PAC GP contract report
The Public Accounts Committee published its report on the GP contract on 9 October. NHS Confederation chief executive, Steve Barnett, said the report highlights a number of issues but also recognises the benefits of the new contract, such as the shift in focus to the quality of patient services and the increased number of GPs. Read more

NHS Confederation at Conservative party conference
The need to avoid unnecessary restructuring was a point of agreement for NHS Confederation chief executive Steve Barnett and conservative spokesperson Stephen O’Brien at the recent Conservative party conference. Our NHS Partners Network breakfast event invited politicians, think tanks and independent doctors to discuss clinicians’ attitudes and reflections on working for the NHS in the independent sector. Read more

NHS shows financial improvement
The Audit Commission’s local evaluation report, published on 2 October, shows an overall picture of financial improvement for many NHS organisations in 2007/08. Read more

NHS carbon reduction strategy
The NHS Confederation has responded to the NHS Sustainable Development Unit’s draft carbon reduction strategy for the NHS in England, based on feedback from our member networks. Our members recognise that the NHS has a responsibility to make a significant contribution to the UK’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Read more

Modernising Scientific Careers
NHS Employers is contributing to the Department of Health’s Modernising Scientific Careers (MSC) workforce programme, which aims to ensure flexibility, sustainability and modern career pathways to address the needs of the future NHS. Chief Scientific Officer, Professor Sue Hill, is presenting at a number of ‘listening events’ organised by the strategic health authorities. Read more

Contact programme
See details of key NHS Confederation meetings held recently. Read more

Hope joins health team in reshuffle
Phil Hope, MP for Corby, has replaced Ivan Lewis in Gordon Brown’s recent Cabinet reshuffle. Mr Hope became a minister in 1997, firstly in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. He then moved to the Department for Education and Skills and most recently was minister for the third sector in the Cabinet Office. Ivan Lewis moves to the Department for International Development.

Centre of Excellence
The NHS Next Stage Review A high quality workforce report announced plans for a Centre of Excellence to support NHS workforce strategy and planning. NHS Employers will be responding to the consultation and is keen to hear from employers with their views on how the centre should work and what the priorities should be. Read more

Changes in regulating NHS bodies on HCAI
The Department of Health is consulting on changes to how NHS bodies will be regulated in relation to healthcare associated infections. The NHS Confederation will be responding on behalf of members. Read more

Free member events address issue of local leadership
Hear the Confederation’s latest analysis of the NHS Next Stage Review and its implications for NHS leaders at the autumn round of membership meetings (sponsored by Vocera). Read more

Party conferences 2008
The NHS Confederation held fringe meetings, in partnership with the Royal College of Nursing and Asthma UK, at all the party conferences asking what each political party can do to win the battle of ideas on health. Two of the Confederation’s member networks also held events. Read more

Conservative Party on outcomes
The NHS Confederation has responded to the Conservative Party’s green paper Delivering some of the best health in Europe: Outcomes not targets. Our response said that we are in favour of retaining some limited process measures because there are some outcomes that are too distant or hard to measure and need well-designed process measures. Read more