Guidance from the newly created National Institute for Clinical Excellence will not on its own raise health standards. NHS Trusts and primary care groups will need to develop ways of translating the guidance into everyday practice. This is the conclusion of a report published by the King’s Fund.

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Councils have been invited to enter a competition for finding centres of local government excellence. Identifying potential candidates is the first move in the Beacon Council Scheme. Applicants will be assessed initially by a team from the Department for Environment Transport and the Regions and the Improvement and Development Agency. Finalists will be decided by an independent advisory panel. Successful councils will retain the status of a Beacon Council until April 2001.

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