Healthcare Markets

GP representatives have hit back at criticism from the Secretary of State for Health over pressure on NHS A&E services. In a speech last month Jeremy Hunt MP blamed changes to GP working hours for an extra four million people going to hospital each year. The changes introduced by the Labour government in 2004 allowed doctors to opt out of out of hours care for a reduction in salary.

Industry players have welcomed the findings of Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, medical director of the NHS, in his review into the UK’s cosmetic surgery industry which has finally reported. The review assessed the current rules in England, investigating products, practitioners, insurance, patient information and consent, advertising and marketing of cosmetic interventions.

GPs and other primary care staff need empowerment to lead a more proactive approach to prevention and help people remain healthy into old age, according to a new report written by the Nuffield Trust.

Bupa is closing the independent Board of the Bupa Foundation, the medical research charity. The board will cease to fund and manage medical research grants, taking effect on 28 June 2013.

The Doctors Laboratory, the provider of clinical pathology services, in its report and financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2102, showed turnover was up to £50.9m (2011: £41.3m). Cost of sales was £35.6m (2011: £25.5m). Administrative expenses were £7.4m (2011: £6.4m), which along with other operating income of £584,000 (2011: £411,000) and interest payments of £146,000 (2011: £132,000) led to a profit before tax of £8.3m (2011: £9.7m). The directors say: We have experienced increased activity in the NHS pathology opportunities, and the resulting increase in bid costs has led to the reduction in after tax profits. These tenders are complex and can take between one and two years to finalise.

Foresters Friendly Society has launched a new GP Consultation Service which provides its members with access to medical advice around the clock. The new service is part of the Foresters Extras package (providing discretionary optical and dental grants, a legal advice helpline, and a discounted will writing service) which is available to all Foresters members when they take out a policy.

Denplan, the dental payment plan specialist, has appointed Pam Whelan to its executive leadership team as head of corporate.

The Private Patients’ Forum (PPF) has announced Sir Nicholas Bonsor has become its chairman. Sir Nicholas’ experience ranges from being a barrister, an MP and a government minister as well as having a continuing career at Board level across a range of companies.

Following the news that private providers who take on outsourced NHS staff under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006) will be able to access the NHS Pension Scheme for transferring employees, it is worth exploring the situation as it was and is now. Regulation 3 of the National Health Service (Procurement, Patient Choice and Competition) (No. 2) Regulations 2013 (the Regulations) (which at the time of writing this article remained in draft form) states:

Circle Holdings has appointed Steve Melton as the permanent chief executive officer. Mr Melton assumed the role of interim chief executive in December 2012, having served as Circle's head of mobilisation and head of operations respectively since joining Circle in February 2008. Mr Melton led the opening of the Bath and Reading hospitals in March 2010 and August 2012, the initiation and re-bid on the Nottingham Treatment Centre contract and final phases of bidding, negotiation, and mobilisation of the Hinchingbrooke contract.