National studies from the Audit Commission, addressing strategic issues affecting specific sectors as well as the public sector as a whole.http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/en-gbCopyright 2012, Audit Commission.webmaster@audit-commission.gov.ukhttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/PublishingImages/Template/logo_print.gifhttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/health/financialmanagement/Pages/AC-monitor-CIPS-20120118.aspxThe Audit Commission and Monitor have jointly published a guide called ‘Delivering sustainable cost improvement programmes’ aimed at acute, ambulance, mental health and specialist NHS trusts and foundation trusts.19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/health/financialmanagement/Pages/nhsqualityaccounts1011.aspxThe Commission has published a briefing summarising the findings from its appointed auditors' reviews of quality accounts at 91 NHS acute and mental health trusts.05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/localgov/Pages/WorkinProgress.aspxThe Audit Commission and Local Government Association joint report 'Work in progress: Meeting local needs with lower workforce costs'.07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/localgov/Pages/joininguphealthandsocialcare.aspxOur latest briefing has found significant differences in the types of care received by people aged 65 and over across the country. 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/localgov/Pages/toughtimes.aspxThe Audit Commission has published Tough times, a new report looking at councils’ responses to a challenging financial climate.17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/health/pbr/pbr2011/Pages/pbr2011.aspxThe Commission has published 'Improving coding, costing and commissioning: Annual report on the Payment by Results (PbR) data assurance programme 2010/11.22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/communitysafety/domesticabuseservices/Pages/Default.aspxThe Commission has launched a web tool and resources to help those working in domestic abuse services assess their partnership's performance and identify areas for improvement.01 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/health/financialmanagement/Pages/20110811nhsfinancialyear1011.aspxThe recently launched 'NHS Financial Year 2010/11: A summary of auditors' work' provides a view of the overall financial performance of the NHS in 2010/11 11 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/localgov/Pages/vfmadultsocialcare.aspxThis briefing looks at value for money in adult social care, and considers what councils might do to provide better, more efficient services. 02 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/localgov/Pages/20110526goingthedistance.aspxThis national report looks at what councils can do to get more for their money in road maintenance, in the face of increasing traffic, severe winters, higher costs, and dwindling highways funding. 26 May 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/health/financialmanagement/moreforless200910/Pages/default.aspxThe latest More for Less analytic update looks at tariff income. It confirms the level of growth identified in More for Less 2009/10 wasn't the result of a disproportionate rise in activity or costs. 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/health/financialmanagement/lowclinicalvalue/Pages/Default.aspxThis health briefing suggests that the NHS could save up to £500 million a year by carrying out fewer ineffective or inefficient treatments.14 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/health/other/Pages/20110310producingqualityreports.aspxThis briefing summarises the findings from the Audit Commission's Audit Practice reviews of quality reports at 52 (out of 115) foundation trusts in summer 2010.10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/health/financialmanagement/Pages/20110210managingsickness.aspxThis briefing examines the local variation and cost of sickness absence to primary care trusts, NHS trusts and foundation trusts. It sets out where organisations can find more help and advice in cutting sickness absence rates.10 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/health/financialmanagement/Pages/20110202payinggpstoimprovequality.aspxThis briefing examines how well primary care trusts oversee the Quality and Outcomes Framework, which incentivises GPs to improve their services to patients.03 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/health/mentalhealth/Pages/20110208efficiencyinmentalhealthservices.aspxA guide to support local mental health communities gain a better understanding of their local acute care pathway for adult mental health.03 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/localgov/personalbudgets/Pages/default.aspxWe examine personal budgets - an allocation of money given to a person to spend on an adult social care support plan - and consider the financial management and governance implications for councils.28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/localgov/protectingpublicpurse/Pages/default.aspxWe describe developments in the field of fraud prevention since 2009, report the findings from our recent fraud survey, and identify more fraud risks.27 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/health/financialmanagement/Pages/aleuor200910.aspxOur annual assessment of how NHS trusts and primary care trusts manage their resources and deliver value for money reveals that, for the fifth year in a row, the great majority are doing well.14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/firerescue/firebcm/Pages/default.aspxMany fire and rescue services have good business continuity management plans, and those that have faced disruption before have used the experience to refine their plans further, our new study finds.15 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT