Press release: NHS Pocket Guide launched at 'HR in the NHS' conference

12 May 2005

The NHS Confederation, which represents more than 90% of NHS organisations, launches the 2005/06 edition of its Pocket guide to the NHS in England at the HR in the NHS conference in Birmingham this week.
The pocket guide, which is now in its seventh year, provides an insight into the latest health service developments as well as a truly comprehensive introduction to the NHS.

It is written by Peter Davies, former editor of the Health Service Journal, and is an indispensable reference tool for anyone working in the NHS or in organisations that work in partnership with the health service.

Dr Gill Morgan, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, says: "The NHS is a hugely complex organisation, employing 1.3 million people in England, and we know that I can be difficult to keep pace with the changes that constantly affect it.

"NHS organisations face a particularly challenging agenda this year as new contracts, patient choice, payment by result and a greater diversity of providers are all set to transform the health service.

"We hope the new edition of our pocket guide, which is now firmly established as an invaluable reference book, will help demystify some of these complexities and keep readers up-to-date with the latest changes affecting the NHS."

The pocket guide includes:

• an acronym-buster with over 250 acronyms decoded
• an A-Z guide to put a reference list of 100 key words at your fingertips
• comprehensive website links for further reference.

It is particularly useful to:

• anyone new to the NHS
• NHS Board members
• commercial partners
• voluntary sector partners
• NHS suppliers
• HR and training staff
• management trainees.
• students of health and health policy.

Copies of the pocket guide are available at the retail price of £14.95 (£10.95 for NHS Confederation members) by calling 0870 444 5841.

Ends

Notes for editors

1. The NHS Confederation represents more than 90% of the organisations that make up the NHS throughout the UK. Its members include the majority of NHS trusts, foundation trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; NHS boards and special boards in Scotland; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

Contact details

1. Copies of the pocket guide will be available to journalists attending the HR in the NHS conference at the ICC Birmingham from May 11 to 13 - contact Gemma Jeffcoate, NHS Employers Media Officer, on 07798 571077 or Emma Stafford, NHS Employers Public Affairs Manager, on 07917 233947 at the conference.         
2. Journalists not attending the conference who would like a copy of the pocket guide to review or for reference purposes should contact Matt Akid, NHS Confederation Media Relations Manager, on 020 7074 3306 or Sarah Jones, NHS Confederation Head of Public Affairs, on 020 7074 3300.

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