This weekly summary offers an overview of the system and pulls together information on waiting times in A&E, ambulance response times, daily situation reports from the NHS, and information on flu rates. Winter health check report Nov 2013  

NHS England and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are working together to improve the reporting and learning in two important areas. It is proposed to increase and improve reporting of medical devices and medication errors via an integrated reporting system and enhanced governance (control) systems. In partnership we have drafted two Patient […]

NHS England has announced the list of provider hospitals chosen to take part in a new £4.8 million initiative, aimed at increasing access to specialist radiotherapy services. The 10 centres will provide Selective Internal Radiotherapy (SIRT) to around 220 patients a year as part of a time-limited programme called ‘Commissioning through Evaluation’. The successful centres […]

NHS England has today published 37 nationally consistent commissioning policies as part of its role as a direct commissioner for some non-specialised services. The policies, which are interim at this stage, are of particular benefit to the armed forces and health and justice populations as members of these communities, particularly serving armed forces personnel and […]

The National Quality Board, sponsored by Jane Cummings, Chief Nursing Officer in England, has today published new guidance to support providers and commissioners to make the right decisions about nursing, midwifery and care staffing capacity and capability. The guide: outlines a set of expectations of providers and commissioners relating to staffing, and provides advice on […]

NHS England today highlighted the significant work it is leading to improve the safety of patients as part of a co-ordinated response to the Francis Report. In the coming months NHS England will: Launch Patient Safety Collaborative Programmes in a network covering the entire country – that will bring together frontline teams, experts, patients, commissioners […]

Listen to BBC Health Correspondent Adam Brimelow’s report about the urgent and emergency care in England here. Related news item: Sir Bruce Keogh proposes new blueprint for urgent and emergency care across England  

NHS England is inviting individuals and organisations to provide written submissions to help inform the development of its five-year strategy for specialised services. The development of the strategy is one of a number of workstreams supporting the Call to Action, which was launched in July 2013, opening a public debate about the future shape of […]

NHS England seeks views on draft patient safety alert for Non-Luer Spinal (Intrathecal) Devices for Chemotherapy and Lumbar Puncture Please complete the consultation and give us your views on the draft patient safety alert – The consultation runs from 18 Nov 2013 to 5 Dec 2013. Read more about NHS England’s work on patient safety

NHS England today launches its Winter Health Check with senior clinicians urging people to take early advice on health problems. The advice is particularly aimed at those who are very young, the elderly and frail or those who have existing health problems. A key way of addressing this winter’s pressures on hospital A&E departments is […]