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Policy Statements and Initiatives
DH: Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has announced an independent review to establish how the Modernising Medical Careers programme will go forward in 2008 & beyond. The review will be chaired by Sir John Tooke, Dean of the Peninsula Medical School, Chair of the Council of Heads of Medical Schools and Chair of the UK Health Education Advisory Committee.
The reform of specialist medical training is the next stage of the Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) initiative, designed to improve the quality & safety of patient care through better education & training for doctors and ensure fully trained specialist doctors deliver more NHS services.Press release ~ NHS MMC - Home ~ NHS MMC - Foundation Programmes ~ Sir Liam Donaldson's Unfinished Business report ~ Modernising Medical Careers Specialist Training Programme ~ BMA - MMC update ~ Medical Training and Application Service (MTAS)
CLG: Most first-time buyers purchasing a home with an 'E, F or G' energy rating could benefit from grants to help improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Subsidies of between £100 & £300 are typically available from energy suppliers to help fund the costs of insulation and other energy efficiency improvements. In addition some first-time buyers could be eligible for Government grants of up to as much as £2,700.
But the Government claims that it wants go further to make it easier for homebuyers to access grants for energy efficiency measures, linking them to new EPCs. This could include ideas such as a 'one stop shop' where homeowners, after receiving their energy ratings, could access grants and get reliable quotes at the same time, to carry out improvements needed.
Press release ~ Energy saving grants and offers - Energy Saving Trust ~ HIP website ~ Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) ~ Review of the Sustainability of Existing Buildings: the Energy Efficiency of Dwellings - Initial Analysis ~ Warm Front
