News

• FTs offer downbeat forecast as financial position tightens
  An increasing number of foundation trusts will face financial difficulties by the end of the current financial year, foundation trust regulator Monitor said after reviewing the trusts’ plans for 2012/13.
• Pay reform could save 6,000 south-west jobs, claim trusts
  A consortium of NHS employers has claimed it could save about 6,000 health service jobs in the south-west by reforming staff pay and conditions.
• Audit Commission calls for improvement on PBR data
  The quality of the data that underpins payment by results has improved, but many trusts struggle to achieve accuracy, according to the Audit Commission.
• Minister hands out £10m to Welsh emergency services
  Wales health minister Lesley Griffiths (pictured) has released £10m from her department’s contingency funds to ease pressure on emergency services after a hike in demand.
• OFT cracks down on private price sharing
  The Office of Fair Trading has received assurances from eight trusts that they will no longer exchange information about their private patient unit prices.
• Lift-off for HFMA non-exec faculty
  The HFMA has received an enthusiastic response to its new faculty for NHS chairs and non-executive directors.
• News review - Seamus Ward assesses the past month in healthcare finance
  South London special administrator; BMA industrial action; and consultations, consultations, consultations
• News analysis: New measures
  Monitor has outlined its thinking on its licensing regime, including a new twist on financial risk assessment.

Comment

• Charter flight
  HFMA chief executive Mark Knight discusses the association plans to seek a royal charter
• To infinity...
  With fewer central controls, the NHS should look to the stars for inspiration on removing barriers that hamper creativity and innovation, says HFMA president Sue Jacques
• CCGs: building on authorisation
  HFMA Commissioning Finance Group chair Cathy Kennedy says getting CCGs ready for business is a major task in itself, but the real job – improving services and value – lies ahead

Features

• Pressure rising
  The NHS in Wales is taking steps towards a firmer financial footing – but the transition is proving to be tough
  Download Pressure rising PDF
• Levelling the field
  Monitor’s fair playing field review promises to examine many elements of the system for providing care in England, but much of the focus will be on the fine detail of payment by results
  Download Levelling the field PDF
• Making a mark
  Benchmarking built on robust patient-level cost data can be a powerful tool in the search for improvement. Suzanne Robinson reports from cancer specialist the Christie NHS FT
  Download Making a mark PDF
• Practical engagement
  With increasing recognition that clinical involvement is not just desired but essential to the costing process, a workshop at this year’s HFMA national costing conference set out to discuss three of the big issues in successful engagement
  Download Practical engagement PDF
• Pillars of strength
  The HFMA, an association built on the contributions of its members, has recognised the efforts of a few individuals through special key contributor awards
  Download Pillars of strength PDF
• Technical round-up
  Our monthly review of the latest technical guidance and reports, with links to the original documents
  Download Technical round-up PDF
• NICE update
  The guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in July and August
  Download NICE update PDF
• New online modules
  Two new HFMA e-learning modules examine NHS commissioning and delivering sustainable cost improvement programmes
  Download New online modules PDF
• Introduction to...governance
  Our guide to governance, the cornerstone of the management of any organisation
  Download Introduction to...governance PDF
• Addiction, Peppa Pig, pain and Black Sheep
  Ian Baines describes the emotional ups and downs as he conquers the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge in aid of the special care baby charity Bliss.