17 September 2008

NHS

Does public release of performance results improve quality of care? A systematic review (3rd September 2008)
A new Health Foundation report has called into question the link between public reporting of hospital performance and increased consumer choice by patients. The report demonstrates that public reporting can have a major impact on improving hospitals’ quality of care following poor results. The report looks primarily at research from the USA investigating the effects of public reporting. Even in a country with an established market in healthcare, patient choice of hospital is not affected by poor results. However, the public release of poor data was a major driving force in hospitals improving their quality of care.
Report

NHS spending: local variations in priorities: an update (September 2008)
Primary care trusts (PCTs) spend around 75 per cent of the NHS budget in England. How do they decide on their spending priorities? This paper examines the data collected by the Department of Health on the amounts PCTs spend on the 23 programmes of care based on medical conditions such as mental health, circulatory problems (including heart disease) and cancer. It also looks at changes in overall PCT spending between 2004/5 and 2006/7 and examines where the extra cash allocated to the NHS went. Fundamental differences are shown in PCT spending that are only partially explained by the different needs of local populations.
Paper

Top-up payments for drugs in England (8th September 2008)

How are top-ups distinct from other charges in the NHS and why have they become such a contentious issue now? This briefing gives some background on the relevant legislation and guidance in this area.
Briefing

What is fair: Should patients be allowed to top up their NHS care? (11th September 2008)

On 11 September 2008, The King's Fund hosted a debate on the issue of top ups and whether patients should be allowed to pay for drugs and treatments which the NHS won't fund. Professor Mike Richards, National Clinical Director for Cancer, is leading the government review on top-ups and was present at the debate.
Debate

Making the NHS the best insurance policy in the World (9th September 2008)

Britain is dropping behind in the global health race, according to a new report published today. The report, published by the independent think tank Reform, proposes that Britain combines its universal healthcare for everyone with the insurance ideas that underpin the global health leaders. It proposes a new model, a National Health Protection System, where individuals will be able to invest a £2,000 per year tax-funded premium to guarantee their healthcare.
Report

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