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The most recently published accident and emergency figures show the English hospital sector is still missing the national target for 95 per cent of patients to be seen within four hours.

PERFORMANCE: Patients at East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust are getting better, safer care thanks to an initiative to improve the training and supervision of junior medical staff, especially at weekends.

Clinical commissioning groups will be encouraged to experiment with different ways of paying for care next year, in what could be the start of the biggest reform of NHS payment systems since the introduction of payment by results.

NHS England and Monitor today said they wanted to allow “more widespread local experimentation” with novel ways of paying for NHS services “straight away”, as the first step in a major reform of payment by results.

“Unprecedented” central pressure and a procurement process focused more on cost than quality were two of the biggest factors in the failure of NHS 111’s launch, a new report has concluded.

Capita is in talks with the Department for Health over government plans to axe its NHS Choices contract, HSJ has learned.

Capita is in talks with the Department for Health over government plans to axe its NHS Choices contract, HSJ has learned.

Capita is in talks with the Department for Health over government plans to axe its NHS Choices contract, HSJ has learned.

The guide, jointly produced by the British Dietetic Association and the Malnutrition Task Force, sets out and defines the principles of best practice, the moral, legal, quality and financial case for changes in tackling malnutrition in people in later life in the UK. It presents real practical advice and support for health care, social care and care provided by voluntary organisations to deliver the changes needed to combat the current levels of malnutrition in the UK.

• Guide
• BDA - press release

The commission was tasked to look into how the Metropolitan Police Service deals with incidents involving people with mental health problems. This report outlines findings including: a lack of mental health awareness amongst staff and officers; problems with interagency working; lack of training and policy guidance in suicide prevention; and the failure of procedures to provide adequate care to vulnerable people in custody.

• Report
• Mind - press release

This case study is part of a series designed to share good practice and lessons learned by local NHS organisations involved in major reviews of local health services. It features a review of maternity services in Sandwell and West Birmingham that led to a radical change in the maternity care model, improving the quality of care and facilities available.

• Case study
• NHS Confederation - publications

This report looks at the nature of employee voice and the impact of social media. It also considers some of the barriers to using social media to improving employee voice within organisations.

• Report
• NHS Employers - publications

This letter explains the continuation of the temporary programme for whooping cough (pertussis) vaccination for pregnant women. The programme will be continued to 2014 and will remain under review by the Joint Commitee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

• Letter
• Department of Health - publications

This monthly update reports against objectives set out in the Department of Health business plan 2012-15 and is part of a commitment across government to promote transparency and accountability.

• Update
• Department of Health - publications

This document aims to provide an update on the government’s policy on safeguarding adults vulnerable to abuse and neglect. It includes the statement of principles for Local Authority Social Services and housing, health, the police and other agencies to use, for both developing and assessing the effectiveness of their local safeguarding arrangements.

• Statement
• Department of Health - publications

These factsheets have been produced to accompany the Care Bill which was introduced into Parliament on the 9th May 2013, and published on 10th May 2013.

• Department of Health - publications

NHS England and Moniotr have announced plans to overhaul payment by results, continuing concern over A&E performance and the rest of the days news.

NHS England and Moniotr have announced plans to overhaul payment by results, continuing concern over A&E performance and the rest of the days news.

A round up of the health stories from the weekend’s papers and the rest of today’s news

WORKFORCE: University Hospitals of Leicester has appointed Richard Mitchell as chief operating officer.