There was conflicting news this week on the levels of Covid-19 infection in the community. But there was no confusion over the impact the virus is having, with daily deaths hitting an alarming level and the NHS continuing to be under intense pressure.
Most organisations struggle with a coherent enterprise-wide contracts management strategy. The management of contracts tends to be devolved to a procurement department function. Challenges with resources on capacity and capability, as well as lack of digital infrastructure, expose the organisation to increased risk, loss of income and wasted opportunities and promote silo-working.
The government is coming under increasing pressure to deliver a significant pay increase for NHS staff in 2021/22 and to ensure this is fully funded.
NHS bodies in Wales have largely maintained good governance during the Covid-19 pandemic despite revised arrangements, and should consider retaining some of these changes in a post-pandemic world, according to Audit Wales.
Bermuda Hospitals Board’s chief financial officer reflects on a difficult nine months for all health systems and looks ahead to the immediate and longer-term challenges in 2021
This week saw the start of daily reports on progress with the Covid-19 vaccination programme, with concerns that it is not moving fast enough to meet the government’s February target, while Scotland became the first home nation to further tighten lockdown restrictions.
The National Cost Collection for 2020/21 looks likely to go ahead although NHS England and NHS Improvement are considering delaying the submission until the autumn to take account of pressures on costing teams.
NHS England and NHS Improvement have decided to roll over current financial arrangements into the first quarter of 2021/22.
The country should be proud of the whole NHS community – both those on the frontline and in support roles – for its response to the Covid-19 pandemic. All NHS staff deserve the country’s and the government’s on-going support, but we also need to ensure the service is better prepared and properly funded for future challenges.
While the NHS remains focused on meeting the urgent needs of patients with acute Covid-19, a new guideline from NICE covers the care of those suffering from longer term impacts of the virus.
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