New Documents Bulletin

ABOUT THIS BLOG

2009-10-28T13:41:00.000Z

This bulletin highlights recently produced documents that have appeared on websites. The aim is to trawl the web and produce a fortnightly review of what is found (coverage may not be comprehensive). If you have any comments or suggestions regarding this Bulletin, please send an email to library.pct@sthk.nhs.uk. All links are correct at time of publishing. Some documents are large and may take time to open so please be patient when waiting for links to open. If a link is incorrect please email me and I will correct the link and send you the document.

For those that are receiving this through an email or through a third party you can view the original Bulletin at http://www.newdocumentsbulletin.blogspot.com/ and also sign up to receive the Bulletin by RSS.

ALCOHOL

2009-10-28T13:40:00.000Z

Supermarket Scandal: Super-cheap Alcohol sales in the North West (22nd October 2009)
The findings of a mystery shopper survey, conducted by Our Life, show that cheap supermarket alcohol deals are contributing to the increase in alcohol related harm in the North West.
Press Release
Report

BULLETINS/NEWSLETTERS

2009-10-28T13:39:00.000Z

FSA News No. 91 October 2009 (14th October 2009)

Health Protection Report Vol. 3 No. 41 (16th October 2009)

Health Protection Report Vol. 3 No. 42 (23rd October 2009)

RCGP News - October 2009 (October 2009)

CNO Bulletin, Issue 82, October 2009 (27th October 2009)

GP and Practice Team Bulletin, Issue 88, October 2009 (15th October 2009)

Medical directors' bulletin, Issue 97, October 2009 (22nd October 2009)

CARE/CARERS

2009-10-28T13:38:00.001Z

Report of the Standing Commission on Carers 2007 to 2009 (20th October 2009)
The Standing Commission on Carers has published its first annual report, Carers at the heart of 21st century families and communities – work in progress. The report concludes the first stage of the Commission’s work (2007 to 2009) and highlights progress made against the main themes of the national Carers Strategy. It sets out future challenges and opportunities, and contains a number of recommendations and suggestions for the Government, delivery partners and the next phase of the Commission.
Report

Training care home staff to use Talking Mats with people who have dementia (27th October 2009)
It can be difficult for carers and people with dementia to communicate. In recognition of this, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) funded the development and delivery of a project in 2008/2009 that would train care home staff across the UK to use Talking Mats. This system, complete with a textured mat and visual symbols, helps people with communications difficulties to interact.

This paper highlights key findings from the project, including:

Confident staff who had management support were more likely to do well in training and implement new practice
Training of this kind is more effective when delivered to a group of staff in one care home
Talking Mats can benefit people at all stages of dementia, but it is still especially difficult to interact with residents in the later stages of the disease

Summary

Charging for residential care: the property disregard and partners under 60 (27th October 2009)
Letter seeking views on the proposal to amend the 1992 regulations to reflect the longstanding policy and practice of disregarding property where a partner aged under 60 continues to reside in the family home.
Letter and draft regulations

CARE QUALITY COMMISSION

2009-10-28T13:37:00.000Z

Guidance on qualified first aiders (26th October 2009)
The national minimum standards require first aiders to be available at all times in care homes. But instead the Care Quality Commission allow care homes to be flexible by tailoring the aid to the needs of the people who use the service. A risk assessment which includes:

the needs of people who use your service
how likely, it is that first aid will be needed
what kind of first aid will be required

should be carried out. If a risk assessment is not performed, then first aid must be provided at all times from staff with suitable first aid qualifications.
Guidance

NHS Performance ratings 2008/09 (15th October 2009)
The Care Quality Commission have published the performance ratings, also known as the 'annual health check' for all 392 NHS trusts in England.

Although there have been big improvements for patients, there are concerns that 20 trusts have rated weak on quality and some trusts have rated fair over a number of years without improving.
Press Release
Ratings

Managing patients' medicines after discharge from hospital (27th October 2009)
The Care Quality Commission has published findings from its visits to 12 Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and the survey results of 280 GP practices on how well patients' medication is managed after leaving hospital.

Although there is some evidence of good practice, the following concerns were raised:

Information shared about patients moving between GPs and hospitals is often patchy, incomplete and not shared quickly enough
GP patient records are not always updated by clinical staff
Too few patients are offered discussions with their GP about managing their medication
GPs are not consistently reporting medication incidents and errors, and PCTs are not always monitoring them

Press Release
Report, self-assessment tool and study reports

CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE

2009-10-28T13:36:00.001Z

Fabricated or Induced Illness by Carers (FII): A Practical Guide for Paediatricians (October 2009)
This 2nd edition of the 2002 document has been written by a group of experienced doctors from adult and child psychiatry, the Department of Health and lay representatives. The document has been produced by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health for paediatricians, however it will useful to health professional from many backgrounds.
Document

Associations between childhood bereavement and children's background, experiences and outcomes (26th October 2009)
This report, from the National Children's Bureau (NCB), conducted on behalf of the Childhood Bereavement Network (CBN) has found that children bereaved of a parent, sibling or close friend are more likely than other children to have experienced a range of difficult events in their lives.
Press Release
Full Report
Summary

Healthy Child Programme: the two year review (27th October 2009)
The two year review aims to optimise child development and emotional wellbeing, and to reduce inequalities.. It provides practitioners, particularly health visitors, with information and tools to use with parents.
Review

Healthy Child Programme: pregnancy and the first five years of life (27th October 2009)
The Healthy Child Programme for the early life stages focuses on a universal preventative service, providing families with a programme of screening, immunisation, health and development reviews, supplemented by advice around health, wellbeing and parenting.

This document supersedes the Updated Child Health Promotion Programme which was published March 2008.
Guidance

Healthy Child Programme from 5 to 19 years old (27th October 2009)
The Healthy Child Programme (HCP) from 5 to 19 year olds sets out the recommended framework of universal and progressive services for children and young people to promote optimal health and wellbeing. It outlines suggested roles and responsibilities for commissioners, health, education, local authority and other partners to encourage the development of high-quality services. As the Operating framework for the NHS in England 2009/10 sets out, PCTs will want to review the transparency of their service offer in line with Healthy lives, brighter futures and local priorities, and this may include the HCP.
Guidance

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

2009-10-28T13:35:00.001Z

Children's trusts: A briefing paper on improving financial management (23rd October 2009)
Jointly produced by the Audit Commission and CIPFA, 'Children's trusts' provides practical guidance on improving financial management in children's trusts. The document supports the Audit Commissions national report 'Are we there yet?', presenting the findings of research into the progress local councils and their partners are making in developing children's trusts.
Paper

COMMISSIONING

2009-10-28T13:34:00.000Z

World class commissioning - an introduction (15th October 2009)
World class commissioning is about delivering better health and wellbeing for the population, improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities. In partnership with local government, practice based commissioners and others, Primary Care Trusts (PCTs),supported by Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs), will lead the NHS in turning the world class commissioning vision into a reality, adding life to years and years to life.

