The Government did not meet its goal of transferring by 1 June 2014 all people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour, for whom it was appropriate, from mental hospitals into the community.
There is considerable scope to make further improvements in cancer services and patient outcomes across England.
This Departmental Overview is one of 17 we have produced covering our work on each major government department. It summarises our work on the Department for Health.
We report on our investigation arising from the findings of Internal Audit for the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman regarding the management of conflicts of interest in procuring services during a fundamental change programme.
Public Health England has made a good start in supporting local authorities with their new responsibilities for public health but it is too soon to tell whether its approach is achieving value for money.
The Better Care Fund is an innovative idea but the quality of early preparation and planning did not match the scale of the ambition. Current plans forecast £314m of savings for the NHS rather than the £1 billion in early planning assumptions.
Financial risk is increasing in NHS trusts and foundation trusts. Those in severe financial difficulty continue to rely on cash support from the Department of Health.
There is wide variation in the extent to which £79 billion in central funding allocated to local health bodies differs from target allocations that are based on relative need.
• This is NAO’s first report on funding since the 2013 health reforms took effect. Where possible comparisons have been made with funding under the previous system set out in a 2011 NAO report.
In response to questions raised by the House of Commons Health Committee in late 2013 and wider Parliamentary interest, we conducted an investigation into five specific concerns about NHS Property Services. Our investigation established the facts relating to these concerns.
May 2014
In response to questions raised by the House of Commons Health Committee in late 2013 and wider Parliamentary interest, we conducted an investigation into five specific concerns about NHS Property Services. Our investigation established the facts relating to these concerns.
May 2014
This Departmental Overview is one of 17 we have produced covering our work on each major government department. It summarises our work on the Department for Health.
The new system of regulating financial services will need to demonstrate in future that the cost of two regulators achieves value for money for customers.
The provision of adequate adult social care poses a significant public service challenge. Demand for care is rising while public spending is falling.
Monitor has achieved value for money in regulating NHS foundation trusts, and has generally been effective in helping trusts in difficulty to improve.
The NAO has identified inconsistencies in the way trusts measure waiting time and errors in the time recorded.
Many emergency admissions to hospital are avoidable and many patients stay in hospital longer than is necessary.
The NAO reports on the use of confidentiality clauses and severance payments in three more areas of government.
Malaria is a serious health risk. Further progress in the fight against the disease will depend on a growth in commitment and capacity from countries receiving UK aid.
This Departmental Overview is one of 15 we are producing covering our work on each major government department. It summarises our work on the Department of Health during 2011-12.
This Departmental Overview is one of 17 we have produced covering our work on each major government department. It summarises our work on the Department of Health during 2010-2011.