NHS England has today set out plans to implement exacting new standards that will ensure patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) receive the best possible care. Hospitals that do not currently fulfil these standards, which have been developed by specialists and patients, must either show that they have a programme to do so and meet […]

NHS England has issued new guidance for community pharmacies wishing to claim payments this year under the Quality Payments Scheme. The scheme financially rewards community pharmacies for improving the quality of care for patients by meeting a number of criteria centred on themes of clinical effectiveness, patient safety and patient experience. These include: becoming accredited […]

The head of NHS England, Simon Stevens, will today (Tuesday 12 September) set out an ambitious vision for the National Health Service as it approaches its landmark 70th anniversary – calling on health and care leaders to unleash the game changing potential of innovation for both patients and taxpayers. Speaking at Expo conference in Manchester, […]

An estimated 8,000 stroke patients a year are set to benefit from an advanced emergency treatment which can significantly decrease the risk of long-term disability and also save millions of pounds in long term health and social care costs. NHS England has announced that it will commission mechanical thrombectomy so it can become more widely […]

NHS England will be leading a review of low value prescription items from April 2017 and introducing new guidance for Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), with a view to substantially saving NHS expenditure in this area. It follows extensive work by NHS Clinical Commissioners which identified significant areas where potential savings can be made, up to […]

Following the launch in 2016 of Commissioning Services for People with Hearing Loss: A framework for Clinical Commissioning groups, Fiona Carragher, Deputy Chief Scientific Officer will join a range of partners from the health, charity and social care sector, to update on progress to date, including updates on: How CCGs across the country have used […]

NHS England has today confirmed that three new specialised treatments will be made available for patients in England. It is estimated that up to 145 people a year will meet the clinical criteria to benefit from the following treatment options being made routinely available to their clinicians with funding from NHS England: Second allogeneic haematopoietic […]

The Department of Health and NHS England are seeking to appoint new members of the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA). The aim of ACRA is to provide recommendations and advice on the target, relative geographical distribution of funding for health services in England, given the objectives of the funding formula. The objectives of the […]

NHS England has today announced that it will provide funding for further testing of the Argus II, also known as the Bionic Eye. Ten patients will undergo surgery to tackle Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), an inherited disease that causes blindness. The procedures will take place at Manchester Eye Hospital (MREH) and Moorfields Eye Hospital from 2017. […]

NHS England has today (05 October 2016) launched a 30 day public consultation on a clinical commissioning policy proposition for commissioning medicines in children.  There has already been extensive engagement on this national policy, it has been developed with the support and input of lead clinicians and patient and public representatives. This approach has helped […]