Acute Sector 

We have a team of policy and communications experts working to support our acute trust and foundation trust members with a range of products and services.  

From 2012/13 we will also be developing a member forum on urgent and emergency care and more information will be available soon.

Of interest to acute sector members

Our dedicated work programme covers issues of specific interest to acute sector members, but other NHS Confederation work and responses to external developments are also relevant.  

NHS Operating Framework and Autumn statement

For example, in November 2011 we responded to the Operating Framework for 2012/13, saying it shifts the NHS into [reform] implementation mode and away from the political debate. Our briefing for members sets out the key points of the NHS Operating Framework, alongside our reaction, and some of the specific points our acute sector members and others asked for the Framework to include.  

Visit our publications library to access the briefing and handy pull out maps to help you find your way round the Operating Framework, NHS Outcomes Framework and frameworks for adult social care and public health.  

And read our summary of the Chancellor’s November 2011 Autumn Statement. 

Useful publications and links

Visit our publications library for the full range of NHS Confederation publications.  

See below a snapshot of recent publications of interest to acute sector members, and follow the link to access each.   

• A positive partnership – independent sector and the NHS. Our October 2011 briefing describes the independent healthare sector's engagment with the NHS in England in recent years and provides essential background information. 
• The influence of health services research on the NHS. This briefing (September 2011) covers some key issues that challenge NHS clinicians and managers on a daily basis, and looks at where HSR has addressed them. 
• With money in mind: the benefits of liaison psychiatry. The Birmingham RAID liaison psychiatry service has brought in terms of cost savings and improved health and well-being for patients. Read more in our November 2011 briefing. 
• The search for low cost integrated healthcare – a December 2011 paper examining a pioneering approach to the provision of integrated healthcare through public-private partnership; the Alzira model from the region of Valencia, Spain.  

Latest news

Keep an eye on our home page and latest news web pages for reaction and commentary on external developments as they happen, for example:

• New NHS Confederation policy forum
• Members’ views on Bill key part of our briefing for peers
• Strong leadership and management needed to meet challenges
• Competition and integration not mutually exclusive
• Effective and intelligent regulation needed
• EU energy rules for public procurement
• Response to PAC report on non-foundation trust challenges
• NHS Confederation joins forces with ABPI and ABHI.

Foundation Trust Network

The Foundation Trust Network (FTN) has been independent of the NHS Confederation since 2010 but the NHS Confederation continues to work closely and collaboratively with the FTN on issues affecting our members.  

Visit the FTN website.