A new MRSA objective will focus progress on Trusts that need to improve the most, Health Minister Ann Keen announced yesterday.
From April 2010, the MRSA objective will be applied to all NHS organisations to ensure patients receive clean safe care across the whole NHS.

New core standards for Assistant Practitioners are published today by Skills for Health, the Sector Skills Council for healthcare.
The standards were developed in response to requests from employers and commissioners concerned at variation in the responsibilities, education and training of staff employed in the role.

A survey by US think tank the Commonwealth Fund has rated the NHS top in a number of key areas comparative to other international health systems. Nigel Edwards comments on its findings
The survey of 10,000 primary care physicians in 11 countries shows the NHS leading on reduced waiting times, using financial incentives to drive quality [...]

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) welcomed the publication of the Health Select Committee report on the use of management consultants.
Dr Peter Carter of the RCN said:
“We have been calling for some time for the amount of money spent on management consultants to be transparent, and for trusts to justify taking funds away from direct [...]

With just days to go before the implementation of the 48-hour working week for junior doctors, the BMA’s junior doctors’ leader warns that not all of the NHS is prepared for the European Working Time Directive.