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This paper shows that GP-led companies have won most of the contracts awarded to date and that these types of organisations are also well placed among those shortlisted in the Equitable Access to Primary Care procurements. The paper argues that more attention needs to be given to increasing patients...
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This paper shows that GP-led companies have won most of the contracts awarded to date and that these types of organisations are also well placed among those shortlisted in the Equitable Access to Primary Care procurements. The paper argues that more attention needs to be given to increasing patients' awareness of choice in primary care, otherwise there is a risk that the new GP-led health centres will not be fully utilised.

GP budget holding is likely to be one of the flagship policies of the new government. This paper draws on evidence from the U.S. as well as on previous experience in the NHS of GP commissioning in different forms, to identify lessons for policy makers as they take this policy forward. While the gov...
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GP budget holding is likely to be one of the flagship policies of the new government. This paper draws on evidence from the U.S. as well as on previous experience in the NHS of GP commissioning in different forms, to identify lessons for policy makers as they take this policy forward. While the government is on the right lines in promoting GP budget holding, the paper suggests that there is a need for caution in promoting budget holding as a universal solution without regard to the capabilities of practices to manage a budget and the safeguards that need to be put in place to avoid the downside risks.

Following Lord Darzi’s pledge to pilot direct payments and individual budgets in health care, this paper provides a brief background to the concept and principles of these ways of working, before focusing in more detail on some frequently asked questions. The paper is intended to help inform forthco...
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Following Lord Darzi’s pledge to pilot direct payments and individual budgets in health care, this paper provides a brief background to the concept and principles of these ways of working, before focusing in more detail on some frequently asked questions. The paper is intended to help inform forthcoming pilots, and was initially commissioned by NHS West Midlands as part of their Investing for Health strategy.

Ever since the NHS White Paper was published in July 2010, debate has raged as to whether this is a revolutionary or evolutionary policy programme. At the time, the government was keen to demonstrate the radical and innovative nature of its proposals, but as opposition has increased the language see...
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Ever since the NHS White Paper was published in July 2010, debate has raged as to whether this is a revolutionary or evolutionary policy programme. At the time, the government was keen to demonstrate the radical and innovative nature of its proposals, but as opposition has increased the language seems to have changed, with policy makers stressing the way in which proposals build on previous policy. As the Health and Social Care Bill goes to the House of Lords in forthcoming months, a policy paper from the Health Services Management Centre analyses this new reform programme. Overall, the paper suggests the reform proposals represent a large degree of continuity or evolution from previous reform agendas. However, they also raise the point that the combined impact of the reforms when implemented may have the potential to bring about radical change as the scale and speed of the proposed changes take effect. They reflect on the contextual factors likely to affect the implementation of the policy proposals and raise some practical implications for researchers and practitioners to consider in relation to this new reform agenda.

The paper written by Simon Duffy, Director of the Centre for Welfare Reform, John Waters, of In Control and HSMC's Professor Jon Glasby, introduces the concept of personal budgets as 'Conditional Resource Entitlements' (CREs) - a means of targeting resources towards those who are eligible, but with ...
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The paper written by Simon Duffy, Director of the Centre for Welfare Reform, John Waters, of In Control and HSMC's Professor Jon Glasby, introduces the concept of personal budgets as 'Conditional Resource Entitlements' (CREs) - a means of targeting resources towards those who are eligible, but with specific conditions attached. The authors suggest personal budgets, if framed as a form of CRE, can form part of a wider strategy for welfare reform which places emphasis on promoting citizenship and personal responsibility.

This paper on the provision of patient information notes that current methods have limited reach and effectiveness.The report found that while most patient information is provided in the form of written leaflets or via the internet, around one in five British people do not have basic literacy and st...
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This paper on the provision of patient information notes that current methods have limited reach and effectiveness.The report found that while most patient information is provided in the form of written leaflets or via the internet, around one in five British people do not have basic literacy and struggle to read, and one third of households do not have a home internet connection.The report also notes that older people, ethnic minority communities and those on lower incomes are among the groups who are most likely to have literacy problems and least likely to use the internet.

In the year 2000 the option of a single organisation leading on the commissioning and/or delivery of health and social care services was proposed in England in the form of care trusts. Overall the lesson from care trusts appears to be that structure can provide additional benefits but only if there ...
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In the year 2000 the option of a single organisation leading on the commissioning and/or delivery of health and social care services was proposed in England in the form of care trusts. Overall the lesson from care trusts appears to be that structure can provide additional benefits but only if there is a history of joint working and trust, a clear vision and the active engagement of prospective users, local community and staff. Furthermore their experiences underline that the historic differences and tensions between health and social care remain, and that integrating with one service can lead to a greater distance from another. These are important lessons for Health & Well-being Boards to build on as the English system moves to the new world of GP led commissioning, a national public health organisation and community services being delivered by a range of organisational forms.

This paper reviews emerging evidence around prevention in older people’s services.It identifies and reviews ten high impact changes covering: promoting healthy lifestyles; vaccination; screening; falls prevention; housing adaptations and practical support; telecare and technology; intermediate care;...
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This paper reviews emerging evidence around prevention in older people’s services.It identifies and reviews ten high impact changes covering: promoting healthy lifestyles; vaccination; screening; falls prevention; housing adaptations and practical support; telecare and technology; intermediate care; re-ablement; partnership working; and, personalisation