The bonus scheme that incentivises general practitioners to improve their services to patients is failing in some areas, because of poor oversight of the payments being made. This is the conclusion of the Audit Commission which examined how the Department of Health’s Quality and Outcomes Framework is working.

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The reluctance of many councils to explore the opportunities for greater efficiency through sharing back office and other services has been overcome as a result of shrinking budgets.

A survey of senior local authority managers by Browne Jacobson found that nine in ten councils are looking to share more front line services in the next two years. Almost two-thirds will target back office functions and 68 per cent front line services in the next year. Some 85 per cent of local authorities might also consider outsourcing on a service by service basis whilst 78 per cent would also consider setting up a joint venture with the private sector. Environmental and social care services are the two most popular areas where senior managers would consider sharing.

Read more on SPENDING CUTS PUT SHARED SERVICES ON THE AGENDA…