This pack from the Centre for Public Scrutiny demonstrates that public scrutiny is starting to make a difference. Across the public sector non-executive scrutineers are enhancing the accountability of public bodies. The publication highlights the experiences of eight non-executive scrutiny chairs who have influenced executive colleagues in key decisions and made an impact on the well-being of the communities they represent. The case studies include the recovery of fly-tipping land for regeneration in Rotherham, the championing of early years education in Kent and a bus service for disenfranchised youth in Durham. The case studies show that the scrutiny process holds powerful executives to account, that it promotes real change while at the same time it is a mechanism for listening to public concerns.The pack is available from http://www.cfps.org.uk  http://www.cfps.org.uk/
Social Services departments in Wales have been told there is room for improvement in the services they provide for disabled people. A report from the Social Services Inspectorate for Wales says most people with disabilities say their experience of social services has been positive but it sets out a checklist for social services and service users to help evaluate progress in future.The report is an overview of six inspections carried out during 2001 and early 2002, of social services for adults with physical or sensory disabilities. The inspections looked at how well local authorities were fulfilling their responsibilities for providing services, directly and through partnerships with others, and how well placed they were to sustain and improve services. All the authorities have already produced individual action plans in response to the inspectors’ findings.
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Thirty-two NHS trusts are to pilot a new scheme to make extra payments to doctors for delivering extra treatments. The trusts will try a variety of schemes, testing how the NHS can most effectively reward clinicians who do the most for patients.Consultants and other staff will receive bonus payments for operations or other treatments that they perform on top of the work they would normally be expected to carry out. The Fee for Service pilot schemes will involve around 400 doctors and other clinical staff and it is expected that they will mean 8,000 additional operations and 6,000 more outpatient consultations.