Local price setting and contracting practices for NHS services

Monitor has published a new research paper which assesses just how effective local contracts have been in delivering more for patients, with the focus being on national price setting.

NHS won’t meet £20bn improvement target

The NHS will struggle to meet its target of delivering £20bn in productivity improvements by 2015 according to the latest quarterly monitoring report from the King’s Fund. 

Patients are at the centre of new ward inspection regime

NHS England has published findings from its patient-led inspections of hospitals.

Quality and safety in the NHS

This study of NHS cultures and behaviours found that the quality of care in the English NHS is too often compromised by a lack of clearly defined goals, too much regulation and highly variable staff support

Consultation on the 2014/15 national tariff

New rules will come into force next year allowing local experiments in ways of paying for NHS-funded services to develop new models of care for patients.

Monitor clarifies process on awarding foundation trust status

Monitor has reaffirmed that it will not grant foundation trust status to any further NHS trusts until it receives robust assurance from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) that applicants are providing a good quality of care for patients.

Monitor has also updated Applying for NHS foundation trust status: Guide for applicants

New EU Directive on public procurement

This briefing provides an overview of key aspects of the new EU public procurement Directive and its implications for the health service