Correspondence

NHS foundation trust bulletin: 3 February 2016

Published 3 February 2016

Applies to England

1. For action

1.1 Board secretaries: share your views on quality reports and governance reviews by 19 February

What are your views on requirements for the 2015/16 quality reports?

We’re asking board secretaries and quality governance teams to tell us what you think of our proposed content and assurance requirements for the 2015/16 foundation trust quality reports.

Please share your views on:

• our proposals for the indicators which are subject to external assurance
• our proposal to clarify how auditors should report a modified conclusion on their limited assurance work
• who should provide the external assurance on quality reports from 2016/17

We’ll consider all of your responses when we’re finalising the requirements for 2015/16, and your feedback will help inform 2016/17 onwards.

Please share your feedback by 5pm Friday 19 February.

Help shape the governance review process described in the well-led framework

The majority of you will be due to complete your next governance review under the well-led framework before 30 April 2017. To help us understand how we can improve the process, please complete a short survey where you can:

• share your learning from the governance review process
• help inform any future updates to the framework
• let us know if your organisation would like any additional support with governance reviews and governance development

Please can all foundation trusts complete the survey (regardless of whether you have already undertaken a well-led governance review) by 5pm Friday 19 February.

If you have any queries, please email governance@monitor.gov.uk.

1.2 Reduced price caps on agency staff now in place

The latest price caps for spend on agency staff came into place on 1 February, to reduce spending further and help ensure that more people move back to substantive and bank roles.

Here are the changes to price caps as a percentage above basic substantive hourly rates:

Job type	Maximum charge from 23 November 2015	Maximum charge from 1 February 2016
Junior doctors	150% above basic	100% above basic
Other medical staff	100% above basic	75% above basic
All other clinical staff	100% above basic	75% above basic
Non-clinical staff	55% above basic	55% above basic

We are grateful for the efforts you’ve already taken to help deliver this significant change. The price caps are having a positive effect on agency spend and we’re pleased to hear that many of you have found them helpful; please do continue to comply fully with the caps.

2. Events

Event name	Event details	Who is it for?	Why attend?	How can I sign up?
Provider conference: jointly organised and hosted by NHS Improvement and NHS Providers	London, Thursday 11 February	NHS trust and foundation trust leaders	Hear about and discuss: the provider ‘roadmap’; the planning round and immediate priorities for delivery; the role and purpose of NHS Improvement.	Registration has now closed. If you have any questions about the conference, please email events@nhsproviders.org.
Nurse director engagement and improvement event	Manchester, Friday 5 February	Nurse directors from NHS trusts and foundation trusts	Discuss national priorities and common challenges.	Email Henal.Patel@monitor.gov.uk to book your place.
Medical director engagement and improvement events	Birmingham, Monday 22 February: London, Thursday 3 March	Medical directors from NHS and foundation trusts	Discuss national priorities and common challenges and a focused session on the national planning guidance. Please note that the event on 10 February has been cancelled due to the proposed junior doctors’ strike.	Find out more and book your place.
Whistleblowing employment support scheme workshop	London, Tuesday 23 February	HR directors and local guardians	This workshop is being run by NHS England, Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority for employers, regulators and whistleblowers. The day will focus on ways to help whistleblowers return to work where they have lost their jobs as a result of raising a concern.	Register your interest by emailing alison.kirk5@nhs.net.

3. External updates and events

3.1 From NHS IMAS: annual intensive support team’s elective care conference on 20 April, King Power Stadium in Leicester

This event is aimed at anyone involved in the provision, commissioning or system management of elective care services, including cancer and diagnostics. This year’s conference gives you the opportunity to attend 3 workshops during the day with a choice across the following work streams:

• referral to treatment
• diagnostics
• cancer

You can choose to attend workshops within the same work stream or across all 3.

On the day you will also hear from keynote speakers including David Sloman, Chief Executive, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

If you are interested in attending this event, please email nhsimas.ist@nhs.net.

3.2 From the Florence Nightingale Foundation: annual conference 17 and 18 March, London

This 2 day conference has accreditation from both the Royal College of Nursing and Royal College of Midwives, and is aimed at all nurses, midwives and healthcare professionals across all aspects of healthcare delivery, who are seeking to enhance their continuing professional development or continuing medical education. There will be a range of speakers and masterclasses as well as networking opportunities.

Find out more and register for the conference.

3.3 From the Patient Information Forum (PIF): annual conference for people working in health and care information and support

The theme of this year’s conference is working in partnerships, with a focus on developing inclusive, mutually beneficial relationships across a range of sectors that improve the quality of health information and support, and the experience of care for patients and the public.

The day will involve a presentation of case studies, a question and answer session, and dedicated networking sessions.

Find out more and register your place by visiting the PIF website or emailing nicole.naylor@pifonline.org.uk.

3.4 From NHS England: biosimilar medicine workshops for finance directors

We previously advised you of NHS England’s new guide on the use of biosimilar medicines in the NHS. NHS England, alongside a number of academic health science networks, is now running 2 workshops to ensure that finance directors and colleagues have access to the information and materials that you need to support your use of biological medicines, including biosimilar medicines, across the NHS.

The events will take place on the following dates:

• London, Monday 7 March
• Leeds, Friday 11 March

Find out more and register here.

If you have any further queries about the events, please email england.biosimilars@nhs.net.

3.5 From the Department of Health (DH): reminder of consultation on extending charges from overseas visitors and migrants for NHS services

DH is seeking views on proposed changes to extend further the charging of overseas visitors and migrants who use the NHS. If you haven’t already responded, you have until 7 March 2016 to provide feedback. You can find out more on the DH website.

3.6 From Health Education England (HEE): consultation on a new nursing support role

HEE is asking for views on the scope and design of a new nursing support role which is designed to work alongside care assistants and registered nurses to deliver hands-on care, focusing on ensuring patients continue to get the compassionate care they deserve.

It will provide a route to nursing for those who want to become a registered nurse and will work alongside healthcare support workers and fully-qualified nurses.

The consultation is open to anyone who uses or works in health and social care and it closes at midnight on 11 March.

You can find further information and details on how to take part on HEE’s website.

4. Get in touch

4.1 Our latest job opportunities

For more information or to apply, please visit our recruitment website joinmonitor.com.

4.2 Queries or feedback

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