Published every year, the NHS Operating Framework sets out the national priorities for the year ahead. The theme of this year's operating framework was very much about achieving high quality care within a tough financial environment.
Written by the DH's chief executive, the document is a recap of where all the policy parts fit together to form the ‘vision' and key announcements are also sometimes made within it. In the 2010/11 operating framework for example, two major changes to the Payment by Results tariff were announced - marginal tariffs to try and cap hospital activity and a new maximum price tariff meaning providers can negotiate a local price rather than be stuck with a national tariff.
