Healthcare Finance

Healthcare Finance July/August 2010

Demand management is not new to the NHS. It has been an important element of many cost improvement programmes, but the NHS has often failed to fully realise its potential. However this trend must be reversed as many contracts for 2010/11 rely on significant levels of demand management. The July/ August issue of Healthcare Finance talks to finance staff about demand management programmes and how they are adapting payment by results to incentivise treatment in the most appropriate setting. The issue also includes an interview with new Monitor chairman Steve Bundred, who explains his plans for the development of FTs. There is also news of the latest policy developments from the coalition government, including an analysis of the revised operating framework for England. The National Prescribing Centre explains how it can help balance financial accountability, clinical need and the NHS Constitution in individual funding requests and there is a focus on procurement – both in delivering savings and the value of leasing.