Kursh S
Training & Development, (USA), Mar 98 (52/3)
Start page: 50 No of pages: 4
Reviews four distance learning software products which can be used for Web-based training, assessing the features of the software. Provides a comparative table showing the functions and features provided for training administration, course development, instruction and studying. Also compares the hardware and software requirement and costs. 

Health Secretary Frank Dobson announced today that the whole of the Government is committed to a public health crusade against inequalities.The programme will involve the whole of the public sector.
“This is an across the board programme. Every Government Department is joined up and signed up to tackle the things that make people ill - poverty, low pay, unemployment, poor housing, environmental pollution, crime and disorder” said Mr. Dobson. 

Public service managers will need to consider their information management practices closely when the Government publishes its draft Freedom of Information Bill in September.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Dr David Clark, today said: “The Government’s commitment to a radical FOI Act is clear, and has already been set out in the White Paper Your Right to Know. 

Giglio L, Diamante T, Urban J M
Journal of Management Development, (UK), Vol 17 No 2 98
Start page: 93 No of pages: 13
Catalogues the pressures that a senior executive has to deal with, particularly at times of organizational change. Suggests that providing coaching (both for the executive and the other senior management team members) can help when these pressures become too great and the executive’s ability to lead the organization suffers. 

Clinical negligence costing 300 million pounds a year is putting excessive pressure on health funds according to the Institute of Health Services Management.
‘What makes this news particularly disturbing is the number of health authorities and trusts that have got in severe financial difficulties. 

Margaret Beckett, President of the Board of Trade today said that public and private enterprise can deal with the millennium bug if managers face up to the problem.
Her comments follow the publication of the second Science and Technology Select Committee report setting out an action programme across Government for dealing with the Millennium bug problem. 

Sue Dopson, Lecturer in Management Studies and Fellow in Organizational Behaviour, Templeton College, Oxford
This book uses the case of the National Health Service to examine the management of ambiguity and change. Studies of the implementation of the Griffiths Report have identified a number of unintended consequences, but it is argued that they have not adequately theorised these outcomes in the policy implementation process. 

Divestment or investment?
Lyon P, Hallier J, Glover I
Human Resource Management Journal, (UK), Vol 8 No 1 98
Start page: 56 No of pages: 11
Investigates the apparent contradiction within human resource management by which the idea of long-term investment in the workforce is endorsed while at the same time the loyalty, commitment and skills of older and long-service workers are questioned. 

The Audit Commission has warned that public organisations or managers may be held legally liable for any injuries or losses caused by failures of systems as a result of the Millennium bug. And the Commission has called on authorities and trusts need to work together with their suppliers to co-ordinate their efforts.
The majority of local authorities and NHS trusts are behind schedule in tackling the year 2000 bug successfully. 

A new Audit Commission report which states that housing authorities are struggling to cope with changing and rising demand suggests that better partnership working at local and national would provide better services.
The picture is not one of consistent under-performance. The worst performing authorities could learn from the best practice established by others.