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Simon Stevens calls for bold action to make NHS fit for the future

In his first speech since the general election, NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens shared his vision for a new partnership between the public, the government and the health service on three broad fronts – prevention, care redesign, and efficiency linked to new investment.

Latest from NHS England

London GP mental health scheme helps hundreds, skills up primary care staff and saves thousands

More than 600 people now visit their GP instead of the hospital for regular physical and mental health checks thanks to a successful London scheme saving the NHS thousands. Some of the money saved through this initiative has already been reinvested with East London NHS Foundation Trust to establish new services. The Clinical Commissioning Group is hoping to work alongside patients with mental health problems to support them getting back into the workplace.

Thousands of women confront mental health issues in thriving community perinatal scheme

Over the last five years, the Devon and Torbay Perinatal Health Team has helped thousands of pregnant women with mental health issues. Support and guidance is provided using a number of channels such as telephone conversations or face to face assessments. This scheme has resulted in reduced costs and improved care for patients and their families.The perinatal team have also created a film to support women experiencing perinatal health issues.

Innovation Test Beds search extended

Health and social care innovators now have until 12 June to express an interest in being part of the Test Beds Programme. A commitment of the Five Year Forward View, the programme is inviting expressions of interest from innovators from any sector in the UK and internationally who want to test their ideas to deliver health services in better ways at scale, and in real clinical settings. Through the programme, and with the support of the 15 Academic Health Science Networks, innovators will partner up to trial new technologies, digital services and other innovations with the potential to deliver big benefits to patients.

Mental health staff working with police and courts now cover half of England

New Liaison and Diversion teams are now in place across half of the country to ensure that vulnerable people are supported in both police custody and the courts. The first wave began in April 2014 and this initiative has recently expanded to cover 28.5 million people as part of a two year trial.

Elsewhere in health and care

Secretary of State writes to frontline staff

Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt MP has written a message to all staff, saying “I am humbled to be re-appointed Health Secretary, not least because of the enormous responsibility for hundreds of thousands of doctors, nurses and other NHS staff who are working incredibly hard right now and under enormous pressure”.  You can read the full message about the priorities for health and care on the gov.uk website.

Are you ready for Dying Matters Awareness Week 2015?

This year’s Dying Matters Awareness Week is happening this week from 18-24 May. Hundreds of community events and activities are planned, aimed at supporting people to talk about dying, death and bereavement and to make their end of life wishes known. The week will focus on the simple message, ‘Talk, Plan, Live.’

Upcoming events

NHS Confederation Annual Conference

Held on 3-5 June at the Arena and Convention Centre in Liverpool, theConfederation Annual Conference is the largest meeting of senior health and care leaders, decision-makers, partners and stakeholders following the 2015 general election. NHS England will be exhibiting alongside Care Quality Commission, NHS Trust Development Authority and Monitor on stand A7.

Health + Care 2015 and Commissioning 2015

Taking place on 24-25 June 2015 in London, this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever with improvements made across the programme of events. NHS England will be hosting its first speaking engagement zone on F45. The Healthcare Innovations Den and The Knowledge exchange Theatre are just two new and exciting additions to this year’s agenda, encouraging innovation, discussion and debate.