This guide provides a brief introduction to world class commissioning.
Guide

World class commissioning: October update (14th October 2009)
Monthly progress report on the world class commissioning programme.
Update

British Dental Association's Independent Local Commissioning Working Group Report (13th October 2009)
This report, commissioned by the British Dental Association (BDA) in response to the varied experience throughout the country, looked at planning priorities, current use of creative commissioning and future commissioning plans.
Report

COMMUNITIES

2009-10-28T13:33:00.000Z

Communities for Health: unlocking the energy within communities to improve health (21st October 2009)
The Communities for Health Programme exemplifies the increasing role local government plays in supporting health improvement and reducing health inequalities. This second report includes community activities in over 80 local authorities aimed at encouraging behaviour change and strengthening local partnership to tackle a wide range of key health priorities.
Document

Building Cohesive Communities: What frontline staff and community activists need to know (14th October 2009)
This is a short practical guide for busy activists and frontline staff working on community cohesion. The guide is based on current research and practical experience of the authors. Topics included are:

Promoting interaction between people and groups
Developing effective community leadership
Tackling local attitudes, perception and myths
Developing the role of young people

Guide

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

2009-10-28T13:32:00.001Z

The Health Professions (Hearing Aid Dispensers) Order 2009: consultation report, September 2009 (22nd October 2009)
The Health Professions (Hearing Aid Dispensers) Order 2009 was published in draft for consultation between 7 April and 7 July 2009. To view a copy of the final version of the draft order following the consultation process, which has now been laid before Parliament but is subject to debate in both Houses, please visit www.opsi.gov.uk. These documents provide information on the outcome of that consultation.
Consultation Responses

CONSULTATIONS

2009-10-28T13:31:00.000Z

Direct payment for health care: a consultation on proposals for regulations and guidance (23rd October 2009)
This consultation seeks views on the Government's proposals for piloting direct payments for health care. This is part of the wider pilot programme to explore personal health budgets announced in High Quality Care For All.

Closing date for comments is 8th January 2010.
Consultation

General Pharmaceutical Council (Constitution) Order 2009: a paper for consultation (27th October 2009)
The draft General Pharmaceutical Council (Constitution) Order sets out the proposed constitution of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), the new regulator for pharmacy professionals and pharmacy premises in England, Wales and Scotland. The GPhC will be established on the making of the Pharmacy Order 2009 by the Privy Council.

Closing date for comments is 25th November 2009.
Consultation

DENTAL

2009-10-28T13:30:00.000Z

The Oral Health Atlas (September 2009)
This book, available online, was released by the FDI World Dental Federation to mark the annual World Oral Health Day which took place on 12th September 2009. It illustrates oral health globally,highlights oral health as a neglected area of health for individuals and health systems and suggests realistic individual and population-wide solutions.
Book

DIET/NUTRITION

2009-10-28T13:29:00.000Z

Healthier Food Mark: Promoting healthier, more sustainable food - draft criteria to be tested during Phase 1 of the pre-consultation pilot (14th October 2009)
This scheme concerns the establishment of a voluntary Healthier Food Mark in the public sector so that public sector food reaches a standard to make a positive contribution to a nutritionally balanced diet and improves the sustainability of public sector food procurement

The first draft of the criteria was presented to stakeholders at the event on 30 April 2009. Further to feedback from that event and more detailed discussions with the food industry, public sector organisations and other stakeholders, a revised proposed and potential list of criteria has been developed for testing during Phase 1 of the pre-consultation pilot.
Document

Snack Right. Using social marketing to achieve healthier food choices in the under fives (27th October 2009)
In response to social marketing references in the White Paper Choosing Health: Making healthy choices easier, Cheshire and Merseyside's directors of public health established a social marketing group with the objectives of:

Testing social marketing by delivering a project around food that addressed growing concerns about obesity;
Developing capacity and capability in social marketing in Cheshire and Merseyside

This report looks at the project of Snack Right that arose from this.
Final Report

DRUGS

2009-10-28T13:28:00.000Z

Shooting Up: Infections among injecting drug users in the United Kingdom 2008. An update: 2009 (23rd October 2009)
This report presents available data on the extent and trends over time of infections among injecting drug users (IDUs) in the UK up to the end of 2008. It includes data on the more severe bacterial infections affecting IDUs, on available markers of HIV and viral hepatitis prevalence and incidence, and on associated risk and protective behaviours.
Report

ELDERLY/OLDER PEOPLE

2009-10-28T13:27:00.001Z

Creating a stronger information, advice and advocacy system for older people (19th October 2009)
The adult social care system needs to ensure older people get the information, advice and advocacy services they need to remain independent.

This Solutions paper highlights recent work in Newcastle by the Quality of Life Partnership that's developed ways of working with existing systems to make them more 'older person friendly', efficient, and effective for all concerned. Lessons learnt include:

Invest in processes so that older people have a variety of ways of sharing their views and experiences.
Persuade local partners that information and advice is not an add-on to the day job. It is the day job.
Understand that partnership working is much more difficult, complex and time-consuming than working in isolation.
Realise that some issues may need to be addressed across all age groups.

Summary

Ageing and Well-being in an International Context (16th October 2009)
This report opens up the policy debates surrounding population ageing beyond the traditional realm of healthcare and pensions. It explores how the well-being of older people can be incorporated into four other areas: relationships, work, learning and the built environment. These were all identified in the first phase of the Institute for Public Policy Research's (ippr’s) Politics of Ageing project as important drivers of well-being.

This paper provides examples of policies and programmes that have been successful in other countries. The aim is that these case studies will inspire new responses to ageing in the UK.
Report

Policies for Peace of Mind? Devolution and older age in the UK (12th October 2009)
This paper considers the changing landscape of policy and practice for older people since 2000 and how this varies across the four countries of the United Kingdom. The authors reflect on UK Government reforms over this period as well as the early choices made by the devolved administrations, which have varying powers.
Report

EMERGENCY CARE

2009-10-28T13:26:00.000Z

Emergency Services Review (21st October 2009)
The Emergency Services Review was commissioned by the strategic health authorities and has completed its work to undertake a review of recent performance and support the identification and adoption of best practice. The Emergency Care Intensive Support Team, established by the review, is now supporting the implementation of this guidance, hosting events and supporting organisations to deliver the outcomes outlined in the documents. The aim of this work has been to ensure that local health economies continue to provide resilient, sustainable and integrated emergency and urgent care arrangements. The ESR Team have issued a series of supporting best practice documentation, guides and toolkits.
Documents

EQUALITY

2009-10-28T13:25:00.000Z

Age Equality in Health and Social Care (22nd October 2009)
In April 2009, the then Secretary of State for Health asked Sir Ian Carruthers OBE, Chief Executive of NHS South West, and Jan Ormondroyd, Chief Executive of Bristol City Council, to undertake a review of age discrimination and age equality in the health and social care sector.

This is the report of that review. The Government intends to publish and consult on its response to the review’s recommendations in December of this year. This will take place in parallel with consultation on a resource pack designed to support implementation.
Report

Trans research review. Research Report 27 (21st October 2009)
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has today launched a new review of evidence that captures the experiences and challenges facing transgender people in Britain.

The Trans Research Review highlights that some transgender people experience transphobia including bullying and discriminatory treatment in schools, harassment and physical/sexual assault and rejection from families, work colleagues and friends.
Report

Equality impact assessment: summary tool and guidance for policy makers (published 18th November 2008 updated 27th October 2009)
Equality impact assessment (EqIA) is the process by which the DH seeks to meet its legal requirements in conjunction with the DH Single Equality Scheme (SES) and to narrow the health inequalities that exist in England between people from different ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, men and women (including transgendered people), people with different sexual orientations, people in different age groups, people with different religions or beliefs and people from differing social and economic groups.
Summary tool

GUIDANCE/GUIDELINES

2009-10-28T13:24:00.001Z

Getting it right for children and families (14th October 2009)
This guide is for health visitors and their teams, provider managers, commissioners and educationalists. It sets out the contribution that health visitors and teams can make to health and wellbeing and public health.
Guidance

A Resource for Developing Sexual Assault Referral Centres (27th October 2009)
Published jointly by the Department of Health, Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers this guide replaces the National Services Guidelines for Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) and Getting Started.

It highlights the minimum elements essential for providing high-quality SARCs for victims of sexual violence and sexual abuse, including forensic medical examination
Guidance

LEARNING DISABILITIES

2009-10-28T13:23:00.000Z

Good Learning Disability Partnership Boards: Making it happen for everyone (21st October 2009)
In Valuing People Now (2009) the Department of Health undertook to publish a range of guidance for Learning Disability Partnership Boards to assist them in delivering on the goals set out in the strategy. The good practice guidance, ‘Good Learning Disability Partnership Boards: ‘Making it happen for everyone’ was launched at the NCAS (National Children and Adult Services) conference on 21 October.

This guide gives best practice examples from around the country and is based on the evidence that the most effective Partnership Boards are those:

with strong links to other local boards and work programmes;
where there is delegated or shared financial and commissioning responsibility; and
where there is meaningful representation of people with learning disabilities and family carers from all local communities

Guidance

LOCAL AUTHORITY/GOVERNMENT

2009-10-28T13:22:00.000Z

A summary of changes to direct payments (19th October 2009)
From 9 November 2009 there will be important changes to the Direct Payments scheme. New regulations will extend the scheme to people who lack the capacity to consent, and to people with mental health problems who are subject to mental health and certain criminal justice legislation. Guidance for councils on direct payments has been updated to reflect these changes. This leaflet sets out these changes and explains where you can find more information.
Leaflet

Use of resources in adult social care: a guide for local authorities (15th October 2009)
This guide is to stimulate discussion and debate for local authorities on how to commission and shape services for tomorrow by making best use of resources. We encourage every local authority to learn from each other about how to take this innovation forward and spread best practice around the country.
Guide

MATERNITY/MIDWIFERY

2009-10-28T13:21:00.000Z

Vitamin supplementation in pregnancy (SAC Opinion Paper 16) (19th October 2009)
The scope of this paper, from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, is to examine the evidence for supplementation with vitamins in pregnancy within the UK; it will not elaborate on their use in low- and middle-income countries in which other health benefits might occur.
Paper

Location, Location, Location. Making choice of place of birth a reality (26th October 2009)
Offering women choice of where to give birth is government policy across the UK as it is proven to have a positive effect on birth outcome. However this report, published by the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), has found that over 95% of women in the UK are not able to choose where to give birth.
Press Release
Final Report and related documents

MENTAL HEALTH

2009-10-28T13:20:00.000Z

Absent without leave: definitions of escape and abscond (21st October 2009)
Definitions of escape, attempted escape, abscond and failure to return in secure mental health services.
Guidance

NHS

2009-10-28T13:19:00.001Z

The Government's response to the Health Select Committee's report on the use of management consultants in the NHS and the Department of Health (22nd October 2009)
This Command Paper sets out the Government's response to the House of Commons Health Select Committee's report on the use of management consultants by the NHS and the Department of Health.
Response

Protecting the NHS in relation to patient mobility and cross-border healthcare: Draft regulations and guidance (21st October 2009)
Case law from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on patient mobility under Article 49 of the EU Treaty means that patients are able to seek any healthcare (including private care) in another European Economic Area (EEA) Member State, and, as long as they are entitled to the treatment in question under their home healthcare system, they are eligible to have their costs reimbursed. For patients travelling from the UK, this reimbursement can be up to the level of the cost for the same treatment provided in the UK under the NHS. Any additional costs must be met by the individual.

Patients from EEA countries can likewise pay to receive NHS treatment and claim reimbursement from their home health system.
Draft Guidance and Regulations

Survey on 48 hour week Working Time Directive readiness (19th October 2009)
The objective in conducting this survey was to review the readiness of NHS trusts for the introduction of the European Working Time Directive 48 hour working week in August 2009. This document was commissioned by DH in November 2008 and represented data collected in January 2009.
Report

NHS as the preferred provider (13th October 2009)
The Secretary of State’s recent speech at the King’s Fund focused on putting quality at the core of the NHS. He assured ‘the NHS is our preferred provider’. This letter shares with NHS Chief Executives how the Department of Health propose to move this policy forward through the development of future guidance.
Letter

Delivering Same-Sex Accommodation (DSSA): principles (28th October 2009)
Seventeen principles have been developed to ensure each organisation delivers the highest standards of privacy and dignity within all areas of a hospital, other trusts and providers. The principles support existing DSSA policy and guidance and aim to further clarify DSSA clinical definitions amongst leaders and staff within the NHS. It is intended for the principles to be used in conjunction with other guidance to drive forward improvement and ensure sustainability within each organisation.
Guidance

NICE

2009-10-28T13:18:00.001Z

New database to inform prioritisation of European cancer research (20th October 2009)
A 'Database of Cancer Uncertainties' (DoCU) went live on the NICE website today. The database will collate details of the major gaps in evidence which are identified during guidance development. These evidence gaps can then be promoted as research priorities to prospective research funders.

The database has been developed as a pilot project by NICE, as part of the CoCanCPG (Coordination of Cancer Clinical Practice Guidelines in Europe). CoCanCPG is a consortium of 16 institutional partners from 11 countries.
Database

What do you think about the NICE website? (27th October 2009)
As part of their continuing programme of evaluation and development, NICE are currently consulting with health service and local government professionals, patients, carers and the public to find out what they think of the NICE website.

The survey is available online until 15th November 2009.
Survey

Neuropathic pain - pharmacological management: guideline consultation (14th October 2009)
A clinical practice guideline on Neuropathic pain is being developed for use in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Registered stakeholders for this guideline are invited to comment on the provisional recommendations via this website.

Closing date for comments is 11th November 2009
Consultation

Prevention of cardiovascular disease: additional evidence consultation (14th October 2009)
NICE was asked by the Department of Health (DH) to develop public health programme guidance on preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in different populations.

All registered stakeholders are now invited to comment on the economic analysis and additional evidence that has been assembled to inform the development of this guidance. This will be used by the Programme Development Group (PDG) to develop recommendations.

Closing date for comments is 16th November 2009.
Consultation

Prevention of cardiovascular disease: consultation on the draft guidance (15th October 2009)
NICE are consulting on the draft guidance ‘prevention of cardiovascular disease at the population level’. In particular, they are interested in the views of stakeholders on recommendations 3, 4 and 5 (on salt, saturated fats and trans fats). They are interested in views on:

Whether a figure for a lower target for salt intake could or should be identified at this stage
Whether an even lower saturated fat intake is achievable
The potential impact of a ban on industrial trans fats on cardiovascular disease in general and particularly the potential effects on existing inequalities in health.

NICE also welcome comments about other recommendations and sections of the guidance. Closing date for comments is 16th November 2009.
Consultation

Rheumatoid arthritis - certolizumab pegol: appraisal consultation (20th October 2009)
This appraisal consultation on Rheumatoid arthritis - certolizumab pegol, is open for comments until 10th November 2009. All registered stakeholders are invited to comment.
Consultation

Breast cancer (advanced or metastatic) - lapatinib: appraisal consultation document (21st October 2009)
The Department of Health and the Welsh Assembly Government have asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to produce guidance on using lapatinib for the treatment of women with previously treated advanced or metastatic breast cancer in the NHS in England and Wales. The Appraisal Committee has considered the evidence submitted by the manufacturer and the views of non-manufacturer consultees and commentators, and clinical specialists and patient experts.

Closing date for comments is 11th November 2009.
Consultation

Cytoreduction surgery followed by hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis (interventional procedures consultation) (21st October 2009)
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is examining cytoreduction surgery followed by hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis and will publish guidance on its safety and efficacy to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NICE’s Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered the available evidence and the views of Specialist Advisers, who are consultants with knowledge of the procedure. The Advisory Committee has made provisional recommendations about cytoreduction surgery followed by hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Closing date for comments is 18th November 2009.
Consultation

Therapeutic endoscopic division of epidural adhesions (interventional procedures consultation) (21st October 2009)
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is examining therapeutic endoscopic division of epidural adhesions and will publish guidance on its safety and efficacy to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NICE’s Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered the available evidence and the views of Specialist Advisers, who are consultants with knowledge of the procedure. The Advisory Committee has made provisional recommendations about therapeutic endoscopic division of epidural adhesions.

Closing date for comments is 18th November 2009.
Consultation

Surgical correction of hallux valgus using minimal access techniques (interventional procedures consultation) (21st October 2009)
Hallux valgus is a deformity of the big toe. The big toe tilts outwards, crowding the smaller toes, and a bony lump (called a bunion) appears on the inside of the foot.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is examining surgical correction of hallux valgus using minimal access techniques and will publish guidance on its safety and efficacy to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NICE’s Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered the available evidence and the views of Specialist Advisers, who are consultants with knowledge of the procedure. The Advisory Committee has made provisional recommendations about surgical correction of hallux valgus using minimal access techniques.

Closing date for comments is 18th November 2009.
Consultation

Selective internal radiation therapy for colorectal metastases in the liver (interventional procedures consultation) (21st October 2009)
Colorectal liver metastasis is cancer that has spread to the liver from the bowel. Selective internal radiation therapy (known as SIRT) uses radiation put into the patient’s liver to kill the cancer cells. Tiny radioactive ‘beads’ are injected into the artery that supplies blood to the liver (the hepatic artery). The beads become trapped (embolise) in the tiny blood vessels surrounding the cancer, releasing radiation directly onto it. The treatment may be repeated.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is examining selective internal radiation therapy for colorectal metastases in the liver and will publish guidance on its safety and efficacy to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NICE’s Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered the available evidence and the views of Specialist Advisers, who are consultants with knowledge of the procedure. The Advisory Committee has made provisional recommendations about selective internal radiation therapy for colorectal metastases in the liver.

Closing date for comments is 18th November 2009.
Consultation

Prosthetic intervertebral disc replacement in the cervical spine (interventional procedures consultation)(21st October 2009)
Bulging of a disc (called herniation) in the neck occurs when one or more of the spinal discs between the bones in the neck bursts and pushes against the spinal cord or nerve roots that run through the backbone. This herniation can cause pain in the neck, or pain, weakness and numbness in the arms and legs.

This procedure involves replacing damaged discs in the neck with artificial ones designed to act like natural neck discs.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is examining prosthetic intervertebral disc replacement in the cervical spine and will publish guidance on its safety and efficacy to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NICE’s Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered the available evidence and the views of Specialist Advisers, who are consultants with knowledge of the procedure. The Advisory Committee has made provisional recommendations about prosthetic intervertebral disc replacement in the cervical spine.

Closing date for comments is 18th November 2009.
Consultation

Venous thromboembolism - reducing the risk: pre-publication check (22nd October 2009)
Following two consultation periods on the provisional recommendations, the National Clinical Guidelines Centre for Acute and Chronic Conditions (NCGC) and the Guideline Development Group (GDG) for Venous thromboembolism – reducing the risk, have considered and responded to stakeholder comments and amended the draft guideline.

The revised full guideline is now available on the web for a pre-publication check of factual errors. This is still draft guidance and has not been sent out to the NHS. The pre-publication check is not an additional consultation or an opportunity to reopen arguments and issues highlighted during consultation on the draft guidelines. The GDG will already have considered these issues in forming the recommendations contained in the draft for the pre-publication check.

Registered stakeholders for this guideline are invited to report any factual errors in the guideline by 11th November 2009.
Pre-publication check

Weight management in pregnancy: consultation on the evidence (22nd October 2009)
NICE was asked by the Department of Health (DH) to develop guidance on ‘Dietary interventions and physical activity interventions for weight management in pregnancy’.

All registered stakeholders are now invited to comment on the evidence that has been assembled to inform the development of this guidance. This evidence will be used by the Public Health Interventions Advisory Committee (PHIAC) to develop draft recommendations. The evidence comprises a review of effectiveness an economic analysis.

Closing date for comments is 19th November 2009.
Consultation

Bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia in children: guideline consultation (22nd October 2009)
A clinical practice guideline on Bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia in children is being developed for use in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Registered stakeholders for this guideline are invited to comment on the provisional recommendations.

Closing date for comments is 17th December 2009.
Consultation

Strategies to prevent unintentional injuries among under 15s: consultation on the evidence (26th October 2009)
NICE was asked by the Department of Health (DH) to ‘Prepare public health programme guidance on the prevention of unintentional injury in children under 15’.

All registered stakeholders are now invited to comment on the evidence that has been assembled to inform the development of this guidance. This evidence is used by the Programme Development Group (PDG) to develop draft recommendations.

Closing date for comments is 23rd November 2009.
Consultation

Technology Appraisal TA182. Prasugrel for the treatment of acute coronary syndromes with percutaneous coronary intervention (28th October 2009)
Prasugrel in combination with aspirin is recommended as an option for preventing blockages in the arteries of people with acute coronary syndromes who are having a treatment called percutaneous coronary intervention only when:

immediate percutaneous coronary intervention is necessary to treat an ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (a type of heart attack) or
a blood clot has blocked a stent (a small mesh-like tube inserted into an artery to keep it open) during treatment with a drug called clopidogrel or
the patient has diabetes mellitus.

Guideline

Technology Appraisal TA183. Topotecan for the treatment of recurrent carcinoma of the cervix (28th October 2009)
Topotecan in combination with cisplatin is recommended as a possible treatment for women with recurrent or stage IVB cervical cancer only if they have not received cisplatin before. Healthcare professionals should not stop prescribing topotecan for women who have received cisplatin before and who were already taking topotecan with cisplatin when the guidance was issued. These women should be able to carry on taking topotecan until they and their healthcare professionals decide that it is the right time to stop treatment.
Guideline

Clinical Guideline CG90. Depression: the treatment and management of depression in adults (update) (28th October 2009)
This guideline is published alongside ‘Depression in adults with a chronic physical health problem: treatment and management’ (NICE clinical guideline 91), which makes recommendations on the identification, treatment and management of depression in adults aged 18 years and older who also have a chronic physical health problem.
Guideline

Clinical Guideline CG91. The treatment and management of depression in adults with chronic physical health problems (partial update of CG23)
This guideline is published alongside ‘Depression: the treatment and management of depression in adults (update)’ (NICE clinical guideline 90), which makes recommendations on the identification, treatment and management of depression in adults aged 18 years and older, in primary and secondary care.

