- The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has declared its opposition to the Health Bill 'in its entirety', in the latest blow to DH efforts to secure support for its NHS reforms from health professionals.
- Many clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) may fail to achieve authorisation in 2013 as 'fed up' GPs walk away, the NHS Alliance has warned.
- The DH is handing £100m to emerging clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in a bid to improve local services this winter.
- RCGP chairwoman Dr Clare Gerada will be running the final leg of a 160-mile protest run against the Health Bill.
- GP leaders are warning clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) could face a 'bureaucratic nightmare' after lawyers said EU proposals will require groups to competitively tender all services.
- As the government backs all of the NHS Future Forum report proposals, GP leaders are taking a more cautious approach.
- The government has accepted all of the NHS Future Forum's recommendations on the future of the NHS, including the call for the GMS contract to be used to incentivise integration.
- Watch Professor Steve Field, chairman of the NHS Future Forum, on why he thinks single-handed practices are 'outdated' and how the quality premium and GMS contract could be used to encourage integration.
- The majority of clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) across England have passed the first step towards authorisation, the DH commissioning czar has said.
- The GMC is looking to extend its legal powers to formally approve medical trainers outside of general practice.
- The GMC spends around £280,000 each year for private medical insurance for its staff, the regulator has revealed.
- Integration should be given the same priority over the next decade as reducing waiting times was given over the past 10 years, the King's Fund and Nuffield Trust have recommended.
- There is huge variation in the amount GPs are being paid to take part in commissioning, the Labour party has found.
- The government will pilot plans to abolish practice boundaries in London, Manchester and Nottingham from April 2012, the health secretary has announced.
- The GMC is developing guidance on what action should be taken if a doctor is alleged to have assisted in a suicide.
- PCTs are refusing to hand clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) delegated budgets unless they merge with neighbouring groups, lawyers have warned.
- Revalidation should go ahead even if issues about who will carry out and pay for remediation have not been resolved, the GMC has said.
- The GMC is cutting its annual retention fees for doctors for the first time in 40 years, the regulator has announced.
- PCT allocations for 2012/13 will grow by 2.8% to put the NHS in a 'strong position' to deliver on government priorities, the DH has announced.
- All A&E departments in south west London should have an integrated urgent care centre attached to deal with primary care and urgent care caseload, a group of local clinicians has suggested.
