Health service network

The Health Service Network provides services to the 4,000 members and students working in the UK public health sector. Some of our latest activities and research are highlighted immediately below, while further down you will find details of the permanent support available to members of the Network.

Improving Cancer Outcomes Through Value-based Commissioning

This report, produced by ACCA in partnership with North East London Cancer Network, Roche Products Ltd and National Cancer Action Team, presents the results of joint research which concluded in an outcome-focused model which details a clinically effective care pathway for the three key elements of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Download a copy of the report from 'related documents' (see left).

Delivering the climate change agenda - is the NHS ready?

The NHS has been set some tough targets to reduce its carbon emissions. ACCA's new report examines how well equipped the NHS is to deliver its climate change agenda and sets out some recommendations to aide this process. Download a copy of the report from 'related documents' (see left).

Collaboration and communication technology at the heart of good clinical governance

ACCA has published a second report in collaboration with Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the European Commission Information Society Directorate which examines Collaboration and communication technology at the heart of good clinical governance, which continues the story, begun by ACCA in March 2010, of the impact that Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust’s (NUH) investment in wireless telephony and messaging is having on the safer and more effective delivery of care to patients. The new study now considers the impact of a further roll out of the technology to the Hospital at Night (H@N) service. Download a copy of the report from 'related documents' (see left).

Costing care pathways: understanding the cost of the diabetes care pathway

Costing care pathways: understanding the cost of the diabetes care pathway is a new report that ACCA has published in conjunction with the Audit Commission. It has found that care pathways are altered, and commissioning decisions made, with the intention of benefiting patients, but often without fully understanding the cost implications. The researchers found that poor quality data across outpatient and community services was the most common barrier to costing the pathways. Using diabetes as an illustration, the report shows how organisations can use nationally available data to chart spending at a high level for various conditions. This information can then be used to help track changes in pathways and the impact on costs. It can also be used to compare costs between primary care trusts and to identify possible areas for savings. Download a copy of the report from 'related documents' (see left).

Understanding governance in the NHS

Understanding Governance in the NHS is a three year collaborative survey by ACCA and the Department of Health. This newly published third and final report surveys current understanding of governance in the NHS and its development over the assigned period. The project evaluates the opinions held by board members of NHS organisations from 2007 to 2009, in order to assess trends in the effectiveness of governance initiatives on service improvement and financial management across the NHS. Download a copy of the 2010 report from 'related documents' (see left).

SERVICES FOR MEMBERS

ACCA UK organises the following services for health sector employees.

Quarterly magazine - Health Service Review

Health Service Review is published four times per year and mailed automatically to Health Service Network members. It contains news and feature articles on key issues affecting the healthcare sector, as well as the latest news on relevant ACCA activities, publications and events.

For more information visit the Health Service Review pages.

Networking events

The Network organises six evening networking events each year. Subjects covered include policy, technical and personal development topics. The majority of events are held in central London but, to broaden availability, they are audio recorded where possible and made available via the podcast page.

Attendance at these events constitutes verifiable Continuing Professional Development (CPD) - where the content is relevant to an individual's personal development plan.

Places are limited so advance booking is essential. For details of future events click here https://events.accaglobal.com .

Annual conference - England

ACCA organises an annual health conference in England. The event is taking place on Wednesday 17 September 2013.

Annual conference - Wales

ACCA organises an annual health conference in Wales. The event is taking place on Friday 19 September 2013.

Annual conference - Scotland

ACCA organises an annual health conference in Scotland. The event is taking place on Thursday 10 October 2013.

Professional courses

ACCA UK organises a programme of CPD courses which have been developed to meet the needs of members in the public sector. For more details visit visit the Professional Courses pages or call 020 7059 5910 to request a brochure.

Policy work

In addition to the above, ACCA undertakes various pieces of policy work, often in conjunction with other bodies such as the Department of Health, the Audit Commission or the European Commission. Our most recent reports are featured above and available to download from related documents (see left).

Facilities / services

ACCA UK has negotiated a number of special rates on products and services which benefit its members. For more information visit support services.