Human life could be lost if millions of pounds isn’t ploughed into tackling the
problems likely to hit computer-operated equipment as a result of the turn of
the century date change.
The Institute of Health Services Management says its members know what to do - but they simply lack the resources.
The IHSM has given full support to a Parliamentary report that warns of
mounting NHS costs and the millennium threat to patient safety. 

Radical changes taking place across public services are putting communication on the corporate agenda. Where there is instability and uncertainty people inside and stakeholders outside organisations want to know what is happening. Those involved in change want to know what is going on elsewhere, particularly in other professional disciplines.
Public service bodies are responding to the communication challenge in a variety of ways. 

John Walker former Head of Communications, Brent LBC
The Society of Local Government Chief Executives and the Local Government Management Board worked with professional PR groups to produce this booklet. It looks at the role of chief executives in communicating with a wide variety of audiences. These include: residents, service recipients, employees, councillors, local media, local government world, other public sector organisations and the business community. 

Barker A
Public Administration, (UK), Spring 98 (76/1)
Start page: 1 No of pages: 24
Examines the divide made in UK government theory between policy, decided by government ministers, and administration/operations, carried out by the Civil Service and government agencies, and asks if this division is useful in sensitive areas of government, such as the prison service. 

As a new stream of young people enter the job market, a new survey has thrown light on the reasons many of them struggle to find work.

It appears to indicate that there is further need for improvement in
partnerships between Government, business and educationalists.
The report from Andersen Consulting working with The Prince’s’ Trust reveals
that young people looking for work think their qualifications are what employers want to hear about. 

The Institute of Health Services Management has given a cautious welcome to the Government’s plans to conduct a nation-wide survey of NHS patients and users.
Mike Lager, Vice-Chair of the IHSM, said the input from patients, carers and
staff was important, but added: “A survey cannot just consist of patients being
asked to tick a yes or no box, or answering multiple choice questions. 

Chapman R A
Public Money & Management, (UK), Jan-Mar 98 Vol 18 No 1
Start page: 9 No of pages: 5
Reflects on the nature of ethics in public service; considers the essence of decisions, constraints on these and pressures from outside of and within the administrative system; looks at the implications of the system of government and its constitution for ethics. 

The National Audit Office has listed how the Inland Revenue has gripped staff
corruption, committing substantial time and resources, following the conviction
of a senior tax inspector.
Michael Allcock was convicted in 1997 and imprisoned for five years on six
counts of corruption. Five other staff were disciplined, including demotion
for three. 

There’s been criticism of the Department of Health’s guidance on the
composition of Primary Care Groups.
The Local Government Association says the guidance does not go fare enough
towards securing, by right, more influence for local councils and councillors.
The LGA says the new PCG boards must have adequate local government
representation if the government’s health agenda is not to be undermined. 

Belman D, Gunderson M, Hyatt D (Eds)
Studies public sector employment and offers two suggestions for future directions in the rapidly changing system: one emphasizes improving the efficiency of government through innovative practices and a movement away from the bureaucratic, civil service model, while the other stresses cost cutting as an end in itself.