Winter pressures continue
Staff are continuing to work flat out to ensure high quality and safe care in the face of ongoing pressures. We are keen to hear from members about the pressures they are facing as a result of any rise in emergency admissions or delayed discharges. Respond to our online survey with details of the situation in your trust.

Three-year pay agreement for 2009/10
The NHS Pay Review Body has decided not to re-open the three-year pay agreement for 2009/10. As a result, the pay uplift for Agenda for Change staff groups, agreed earlier in 2008, will be implemented from April 2009. Read more

Working Time Directive update
The European Parliament recently voted to reject proposed compromise text on the Working Time Directive (WTD), meaning that no agreement has been reached. The NHS must continue to comply with existing Working Time Regulations, including planning for the further reduction on doctors’ working hours in August 2009. Separately, the Department of Health has written to strategic health authorities requesting information on trusts’ readiness for the WTD. Read more

NHS Employers’ contract negotiations
The Department of Health and the NHS Confederation have agreed to enter into negotiations for a renewed contract for services between the Department of Health and NHS Employers. Steve Barnett, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: "I am delighted and believe this is a real vote of confidence in the excellent work that NHS Employers has undertaken over the past four years". Read more

Green Public Procurement Toolkit
The European Commission has developed a green public procurement toolkit to give public authorities some very practical help with the greening of procurement contracts. Access the toolkit on our NHS European Office webpages.

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

Does our weekly bulletin hit the spot?
We are keen to hear members' views on whether or not our weekly Interchange Alert bulletin gives them the information they need when they need it. Complete our online survey for a chance to win a place at our 2009 annual conference and exhibition.

Modernising Scientific Careers
NHS Employers has published a discussion paper summarising the Department of Health’s consultation on the future of the healthcare science workforce. Read the document and complete NHS Employers’ online questionnaire by Friday 13 February Read more

GMC consultation on medical school outcomes
NHS Employers has been invited to respond to the GMC’s new edition of Tomorrow’s doctors. The publication sets out the knowledge, skills and behaviours required of UK medical graduates, and lays down the standards required of UK medical schools. Let NHS Employers know your views on this important publication by 26 January. Read more

Queen’s speech debate
Conservative shadow health secretary, Andrew Lansley, recently led a debate on the health sections of the Queen’s speech. Debate focused on the constitution, children’s services, smoking and mental health. Read our Queen's speech summary.

House of Lords cross-border care evidence
NHS Confederation deputy director of policy, Jo Webber, gave evidence to the House of Lords EU scrutiny committee on 4 December as part of its inquiry into EU proposals on cross-border healthcare. She talked about the potential impact on equity, good quality information for patients interested in obtaining treatment abroad. Read more