News & Events > Policy matters

The NHS Confederation has published a report which analyses the proposals contained in the White Paper, 'Liberating the NHS', and highlights key questions under themes such as GP commissioning, democratic legitimacy and outcomes. This week has also seen a legal challenge to the White paper from UNISON, who are challenging the Secretary of State for Health's refusal to consult the public on proposals in the White Paper.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles announced this week that the Audit Commission is to be scrapped. As well as being a local government auditor and advisor The Audit Commission has had a substantial role within the NHS. Mr Pickles said there would be a "new audit framework" for local health services.

The Department of Health in England has published a document containing its response to the public's comments on the NHS. The response is based on the top three issues raised by the public: the need to reduce bureaucracy, the argument that not all targets are inappropriate and questions regarding how GP commissioning will work. There is a separate document outlining the comments made on public health.

The Department of Health in England has conducted a review of its arms-length bodies (ALBs). Among those surviving are NICE, The Care Quality Commission and the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. The National Patient Safety Agency and NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement will be abolished.

Personal budgets allow local NHS trusts to put individuals in control of how, where and from whom they receive their healthcare. Additional funding has been allocated to the project to set up and run pilot schemes. An interim evaluation report of the personal health budget pilot programme was also published recently. It highlights some of the challenges the pilots face, such as including health and social care together and developing the market, so that genuine choices are available to people.