Rapid organisational change potentially affects new practitioners' time for reflection and learning, reducing their chances for the repetition, experience and trial and error process so crucial to their clinical reasoning, as well as limiting their access to more experienced peers (Barnitt and Salmond 2000). Recent policies, phased in since 2003 as part of governmental Agenda for Change initiatives, have the potential to improve junior allied health practitioners' lot in the above areas (DH 2005). Alongside fundamental changes to NHS workers' pay and terms and conditions of employment, Agenda for Change establishes a formal system of preceptorship support for newly qualified NHS practitioners (Harbottle 2006). This term refers to a specific teaching and learning approach that enables newly qualified individuals (preceptees) to experience day-today practice with senior colleagues as role models and resources (preceptors) (Chickerella and Lutz 1981, cited in Allen and Simpson 2000). Such a programme requires preceptors and preceptees to engage in several sessions of observed practice and joint reflection. Preceptorship links directly to the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (DH 2004), having an impact on newly qualified practitioners' early pay progression. The NHS Terms and Conditions Handbook (DH 2005) states: Staff joining Band 5 as new entrants will have accelerated progression through the first two points (of the salary scale) in six monthly steps, providing those responsible for the relevant standards are satisfied with their standard of practice (Pay Section 2, Para. 1.8).

Reference: Morley M (2009) Contextual factors that have an impact on the transitional experience of newly qualified occupational therapists. ■ New practitioners experience high levels of autonomy within an interprofessional context. ■ Strategies that ease transitional challenges include co-working, role modelling and informal support.■ Preceptorship offers a formalised approach to promote professional identity and learning.What the study has added The study provides new knowledge relating to the working conditions of new practitioners. Adaptation to practice may be supported by a preceptorship programme, underpinned by theories of situated learning and communities of practice. ReferencesAdamson BJ, Hunt AE, Harris LM, Hummel J (1998) Occupational therapists' perceptions of their undergraduate preparation for the workplace.

Payment by Results (PbR) is a funding mechanism used to pay for National Health Service (NHS) acute hospital services in England (Department of Health 2009). It reimburses for services on the basis of Healthcare Resource Groups. These groups are either condition-related categories (that imply the services to be provided) or categories of procedures, interventions or treatments. Until recently, this system of reimbursement has not been applied to mental health. Traditionally, hospitals providing mental health services were allocated funding of fixed sums, or block cost contracts. However, the financial reforms to deliver the NHS Plan (Department of Health 2002, 2010a) call for major changes to the way in which money flows within the NHS; according to current plans, it will begin to be based on PbR. In England, currencies (formulae for reimbursement) for mental health care are being introduced, with an expectation that, by 2011-2012, all health economies should be using the currencies in some form, and be establishing local prices (Department of Health 2008, 2010a). This will determine what services are commissioned and how funds will flow for service provision in mental health. As recently as July 2010, the coalition government reconfirmed the centrality of PbR as a system for paying providers of health care services (Department of Health 2010b).