The Government has spelled out the help that GPs can give in cutting the benefits budget.And the DSS is hoping to encourage family doctors to change their approach to assessing patients.

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There’s been a warning that there needs to be a sea-change in approach to Government procurement if target savings of a billion pounds are to be met.Sir John Bourn, Head of the National Audit Office, has told Parliament that its plans to make the savings through the creation of the Office of Government Commerce won’t work unless backed by a strategic overhaul in thinking about procurement.

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Walmsley HPeople Management, (UK), 8 Apr 1999 Vol 5 No 7. Start page: 48. No of  pages: 3

Explains the need for managers to adapt their management styles if they want to empower their employees. Uses the example of an empowerment initiative at Bupa (the private UK health care organization) hospitals, focusing on the changes needed in the management style of the general manager at one of the hospitals. Underlines the need for managers to develop flexibility within their management style. Outlines how this was achieved at Bupa, describing the assessment and development offered to managers to help them develop a more supportive and facilitative management style. Discusses the need to balance this facilitative management style with the managers’ leadership role to make sure that the two do not conflict. Points out that a management style which empowers people need not necessarily preclude using an authoritarian management style – giving employees guidance as well as support.

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