This guideline (and CG90) update recommendations made in NICE technology appraisal guidance 97 for the treatment of depression only. The guidance in TA97 remains unchanged for the use of CCBT in the treatment of panic and phobia and obsessive compulsive disorder.
Guideline

NURSING

2009-10-28T13:17:00.000Z

Integrated core career and competence framework for registered nurses (16th October 2009)
The Royal College of Nursing has launched a career and competence framework which brings together the core and specific dimensions of the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) that are relevant to nursing.

Integrated core career and competence framework for registered nurses has been written to help nurses and health care assistants guide their own development. It will also help to capture evidence to support the development of KSF profiles, demonstrate readiness for career progression and support ongoing registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Document

OBESITY

2009-10-28T13:16:00.000Z

Childhood Obesity National Support Team (CONST) (26th October 2009)
The Department of Health now have a new section on their website dedicated to childhood obesity, which as well as giving information on the support team also has useful tools, resources and links.
Website

OVERSEAS PATIENTS

2009-10-28T13:15:00.000Z

Provisional Replacement Certificates (12th October 2009)
Overseas visitors receiving clinically necessary treatment who fail to provide an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), should be asked to obtain a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) from the appropriate liaison body in the competent member state. A PRC provides the same access to free treatment as if it was an EHIC. PRC details should also be recorded and reported for a claim to be made.
Publication

Leaflets on the EHIC, healthcare entitlement for EEA and non-EEA visitors and hospital treatment for non-resident UK citizens (19th October 2009)
These leaflets are part of a suite of information for Overseas Visitor Managers in support of the new arrangements by which NHS Trusts should record and report treatments (including planned treatments) of visitors from the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
Leaflets

PANDEMIC INFLUENZA

2009-10-28T13:14:00.000Z

Local authority social care pandemic flu self-assessment survey (23rd October 2009)
Letter inviting local authorities to participate in a social care self-assessment survey. The self-assessment template is also available for download.
Letter and Template

Swine flu: guidance for planners (22nd October 2009)
The Department of Health and the Cabinet Office have today published new guidance to support pandemic planners based on the latest science and understanding of the swine flu virus. The latest evidence indicates that the pandemic may peak at a lower rate than we originally thought, but does not suggest that their should be any change to our response in terms of ensuring the NHS and social care organisations are as prepared and resilient as possible for the winter months.
Guidance

H1N1 swine flu vaccination programme 2009-2010: repackaging packs of vaccine for onward distribution (21st October 2009)
Letter and protocol from the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer so support repackaging under pharmaceutical supervision.
Letter and Protocol

A (H1N1) swine influenza: social care worker vaccination programme update (15th October 2009)
Information to help Directors of Adult Social Services in vaccination planning.
Information

How to order swine flu vaccine and collect vaccine uptake data (published 8th October 2009 new to website 16th October 2009)
Letter describing the ordering and data collection processes and also a template of contact details for vaccine uptake data.
Letter and template

The H1N1 swine flu vaccination programme 2009-2010 (15th October 2009)
Letter providing information for clinicians to assist them in delivering the swine flu vaccination programme.
Letter

A (H1N1) swine influenza: vaccination programme update (15th October 2009)
A letter from Ian Dalton, National Director of NHS Flu Resilience, to NHS Chief Executives, providing further information on the swine flu vaccination programme.
Letter

Antiviral prophylaxis: guidance on the use of prophylaxis with antiviral medicines during the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic (15th October 2009)
This guidance sets out the circumstances in which it may be appropriate to offer a course of prophylactic antiviral medicine to patients with a serious underlying medical condition or who are pregnant during the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic.
Guidance

Stock Management System training manuals (27th October 2009)
The Stock Management System (SMS) provides the DH and the NHS Users with an effective tool to manage the distribution of antivirals to PCTs and collection points in the event of a pandemic. It will provide stock level information, reports and the ability to record issuance from GP prescribed antiviral information, along with the management of full issuance from the collection point via the NPFS system.

These training manuals are to provide guidance to users of the Stock Management System for antivirals.
Manuals

PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

2009-10-28T13:13:00.000Z

Children, Schools and Families Committee - Appointment of the Children's Commissioner for England - Eighth Report of Session 2008-09 (19th October 2009)
Vol. I
Vol. II

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee - Securing food supplies up to 2050: Government Response to the Committee's Fourth Report of Session 2008-09 - Third Special Report of Session 2008-09 (19th October 2009)

Public Accounts Committee - Supporting people with autism through adulthood - Fiftieth Report of Session 2008-09 (15th October 2009)

Work and Pensions Committee - Workplace health and safety: follow-up report: Government Response to the Committee's Fourth Report of Session 2008-09 - Fifth Special Report of Session 2008-09 (26th October 2009)

Work and Pensions Committee - Tackling Pensioner Poverty: Government Response to the Fifth Report from the Committee, Session 2008-09 - Fourth Special Report of Session 2008-09 (19th October 2009)

PARTNERSHIPS

2009-10-28T13:12:00.000Z

Innovative partnerships: foundation trusts embracing social enterprises (15th October 2009)
This publication, from The NHS Confederation, explains what social enterprises are and why foundation trusts should collaborate with or set up social enterprises.
Publication

PATIENT AND PUBLIC INFORMATION

2009-10-28T13:11:00.000Z

Swine flu vaccination: what you need to know (22nd October 2009)
Information for the public about the swine flu vaccination.
Booklet

PHARMACY

2009-10-28T13:10:00.000Z

Guidance on Patient Record Confidentiality (26th October 2009)
A toolkit to help community pharmacies meet their legal and professional requirements to ensure the confidentiality and security of patient data has been developed collaboratively by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB), the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), the Department of Health and NHS Connecting for Health.
Press Release

PRACTITIONERS

2009-10-28T13:09:00.000Z

Knowing what you do works. Measuring your own effectiveness with families, parents and children: a short guide (27th October 2009)
This short guide is designed to help individual workers and whole services understand the terms and issues within the act of measuring and, better still, how to go about it. It is a practical resource that includes the following topics:

pre and post measuring
reliability and validity
finding the right tools for the job
ethical and practical issues
information technology and measurement tools
helping families to answer the questions
what not to do

Guide

PRIMARY CARE TRUSTS

2009-10-28T13:08:00.000Z

Reviewing patients who have waited longer than 18 weeks (21st October 2009)
As set out in David Flory's Quarter 4 2008-09 report, PCTs need to understand and act upon the reasons for any unnecessary waits over 18 weeks. This guidance suggests methods for reviewing and reporting waits longer than 18 weeks in order to understand the causes of unnecessary waits, and to drive further improvements in patient experience.
Guidance

Creating a performance management framework for a minimal alcohol data set for PCTs in Cheshire and Merseyside (23rd October 2009)
This is a report on a project to develop a performance management framework which can provide a minimal dataset to be collected on a range of alcohol-related issues across the Cheshire and Merseyside sub-region.
Report

PRISONS/PRISON HEALTH

2009-10-28T13:07:00.001Z

High Impact Changes in Offender settings: Interim Report (15th October 2009)
This report summarises the developments so far with the two health training offender health Identification and Brief Advice (IBA) training the trainer pilots which are being run in Eastern Region Prisons and South Central Probation.

