NHS Confederation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The NHS Confederation is an association of National Health Service (NHS) bodies, and organisations associated with the NHS, within England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is an independent organisation which includes amongst its objectives:
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- influencing health policy and the wider public debate
- supporting health leaders with information-sharing, networking and tailor-made services
- promoting excellence in employment to improve the working lives of healthcare staff
The confederation claims 92% membership from NHS bodies, and also includes other outside bodies and private sector organisations in its membership. Its Chief Executive is Dame Gill Morgan.
In 2004 the confederation formed NHS Employers, which represents all NHS organisations in England in their roles as employers (whether or not they are members of the Confederation).
[edit] Annual conference
The NHS Confederation holds an annual conference, attended primarily by senior leaders in NHS organisations.
Conference programmes consist of a series of keynote speeches, including from government and opposition leaders and health secretaries, and sessions designed to allow attendees to understand the current direction of health policy, technology, and other developments. This year's conference takes place in Manchester 18-20 June 2008 and the key theme is delivering the future today'. Key speakers include the Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP, David Nicholson, Nigel Edwards and Andrew Lansley. The chair of the conference is David Walker.
In the run up to the conference the NHS Confederation are producing a series of debate papers designed to stimulate new thinking on future challenges to the health service. The first paper, entitled "Funding tomorrow today: Social care for older people and vulnerable adults" suggests a new approach to the funding of social care through a social insurance model.
[edit] Publications
The NHS Confederation also produce regular reports on key health care issues including the Darzi review, social care funding, polyclinics and the NHS operating framework.
