Supporting joint working

The Audit Commission noted in 'Managing the financial implications of NICE Guidance' (September 2005) that implementation of NICE guidance is not always straightforward and individual NHS bodies could significantly improve local implementation by strengthening their financial management arrangements. Following this we have included information on effective financial planning on our website.

In order to recognize the contribution of organisations in this area NICE has sponsored one of the Healthcare Financial Management Association's (HFMA) awards. The award is for an individual or team that has actively contributed to implementation of NICE guidance with emphasis on working with others to meet financial challenges.

The year the winning entry was announced at the HFMA's Annual Conference Dinner on the 6th December. Commenting on the award Andrea Sutcliffe, former Deputy Chief Executive of NICE and member of the judging panel for this award, said "I congratulate the Christie Hospital on winning the clinical engagement award. Their submission highlighted the impact that NICE guidance can have not only on drug costs, but also service issues. The steps taken by the team to look ahead, budget and plan for forthcoming guidance with both finance staff and clinicians working together, backed up by implementation and monitoring, provides a strong framework that we would strongly endorse."

Entries from Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust and the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) NICE College were also shortlisted. We will encourage all the shortlisted entries to contribute to our shared learning database so everyone can learn from their experience.