-friendly communities: a priority for everyone

"In order for dementia-friendly communities to succeed, the views and opinions of people with dementia and their carers must be at the heart of any considerations or decisions."

Building dementia-friendly communities: a priority for everyone
Alzheimer's Society
August 2013

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Choosing a model to predict hospital admission

"Characteristics of patients identified by the algorithms provide useful information in the design/costing of intervention strategies to improve care coordination/outcomes for these patients."

Choosing a model to predict hospital admission: an observational study of new variants of predictive models for case finding
J Billings, T Georghiou, I Blunt, M Bardsley
BMJ Open, 2013, 3:e003352

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Educational interventions to improve prescribing competency

"A review of the educational interventions designed to improve prescribing competencies will help to ensure evidence-based interventions are used to develop competent medical and nonmedical prescribers."

Educational interventions to improve prescribing competency: a systematic review
G Kamarudin, J Penm, B Chaar, R Moles
BMJ Open, 2013, 3:e003291

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Reducing health inequalities: the challenge of public health

"Within local government, public-health teams have been tasked by public health England to achieve the following outcomes: (1) increasing healthy life expectancy and (2) reducing differences between communities in health outcomes."

Reducing health inequalities: the challenge of public health
J Craig
British Council - Innovation Unit
July 2013

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Supporting working carers

"This report is a landmark statement from business and Government that more can and should be done to support people who want to combine caring for a family member with working."

Supporting working carers: the benefits to families, business and the economy
HM Government
August 2013

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Personal health budgets

"Over the next year, clinical commissioning groups nationally may have to respond to requests for personal health budgets from up to 56,000 people."

Personal health budgets: challenges for commissioners and policy-makers
V Alakeson, B Rumbold
Nuffield Trust
August 2013

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Lining up: How do improvement programmes work?

"This is the second report examining aspects of the Health Foundation’s Lining Up project – an investigation into interventions to reduce central line infections."

Lining up: How do improvement programmes work?
The Health Foundation
August 2013

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Quality improvement made simple

"This is not a ‘how to’ guide. Instead, it offers a clear explanation of some common approaches used to improve quality, including where they have come from, their underlying principles and their efficacy and applicability within the healthcare arena."

Quality improvement made simple: 2nd ed.
The Health Foundation
August 2013

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Networks that work: partnerships for integrated care and services

"This publication shows how third sector organisations can develop and provide services that can help people to get themselves on top of their conditions."

Networks that work: partnerships for integrated care and services
NESTA Innovation Unit
August 2013

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Association between chronic disease related hospitalisations and primary health care resourcing

"Measuring hospitalisations, that could potentially be avoided with high quality and accessible primary care, is one indicator of how well primary care services are performing."

A systematic review of evidence on the association between hospitalisation for chronic disease related ambulatory care sensitive conditions and primary health care resourcing
OR Gibson, L Segal, RA McDermott
BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13:336

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