Nuffield Trust: US-based commissioning: lessons to be learned

One of the foremost experts on US-based clinical commissioning, Dr Lawrence Casalino, has warned that although GP commissioning has the potential to improve quality and reduce healthcare costs, the concept could lead to a loss of financial control without the correct incentives and support mechanisms in place. His list of recommendations is available in a report: GP Commissioning in the NHS in England: Ten suggestions from the United States.

Two new reports from National Development Team for inclusion

The NDTi have published two new reports on achieving age equality in mental health services. A Long Time Coming: Part 1 shares the findings, key messages and priorities for local and national action arising from this work. Part 2 highlights the practical steps that can be taken at a local level to deliver age equal mental health services in partnership with older people

The Research Support Services framework

The National Institute for Health Research has produced a framework which transforms the incentives for efficiency in the initiation, set-up and delivery of research studies. It describes good practice and standard procedures to simplify and speed up local research management and manage operational risk proportionately.

Applying the NHS Performance Framework to mental health trusts in 2011/12  

This document informs mental health trusts, PCTs and SHAs of the criteria against which mental health performance will be assessed. It should be read alongside Implementing the NHS Performance Framework.

Health services in Secure Children's Homes and Secure Training Centres

This year there is a phased project to transfer commissioning responsibility for health services in Secure Children’s Homes and Secure Training Centres in England to the NHS. This will mean the NHS taking responsibility for commissioning health services together with Young Offender Institutions and prisons.    

Payment by Results for mental health services

This is an update on the latest developments around Payment by Results for mental health services for working age adults and older people.

Survey finds that public are more positive on some mental health issues

A survey from The NHS Information Centre, Findings from Attitudes to Mental Illness 2011, suggests that public opinion on a number of mental health issues has become more positive, but some less favourable views still exist.  

Department of Work and Pensions: Employment support for disabled people

The Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller, published a report to Government by Liz Sayce, Chief Executive of RADAR, reviewing specialist disability employment programmes. The report contains a range of specific recommendations and states that Government support for employment services for disabled people should be focused on the individual not the institution. Ms Sayce said: "The work aspirations of disabled people have changed. Again and again disabled people - especially young disabled people - said they wanted the same choice of jobs as everyone else - in every sector from hairdressing to engineering, from apprenticeships to work experience, from self employment to co-ops and employee to director. That is why I am recommending empowering disabled people and employers by opening up Access to Work, widening access to information and peer support and ensuring support can go with the individual, from job to job, equipping disabled people for the economy of today and tomorrow.”