News

• Modest expansion to PBR in Department’s final tariff
  The Department of Health has continued its ‘managed expansion’ of the scope of payment by results (PBR) in its final tariff before handing over responsibility for currency design and price setting to Monitor and the NHS Commissioning Board.
• DH to release indicative 2013/14 cluster prices
  The Department of Health is planning to publish indicative prices for the new mental health clusters as it looks to embed use of the new currency in 2013/14.
• HFMA forges integrated care link
  The HFMA has joined forces with Net.Orange in an alliance that aims to help health economies implement integrated care.
• Costing standards gain support
  There is broad support for a standardised costing methodology based on HFMA clinical costing standards, according to Monitor.
• Licence benefits ‘outweigh costs’
  The benefits of Monitor’s proposed licence conditions for NHS-funded providers outweigh the costs, according to the regulator.
• News review - Seamus Ward assesses the past month in healthcare finance
  September was a month of new faces at the top of healthcare in England and Scotland following reshuffles by David Cameron and Alex Salmond. South of the border, former culture secretary Jeremy Hunt replaced Andrew Lansley. In Scotland Alex Neil became cabinet secretary for health and wellbeing, replacing Nicola Sturgeon, who has taken over infrastructure, investment and cities.
• Real terms increases for Scottish boards
  Health boards will have increased allocations in 2013/14 after accounting for inflation, the Scottish government announced in its draft Budget.
• News analysis: Financial misconceptions
  Stories of a £4bn surplus in the NHS in England are wide of the mark, as Seamus Ward reports

Comment

• Seeds of inspiration
  The NHS may already be a successful ‘brand’ but it can learn from the marketing philosophies of the leading private enterprises, writes Sue Jaques
• Tariff – just part of the change toolbox
  We need to be realistic about timescales and about what tariffs can deliver, amid understandable enthusiasm to develop new currencies to support redesigned pathways, argues HFMA Payment by Results Special Interest Group chairman Paul Briddock
• Charter questions
  HFMA chief executive Mark Knight answers member questions about the association plans to seek a royal charter

Features

• Good vibrations
  Monitoring patient costs can be a powerful tool in the search for efficiency. But according to a recent evaluation, managers need to start making more use of the data to move beyond the limited examples of savings to date. Steve Brown reports
  Download Good vibrations PDF
• To boldly go
  They may have their roots in the 19th century, but social enterprises are seen as key providers in the new NHS. Seamus Ward examines the benefits and challenges facing the sector
  Download To boldly go PDF
• Valuable words
  Tony Whitfield and Dr Mahmood Adil call on finance and clinical professionals to add value to their vocabulary
  Download Valuable words PDF
• Fresh approach
  The NHS must look to service transformation and new ways of working if it is to deliver the efficiencies required over the next few years, a recent HFMA/ Monitor conference heard
  Download Fresh approach PDF
• The next big thing
  How much do finance directors or boards really know about the quality of their costing data? And how can regulators gain assurance about the robustness of data on which to base tariffs. A self-assessment tool may hold the answer. Helen Strain reports
  Download The next big thing 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
• Finance explained
  Our guide to current financial issues continues with a look at segmental reporting
  Download Finance explained PDF
• Introduction to...CCG allocations
  We examine how allocations will be made to the new commissioning bodies from 2013/14