As part of the next phase of our programmes to improve imaging and pathology efficiency, we are now collecting annual data for 2017/18.

• Imaging annual data: following the communication sent to radiology service managers last week, please ensure your data is submitted by 5pm Friday 29 June.
• Pathology annual data: please submit your data by 5pm Monday 2 July.

Lord Carter’s review of the operational productivity of mental health and community health services found the NHS could save £1 billion worth of efficiencies by 2020/21 by reducing unwarranted variations.

The report, which was accepted in full by our board last week, has recommendations for national bodies and providers to implement over the next three years.

To help you to better understand demand, plan capacity across services and improve patient experience by making data-driven decisions, we have published three new demand and capacity modelling tools:

• a core model, adaptable across the whole range of elective care services
• an aggregation module, combining the outputs of individual demand and capacity models into a whole pathway
• a high complexity model, designed for community and mental health services.

Friday 6 July, London

An event for board members and senior leaders in NHS trusts and foundation trusts, to help you strategically develop, lead and sustain quality improvement cultures in your organisation.

At Improvement 2018, you’ll hear from provider executives and clinicians who are taking strategic, organisation-wide approaches to embedding a culture of continuous improvement. They will describe how they are engaging staff, inviting patients to join the improvement drive, and keeping quality and safety front and centre.

Thursday 28 June, London

This event is a chance for newly appointed medical directors to network, share learning and discuss common challenges. It will include a keynote address from our Executive Medical Director Dr. Kathy McLean, and focus on key aspects of the role, national priorities and the opportunities and challenges faced within the first 12 to 18 months of being a medical director.

From 1 October 2018, trusts will need to ask any individual they consider may be homeless, or threatened with homelessness, if they would like to be referred to a Local Housing Authority. The referral must include an individual’s contact details, consent, and the agreed reason for the referral.

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has shared a collection of policy factsheets and the Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health’s document ‘Homeless and Inclusion Health Standards for commissioners and service providers’. This includes a downloadable template referral form as a gold standard for those organisations ready to take a further step towards providing integrated care with their housing colleagues.

• Provider bulletin: 23 May 2018