The final report is due March 2010.
Report

PUBLIC HEALTH

2009-10-28T13:06:00.000Z

EVENT - What works for worklessness? Sharing good practice from across the public health community (13th October 2009)
The presentations from this event that was held at the Stobart Stadium, Widnes are now available to download.
Programme
Combined Presentations

RISK MANAGEMENT

2009-10-28T13:05:00.000Z

Joint Statement: How compliance with NICE guidance can help you manage risk and optimise your resources (27th October 2009)
This joint statement from the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) and NICE explains how complying with NICE guidance can help organisations manage risk and also optimise their resources. Criterion 5.8 of the NHSLA risk management standards focus on compliance with NICE guidance and the NHSLA have added some new questions and answers to their frequently asked questions (FAQ) to help organisations achieve the requirements.
Joint Statement
FAQ

SEXUAL HEALTH

2009-10-28T13:04:00.000Z

Top Tips for Sexual Health Promotion (26th October 2009)
This guide is the fourth in a series of "Top Tips" documents aimed at promoting public health. The top tips provide a common sense approach to sexual health issues with practical suggestions that will make a positive difference both at home and in the workplace.
Summary

SOCIAL CARE

2009-10-28T13:03:00.000Z

Social Care TV. Better knowledge for better practice (21st October 2009)
Social Care TV is a new online channel for everyone involved in the social care sector, from managers to front-line staff, trainers to people who use care services.

As part of the Social Care Institute for Excellence’s (SCIE) family of resources, Social Care TV brings to life the work and lives of people involved in all aspects of the social care sector, through a series of short films and links to multi-media and e-learning resources. This site offers access to video based training resources and general interest programmes, reflecting the issues, challenges and rewards in current social care practice.
Website

Visualising Putting People First (20th October 2009)
Launched at the annual National Children's and Adult Services conference in Harrogate in October 2009, these three films provide a useful resource that are informative, will introduce, explain and visualise some of the key themes within 'Putting People First'.
Videos

STATISTICS

2009-10-28T13:02:00.000Z

Mortality target monitoring: update to include data for 2008 (14th October 2009)

NHS Maternity Statistics, 2008-09 : Headline tables (27th October 2009)

United Kingdom Health Statistics 2009 update (27th October 2009)

Monthly Digest of Statistics - October 2009 (26th October 2009)

Mental Health Service Performance Indicators - Quarter 4, England 2008-09 (23rd October 2009)

Genito-Urinary Medicine Access Monthly Monitoring - August 2009 (22nd October 2009)

Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly report - Quarterly update to June 2009 (22nd October 2009)

Cervical Screening Programme, England 2008-09 (22nd October 2009)

Annual report on fuel poverty statistics 2009 (21st October 2009)

Interim Life Tables 2006-2008 (21st October 2009)
United Kingdom
Great Britain
England

National Population Projections - 2008 based principal population projection and key variant projections (21st October 2009)

Period and cohort life expectancy tables - 2008 based (21st October 2009)

Life expectancy at birth and at age 65 by local areas in the United Kingdom - 2006-2008 (21st October 2009)

NHS Contraception Services, England: 2008-09 (20th October 2009)

Contraception and Sexual Health 2008-09 (20th October 2009)

18 Weeks Referral to Treatment Statistics (15th October 2009)

Direct Access Audiology Waiting Times - August 2009 (15th October 2009)

Annual Conceptions to Women aged under 18, England and Wales - 2007 (15th October 2009)

Conception Statistics, England Wales - 2007 (15th October 2009)

In-patients formally detained in hospitals under the Mental Health Act, 1983 - and patients subject to Supervised Community Treatment: 1998-99 to 2008-09 (14th October 2009)

Labour Market Statistics - LMS October 2009 (14th October 2009)

Regional Labour Market Statistics - October 2009 (14th October 2009)

GP Extended Opening Hours - September 2009 (13th October 2009)

SUBSTANCE MISUSE

2009-10-28T13:01:00.000Z

Breaking the Cycle. A three year pilot project (October 2009)
The objectives of this project was to work with families in Cumbria, Derby and Tower Hamlets:

to reduce their substance use
improve their parenting skills
help establish boundaries and structures within the home
put children's needs first
encourage adults to improve their economic situation

The overall findings showed that the approach that Breaking the Cycle took contributed to the empowerment, changes and improved the lives of the families who took part.
Summary

WORLD HEALTH

2009-10-28T13:00:00.001Z

Global Health Risks. Mortality and burden of disease attributable to selected major risks (27th October 2009)
Global health risks is a comprehensive assessment of leading risks to global health. It provides detailed global and regional estimates of premature mortality, disability and loss of health attributable to 24 global risk factors.
Press release
Report

ABOUT THIS BLOG

2009-10-14T12:35:00.000+01:00

ALCOHOL

2009-10-14T12:34:00.000+01:00

Understanding young people's alcohol-related social norms in schools in Sefton: final report (9th October 2009)
The social norms campaign was delivered by NHS Sefton in schools in Sefton during June and early July 2009. As part of this intervention a poster campaign was run with the posters being based on some of the findings provided in the interim report. This is the final report of the campaign.
Report

ANNUAL REPORT

2009-10-14T12:33:00.000+01:00

Working together to save lives: the Organ Donation Taskforce Implementation Programme's annual report, 2008/09 (8th October 2009)
The first annual report of the Organ Donation Taskforce Implementation Programme highlights the progress that has been made in the first year of the Implementation Programme, particularly the changes in structures and arrangements in the NHS with the move to a centrally managed, and enlarged, network of Donor Transplant Coordinators and the appointment of Clinical Leads for Organ Donation within hospital trusts.
Report

National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) Annual Report 2008-09 (October 2009)
This is the annual report of the NTA.
Report

BULLETINS/NEWSLETTERS

2009-10-14T12:32:00.000+01:00

CMO Update 49 (7th October 2009)

Environmental Health Quarterly Bulletin: Issue 14, August 2009 (28th September 2009)

Sexual Health Quarterly Bulletin September 2009 edition (28th September 2009)

NWPHO Health E-News September 2009 (29th September 2009)

Health Protection Report Vol. 3 No. 39 (2nd October 2009)

Health Protection Report Vol. 3 No. 40 (9th October 2009)

The month: issue 25, September 2009 (29th September 2009)

CMO Update Archive 2008 (6th October 2009)

CDO Update, October 2009 (1st October 2009)

Children, Families and Maternity e-bulletin, October 2009 Edition 55 (October 2009)

CANCER

2009-10-14T12:31:00.000+01:00

Manual for Cancer Services 2008: Complementary Measures (9th October 2009)
Following a three month consultation period, this is the final version of the complementary measures for inclusion in the Manual for Cancer Services. The measures can also be found on the CQUINS website.
Guidance

CARE QUALITY COMMISSION

2009-10-14T12:30:00.001+01:00

Better monitoring of out-of hours GP services (2nd October 2009)
The NHS may fail to spot concerns about patient safety unless it improves its monitoring of out-of-hours GP services. These are the early observations from the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) enquiry into out-of-hours provider Take Care Now.

Cynthia Bower, CQC's chief executive, says:

"Although we are still in the early stages of our enquiries, we believe this may point towards a national problem. We are therefore encouraging PCTs across the country to scrutinize in more detail the out-of-hours services they commission.
Information

Out of hours (OOH) primary care services: PCTs' contract and performance management arrangements - letter from National Director for Primary Care in relation to the above

Guidance: Sharing Information gained during regulatory activity (13th October 2009)
This guidance, from the Care Quality Commission, explains how they share information about service providers with commissioners of care e.g. councils and primary care trusts.
Guidance

CARE/CARERS

2009-10-14T12:29:00.001+01:00

Primary Care Trusts and The Carers Strategy (12th October 2009)
New research, carried out by two of the UK’s leading carers’ charities The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care, has uncovered approximately £40m of the £50m allocated by the government for carers support is failing to reach carers.

