Freedom of Information

• Introduction •
• 1. How we Fit •
• 2. Who we are •
• 3. Finance & Funding •
• 4. Corporate •
• 5. Aims •
• 6. Services •
• 7. Reports •
• 8. Policies •
• 9. Public Involvement •
• 10. Publications •
• 11. Complaints •
• 12. Human Resources •
• 13. Media •
• 14. Environmental •
• 15. Publication Scheme •
• Request Form •
• Main menu •

Class description: Planning documents outlining how we fit into the NHS structure

This class of information describes who we are and how we fit into the National Strategic Framework.

The Department of Health sets overall policy on all health issues and is responsible for the provision of health services through the NHS. Key national documents can be found on their website: www.doh.gov.uk which includes such papers as:

• The NHS Improvement Plan: Putting people at the heart of the public services
  This document sets out the priorities for the NHS between now and 2008. It supports the ongoing commitment to a 10-year process of reform first set out in The NHS Plan.
  
  
• National Standards, Local Action Health and Social Care Standards and Planning Framework 2005/06-2007/08
  This sets out the framework for all National Health Service (NHS) organisations and social service authorities to use in planning over the next financial three years.
  
  
• NHS Plan: a plan for investment, a plan for reform (2000)
  The NHS Plan constituted the biggest change to healthcare in England since the NHS was formed in 1948. The document set out how increased funding and reform would aim to redress geographical inequalities, improve service standards, and extend patient choice. It outlined the vision of a health service designed around the patient: a new delivery system for the NHS as well as changes between health and social services, changes for NHS doctors, for nurses, midwives, therapists and other NHS staff, for patients and in the relationship between the NHS and the private sector.
  
  
• National Service Frameworks
  One of the Healthcare Commission's statutory functions is to monitor and review the implementation of standards set out in national services frameworks (NSF).
  
  
• Improving Working Lives
  This Standard is a blueprint by which NHS employers and staff can measure the management of human resources. Organisations are kite-marked against their ability to demonstrate a commitment to improving the working lives of their employees.
  
  
• Agenda for Change
  A system of pay put in place for most NHS-employed staff. It is simpler and more flexible than the old system, and is directly linked to work rather than job titles.
  
  
• Agenda for Change: What will it mean for you? A guide for staff
  This is a guide for staff, giving an overview of the new Agenda for Change pay system
  
  
• Making Partnership Work for Patients, Carers and Service Users
  This is the first Agreement exclusively between the Department of Health, the NHS and the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS). It will benefit patients, carers and service users by providing them with real alternatives so that they can choose services that best suit their needs
  
  
• Publication and Statistics
  Almost all current and many old Department of Health publications, including statistical reports, surveys, press releases, circulars and legislation, are available in electronic form from the following link to the Department of Health. Hard copies of most documents can be ordered free of charge by quoting the title and reference number wherever possible.  You can place an order by post, telephone, fax or email.
  
  
  Write to:
  Department of Health
  PO Box 777
  London SE1 6XH
  
  Telephone: 08701 555455
  Fax: 01623 724524
  
  
• Policy and Guidance
  The Department of Health is responsible for setting health and social care policy in England. The Department’s work sets standards and drives modernisation across all areas of the NHS, social care and public health. As well as policy documents, their Policy and Guidance section contains guidance on implementation.
  
  
• News
  By clicking on the link above you can find out about ‘ What's new’ on the Department of Health website, including reports of speeches, conferences and events in health and social care

• Consultations
  Consultations are an opportunity for stakeholders and the wider public to contribute to Department of Health policies. The link to Consutlation provides information about ‘live’ and closed consultations, the Department’s responses to recent consultations and the consultations library.
  

• Procurement and Proposals
  The above link provides information about purchasing and tenders within the Department of Health and the NHS
  

The NHS is a very large part of the public sector and is described in more detail on its web pages NHS Choices and the following diagram illustrates the links between health organisations in the delivery of care. There are over six hundred NHS Trusts; a full list can be found on the NHS Choices website

Following public consultation Gloucestershire saw the reconfiguration of its health services. In April 2002 Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was established. These details can be found in the Consultation Document - Meeting the Challenge. We were one of 10 NHS Hospital Trusts linked to the Avon Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority. In July 2004 we received NHS Foundation Trust status.

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides a comprehensive range of general acute hospital services to the population of Gloucestershire and parts of neighbouring counties. A full list of our services appears in Class 6 of the Publication Scheme.

The Trust undertakes significant partnership working not only with other NHS organisations, including those shown on our county web site Gloucestershire Health Services, but also with non-NHS organisations to ensure local delivery of services and their development in accordance with national guidance and local needs. Further details of partner organisations can be found in the section Working in Partnership in Class 2

In Gloucestershire we have Shared Services hosted by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that provide the health community organisations with services in Finance, Procurement and Estates.