This week, EHI Primary Care reports on government plans to publish more data about public services. Primary care is to be the focus of much of the work in the NHS, with comparative clinical outcome data by GP practice and prescribing data by GP practice to be published before the end of the year.

The outcome data is to be based on a London scheme that has the backing of GPs. Londoners will be able to go online and compare cancer survival rates and reported versus expected prevalence of conditions. It will be interesting to see if and how patients use this data, which is likely to attract attention from clinical commissioning groups looking to reduce variations in care.

There is still much uncertainty about the progress of the NHS reforms overall. We have a series of reports from last week's NHS Confederation annual conference, where a largely demoralised managerial workforce still waiting for clarity on the shape of the new health service and concerned that the most recent changes made by the government will simply add more layers of bureaucracy.

If you know someone who has been labouring through the reforms to produce great work in NHS IT, please nominate them as your Healthcare IT Champion of the Year in the EHI Awards 2011 in association with BT. Nominations close on 22 July so there are just ten days to tell us about your unsung IT heroes.

GP outcomes data to be published

Comparative clinical outcome data by GP practice and prescribing data by GP practice are to be published by December this year.

Info drives choice in white paper

The government has given a new emphasis to a Cabinet Office body set up to drive the digitisation of public services in its public services white paper.

Hunt predicts Bill changes in Lords

Former health minister Lord Hunt has warned that the Health and Social Care Bill could still face further changes in the Lords.

Lincolnshire rolls out digital pens

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust has successfully piloted a fully integrated digital pen system.

Framework for medics in e-health

A competency framework for practising clinicians involved in e-health has been launched by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.

Telehealth not just about money

A report on telehealth activity in the UK says focussing on perceived economic benefits alone will not be enough to encourage wide-spread implementation of telehealth services.

Registration open for EHI Live 2011

Registration is now open for the EHI Live 2011 conference and exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham in November.

Study finds texts help smokers quit

A London-based study has found smoking cessation text messaging services double smokers' likelihood of quitting.

"If you look at the objections to the SCR they are largely related to lack of any clarity about the scope and purpose."

"The new commitments represent a quantum leap in government transparency and will radically help to drive better public services."

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude on government plans to publish more data including outcome information from general practice.