80% of new monies given by government to Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in 2009/10 have not been used to increase support for carers as was intended.
Survey and Report

CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE

2009-10-14T12:29:00.000+01:00

Partner exploitation and violence in teenage intimate relationships (September 2009)
This is the first study in Great Britain to provide a detailed picture of the incidence and impact of teenage partner violence.
Research from the US has highlighted the high level of violence in young people’s intimate relationships. However, how these findings apply to the UK context has been unknown.

This research, funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, sought to bridge this gap in understanding.
Executive Summary

COMMISSIONING

2009-10-14T12:28:00.001+01:00

The Opportunity Locator version 2
This data tool, from the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, supports the commissioning priorities of local health communities. The purpose of it is to stimulate ideas on where commissioners should focus their attention in re-designing and shifting services away from the traditional setting of the hospital and out towards community based care.
Tool

Improving quality in primary care (7th October 2009)
This is a practical guide to support PCTs as commissioners of primary care, in working with local clinicians and other stakeholders - including patients - to promote continuous quality and productivity improvement in primary care services.
Guide

Commissioning local breastfeeding support services (6th October 2009)
This commissioning guidance aims to assist commissioners and primary care trusts (PCTs) in providing coherent services that will promote breastfeeding and reduce inequalities, as set out in Healthy Lives, Brighter Futures: the strategy for children and young people’s health (Department for Children, Schools and Families and Department of Health, 2009, para 3.43), and to work with local Children’s Trust partners in delivering Public Service Agreement (PSA) 12.
Guidance

Integrated care pilots: an introductory guide (30th September 2009)
This introductory guide to the national programme of integrated care pilots and evaluation provides a summary of the work each pilot will be doing as they implement and test their models of integrated care.
Guide

Behaviour change training delivered across Cheshire and Merseyside. A report mapping programmes and exploring processes (Published June 2009 new to website 6th October 2009)
This report was commissioned by Cheshire and Merseyside Public Health Network (ChaMPs). It details a mapping exercise of behaviour change training programmes and an exploration of the processes involved in commissioning and delivering these programmes across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Report

Top tips for commissioners and providers of behaviour change training programmes (6th October 2009)
This ‘top tips’ document was commissioned by Cheshire and Merseyside Public Health Network (ChaMPs) to support the commissioning and delivery of effective behaviour change training programmes across Cheshire and Merseyside. The document was informed by a mapping exercise of behaviour change training programmes being delivered across Cheshire and Merseyside and an exploration of the processes involved in commissioning and delivering them. It includes, ‘top tips’ for commissioners and providers of behaviour change training programmes; a best practice checklist; and a case study of a strategic and coordinated approach to behaviour change training.
Document

Tackling demand together: a toolkit for improving urgent and emergency care pathways by understanding increases in 999 demand (13th October 2009)
This toolkit has been produced by a group of ambulance providers and primary care trust commissioners together with the Department of Health to offer practical analysis, worksheets and tools to help all commissioners and providers improve urgent and emergency care services through better understanding of the factors affecting significant rises in 999 demand.
Toolkit

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

2009-10-14T12:27:00.000+01:00

Response to consultation on the de-authorisation of NHS foundation trusts (8th October 2009)
This is the Department of Health's response to consultation on the de-authorisation of NHS foundation trusts. It summarises the responses received, and outlines the Government's intention to take action as part of the Health Bill currently before Parliament.
Consultation Response

CONSULTATIONS

2009-10-14T12:26:00.000+01:00

Draft psychological support measures (9th October 2009)
A draft version of the Psychological Support measures for the Manual of Cancer Services is being issued for a three month consultation. A copy of the draft measures can be found on the Cancer Section of the Department of Health's website www.dh.gov.uk, or the CQUINS website www.cquins.nhs.uk.

Closing date for comments is 8th January 2010.
Consultation

The Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act 1990: disclosure of identifying information for research: regulations for consultation (8th October 2009)
The regulations establish a procedure for authorising the disclosure of identifying information held by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, for research purposes, where it is not practicable to obtain consent to the disclosure from the persons to whom the information relates.

This is the second consultation exercise. Closing date for comments is 2nd December 2009.
Consultation

Implementing the Health Act 2006: review of fees for applications to provide pharmaceutical services in England: consultation document (12th October 2009)
The National Health Services Pharmaceutical Services (Fees for Applications) Directions 2008 (as amended in April 2008) came into force on 21 April 2008 and specify the types of application for which a fee will be payable and the levels of such fees. The Government undertook during the passage of the Health Bill 2006 to consider a general review of this measure 18 months after it was introduced.

The Department of Health would welcome comments and views on the impact of charging on the NHS, pharmacy and appliance contractors and applicants and whether or not the current fees represent a fair contribution to NHS costs.

Closing date for comments is 12th January 2010.
Consultation

Care Quality Commission - Our Strategy for 2010-2015 (1st October 2009)
From April 2010, the Care Quality Commissions work will revolve around their new strategic priorities. Before they finalise their strategic plan, they are seeking views on how they should their powers and resources to achieve the best possible care for people across England.
Closing date for comments is 24th December 2009.
Consultation

Consultation on proposed tobacco control regulations in England (under the Health Bill 2009) (7th October 2009)
Protecting children from the health harms of smoking is a public health priority for the Government. The Health Bill 2009, currently before Parliament, includes proposals on two areas to safeguard children - provisions to prohibit the display of tobacco products and regulation-making powers to limit access to tobacco vending machines.

This consultation aims to inform parliamentary debate and gives an important opportunity for stakeholders to consider the practical implications of the details that are set out in the proposed regulations. Views are also invited on the two Partial Impact Assessments, which accompany the proposed regulations.

Closing date for comments is 30th December 2009.
Consultation

DIABETES

2009-10-14T12:25:00.001+01:00

International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines 2009 (September 2009)
The 2009 ISPAD Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines have now been published as a compendium in a Supplement to Pediatric Diabetes. The guidelines, which have been updated and are available as individual documents include:

Definition, epidemiology, diagnosis and classification
Monogenic diabetes
Management of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes
Nutritional management
Psychological issues

Guidelines

DIRECTIONS

2009-10-14T12:24:00.000+01:00

Alternative Provider Medical Services Directions 2009 (12th October 2009)
These Directions, which may be cited as the Alternative Provider Medical Services Directions 2009, are given to Primary Care Trusts in England and shall come into force on 17th September 2009.
Directions

DOCTORS

2009-10-14T12:23:00.002+01:00

Women doctors: making a difference - report of the Chair of the National Working Group on Women in Medicine (13th October 2009)
In a chapter of his 2006 Annual Report, the Chief Medical Officer considered the implications of the recent increase in the number of women entering medical school, a figure that has risen from 492 in 1960/61 to 4,583 in 2008/09. Among other effects, this has created demand for improved flexibility of working hours, meant changes to career expectations and led to new challenges for workforce planning.

In August 2008, the Chief Medical Officer asked Baroness Ruth Deech to chair a National Working Group on Women in Medicine to consider the opportunities available to women working in the medical profession.

