More details have been released by government about the plans for the NHS.
The Operating Framework for the NHS was published on December 15 and provides the Care Trust Plus with the first indication of its future over the next two years.
The importance of integrated working between local government and the NHS through the transition period and how this will benefit health is described and timings are set out in respect of establishing Health and Well-being Boards.
In addition, the Government has announced a two year pay freeze for staff earning more than £21,000 per annum from April 2011.
The framework also contains a reference to current discussions between NHS Employers and Trade Unions through the NHS Staff Council.
These discussions cover proposals to provide staff with “significantly improved security of employment in return for foregoing pay increments during 2011/12 and 2012/13".
The Executive Team is committed to avoiding redundancies where possible.
Given these challenges the Care Trust Plus is going ahead with plans to develop a shared HR service with the Council.
This will deliver operational efficiencies, whilst at the same time taking joint advantage of common practices, goals and services.
The Health and Social Care Bill introduced into Parliament on January 19 is a crucial part of the Government’s vision to modernise the NHS so that it is built around patients, led by health professionals and focused on delivering world-class healthcare outcomes.
The Bill takes forward Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS (July 2010) and the subsequent Government response Liberating the NHS: legislative framework and next steps (December 2010) which require primary legislation.
It also includes provision to strengthen public health services and reform the Department’s arm’s length bodies.
The Bill contains provisions covering five themes:
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Strengthening commissioning of NHS services
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Increasing democratic accountability and public voice
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Liberating provision of NHS services
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Strengthening public health services
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Reforming health and care arm’s-length bodies.
More details at the following link http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/healthandsocialcare.html
Follow this link for more on the Operating Framework http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Managingyourorganisation/Financeandplanning/Planningframework/index.htm
