Campaign highlights incorrect use of NHS emergency services which could cost up to £100 million across England

The Carbon and Energy Fund, announced at IHEEM 2011, is based on good solid NHS precedents, such as; The NHS Energy & Sustainability Fund, which it follows as closely as it can; The P21 and P21 Plus procurement frameworks that have helped so many projects; and a set of over 20 pilot projects in the NHS, saving over £15m in the last year alone.

News highlights this fortnight are:

•    An insight into the CRC Performance League Tables;
•    A free review of your NHS vehicle fleet to save money and carbon;
•    Busy in the press.  Sustainability in the HSJ, BMJ, HefmA and HFMA.

To view the full bulletin click here

New information on mortality rates in NHS hospitals has been published today as part of plans to give patients and the public more transparent and robust information about their local NHS.

The new Summary Hospital-level Mortality Indicator (SHMI) compares the actual number of patients who die following treatment at a trust with the number who would be expected to die, given the characteristics of the patients treated there.

Health staff who raise concerns about poor patient care will be protected in the future under new changes to the NHS Constitution, according to the Department for Health. The changes will also make it clear that it is the duty of all NHS workers to report bad practice or any mistreatment of patients receiving care from the health service.

The rules that allow healthcare professionals to practise throughout the EU pose an unacceptable risk to the safety of patients, according to a report by a House of Lords committee which was published today. The committee's key finding was that the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive, which governs the mobility of healthcare professionals within the EU and is currently under review, strikes the wrong balance between allowing  healthcare professionals to work in other EU countries and ensuring the safety of patients.

Professor Malcolm Grant has been named by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley as the preferred choice to head up the NHS Commissioning Board, the independent body that will drive continuous improvements in quality in the NHS.

This consultation sets out HSE's proposals to introduce revised Control of Asbestos Regulations to implement the changes required to comply with the European Commission's reasoned opinion on the UK Government's transposition of Directive 83/477/EEC as amended by 2003/18/EC on the protection of workers from the risks of exposure to asbestos at work.

News highlights this fortnight are:

•    Get a free procurement carbon footprint for your organisation; 
•    Win a prize for your case study
•    Free e-learning for procurement and carbon management professionals.

To view the full bulletin click here

Experts in the field, including directors of public health, advise that the government’s health and social care bill will cause ‘irreparable harm’ reports The Telegraph.

News highlights this fortnight are:

•    Regional Directors of Public Health have sustainability in their remit
•    Win a prize for your case study!
•    Who won at the HSJ awards?

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Commenting on the media story that NHS Direct is closing three of its contact centres, Nick Chapman, Chief Executive of NHS Direct

Dr Peter Carter, head of the Royal College of Nursing, has called for visiting hours in hospitals to be extended.

Commenting on the Scottish Government's Comprehensive Spending Review which was published on Wednesday 21 September, 2011

While a few health service organisations were trying to improve the environments for the dying and their families and friends, more needed to be done, says Sarah Waller, programme director of the King’s Fund.