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The Department of Health is responsible for setting health and social care policy in England. The Department's work sets standards and drives modernisation across all areas of the NHS, social care and public health. As well as policy documents, this section of the site contains guidance on implementation.
List of topics covered in this area of the DH website.
This section of the site contains subsections on a comprehensive range of topics in healthcare and social care. Categorised policy documents, non-clinical guidance, newsletters, links and other resources can be accessed here.
The Department's policies determine how all areas of the NHS and social care are structured, financed and managed. This section contains information on modernisation plans as well as current arrangements.
The development and implementation of HR policies is crucial to obtaining and retaining a high performing workforce. The policies need to reflect the strategic objectives of organisations together with recognising the impact of wider demographic, sociological and technological trends and consider the medium and longer-term implications of these. Therefore the workforce requirements need to be considered strategically and help deliver national priorities as set out in local delivery or business plans. It is essential that there is a clear 'line of sight' between HR practices and the delivery of high quality services. Of central importance is creating the 'right' culture and developing 'customer' focused values. This section outlines the thinking behind these goals, and explains the various strategies that are helping to achieve them.
Giving patients more choice about how, when and where they receive treatment is one cornerstone of the Government's health strategy. Another is giving members of the public a bigger hand in shaping local care systems. This area of the website contains policy documents and guidance about how these goals are being achieved.
NHS contingency plans and advice on preparing for specific types of disasters and attacks.
Welcome to the Freedom of Information section of the site. The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000 received Royal Assent on 30 November 2000. The Act supersedes the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information 1997. On this first page you will find guidance on the most direct way to make a request for information, what to do if you are not happy with the way we handle your request and general information about the Department's FOI Publication Scheme.
The pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, medicines, prescribing and prescription forms, NHS charges and exemptions, local pharmaceutical services (LPS) pilots and local pharmaceutical budgets.
Information on international organisations with health-related functions, and guidance on the move to treat certain NHS patients overseas.
The Social Services Inspectorate's work transferred on 1 April 2004 to the Commission for Social Care Inspection, the new single inspectorate for social care in England, combining the work of the SSI, the SSI/Audit Commission Joint Review team and the social care work of the National Care Standards Commission. These pages provide access to historical SSI publications.
Health research is essential to tackle the increasing challenges that disease and ill health place on our society so the government is committed to raising the level of research and development that takes place in the NHS. The research programmes funded by the Department of Health ensure the policies and services provided by the NHS are based on the latest and most reliable evidence, and the needs of the public.
The development and ongoing implementation of the Department's IT strategy.
Ensuring equality of access to health and care services, and to employment opportunities, is a fundamental DH responsibility. The aim of this section is to give you key information about the Department's work on implementing policy and legislation to improve race relations and safeguard human rights across health and social care.
This section tells you how to get medical treatment abroad, including information on the European Health Insurance card, or EHIC - the replacement for the E111.
Shortcuts to the most frequently visited areas.