Their report considers the current situation, reviews existing work and recommends a programme of action to improve opportunities for women in medicine.
Report

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

2009-10-14T12:23:00.000+01:00

Children and families experiencing domestic violence: police and children's social services' responses (September 2009)
In England and Wales, the Adoption and Children Act 2002 amended the definition of significant harm provided by the Children Act 1989, adding a new category of “impairment suffered from seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another”. Since domestic violence and children’s exposure to it represent a widespread social problem, this amendment has acted to draw a potentially large group of families within the remit of children’s social services. The growing mountain of police notifications to children’s social services of domestic violence incidents where children are involved and the pressures that this has created have been noted by a range of commentators in the UK, North America and Australia.

The notification system has emerged against what is acknowledged to be a background of fragmented services for children and families experiencing domestic violence, and represents an attempt to improve communication and coordination between universal and highly targeted services. This research, from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, examined both the notification process itself and the subsequent service pathways followed by families brought to the attention of children’s social services in
this way. It also explored which other agencies contributed to services for families experiencing domestic violence and captured young people’s, survivors’ and perpetrators’ views of services.
Executive summary

EDUCATION/SCHOOLS

2009-10-14T12:22:00.000+01:00

Children with Special Educational Needs 2009: an analysis (8th October 2009)
The Special Educational Needs (SEN) Information Act (2008) required the Secretary of State to publish information about children in England with special educational needs to help improve the well-being of these children.

This new annual statistical publication was developed to meet the requirements of the Act. This publication includes a wealth of new information on pupils with SEN alongside further interpretation of existing findings.
Publication

FINANCE

2009-10-14T12:21:00.002+01:00

Auditors' Local Evaluation and Use of Resources 2008/09 (1st October 2009)

Each year, the Audit Commission assesses how well NHS trusts and primary care trusts manage their resources and deliver value for money. For 2008/09, these assessments have been based on the Auditors' Local Evaluation (ALE) for NHS trusts and Use of Resources (UoR) for primary care trusts. We have published a national report outlining the scores and how they should be viewed in the context of the overall financial performance of the NHS in 2008/09, which is one of a continued improvement in financial stability. NHS foundation trusts are assessed by Monitor.

Auditors make assessments in a number of themes using key lines of enquiry. There are five themes for ALE and three themes for UoR:
ALE

financial reporting
financial management
financial standing
internal control
value for money

UoR

managing finances
governing the business
managing resources

Report

FOOD SAFETY

2009-10-14T12:20:00.000+01:00

Mission: Possible! National Pilot Project Evaluation Report (12th October 2009)
The Food Standards Agency has published an evaluation report of FSA Mission: Possible!, a UK-wide pilot scheme aimed at teaching food hygiene messages to children aged 8 to 10 (key stage 2).

The report concludes that the pilot was a great success. The scheme's secret agent concept captured pupils' imaginations and allowed them to develop a range of skills that could be applied to the wider curriculum, such as carrying out scientific investigation. FSA Mission: Possible! has proved to be a valuable resource, which is popular with children, their parents and teachers, and local authorities.
Report

GUIDANCE/GUIDELINES

2009-10-14T12:19:00.000+01:00

Collection Point Administration System (CPAS) user guidance (12th October 2009)
These training manuals are to provide guidance to users of the Collection Point Administration System (CPAS) for antivirals.
Guidance

INDEPENDENT SECTOR TREATMENT CENTRES

2009-10-14T12:18:00.000+01:00

Independent Sector Treatment Centres (1st October 2009)
Independent sector treatment centres (ISTCs) provide services to NHS patients but are owned and run by organisations outside the NHS. This briefing paper explains why ISTCs were introduced, and how they are funded, staffed and regulated. It assesses their impact so far, including the quality of their services and whether they provide good value for money. Finally, it examines what their future may be now that the contracts ISTC providers hold with the Department of Health are beginning to expire.
Briefing

LEARNING DISABILITIES

2009-10-14T12:17:00.000+01:00

Supporting Learning Disability Partnership Boards to implement the National Carers Strategy (2nd October 2009)
This booklet offers guidance to Learning Disability Partnership Boards to help them ensure carers of people with learning disabilities, and carers with learning disabilities are:

supported in their own right, and
involved in local service developments which affect their lives, and the lives of the people they care for.

Booklet

MENTAL HEALTH

2009-10-14T12:16:00.001+01:00

Mental health fact sheet: patient safety (8th October 2009)
Seven questions every board member should ask about patient safety in organisations providing mental health services.
Fact Sheet

Dementia: ethical issues (1st October 2009)
This report presents an ethical framework to help those who face dilemmas in connection with the everyday care of someone with dementia. The framework forms the basis for a number of recommendations to policy makers in the following areas:

promoting autonomy and well-being through an ethical approach to dementia care
including people with dementia in society
making decisions about the care and treatment of people with dementia
dealing with day-to-day ethical dilemmas in care
recognising the needs of carers
research funding and participation

Report

The Mental Capacity Act: fact sheet for social scientists (30th September 2009)
The Department has today published a fact sheet to assist social scientists meet the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act when carrying out social science research that includes people who lack capacity.
Fact Sheet

Guide to consent to treatment and admission for under 16s and 16 and 17 year olds (13th October 2009)
The law on consent for 16 and 17 year olds changed in January 2008. The revised Code of Practice also detailed guidance on consent for under 16 year olds. The issues regarding consent for treatment and admission are complex and are extensively explored in the The Legal Aspect of the Care and Treatment of Young People with Mental Disorder: A Guide for Professionals which is available to download or in hard copy.
These flowcharts have been designed for adult and CAMHS wards, and should be viewed in conjunction with the guide.
Documents

NHS

2009-10-14T12:15:00.000+01:00

'Licensing Resource Pack' (8th October 2009)
The General Medical Council (GMC) is today distributing an essential information pack for organisations that employ doctors. The 'licensing resource pack' aims to help employers prepare for the introduction of the licence to practise, which is the first step towards the introduction of revalidation; the biggest change to medical reguation in 150 years.
Resource Pack

NICE

2009-10-14T12:14:00.001+01:00

Rheumatoid arthritis - tocilizumab: appraisal consultation (1st October 2009)
The Department of Health asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to produce guidance on using tocilizumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the NHS in England and Wales. The Appraisal Committee considered the evidence submitted by the manufacturer and the views of non-manufacturer consultees and commentators, and clinical specialist and patient experts.

This document has been prepared for consultation with the consultees. It summarises the evidence and views that have been considered, and sets out the draft recommendations made by the Committee.

Closing date for comments is 22nd October 2009.
Consultation

Constipation in children: guideline consultation (1st October 2009)
A clinical practice guideline on Constipation in children is being developed for use in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Registered stakeholders for this guideline are invited to comment on the provisional recommendations via the NICE website.

Closing date for comments is 25th November 2009.
Consultation

Identification and care pathways for common mental health disorders: scope consultation (2nd October 2009)
NICE have been asked to develop a clinical practice guideline on Common mental health disorders: identification, assessment and care pathways for common mental health disorders for use in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The draft scope defines what aspects of care the guideline will cover and to whom it will apply. Registered stakeholders for the Common mental health disorders: identification and care pathways guideline are invited to submit comments on the scope and may suggest clinical questions that could be answered in the guideline.

Closing date for comments is 30th October 2009.
Consultation

Consultation on NICE response to Kennedy Report (October 2009)
NICE is now inviting comments on its response to Professor Sir Ian Kennedy’s report Appraising the Value of Innovation.

Closing date for comments is 13th January 2010.
Consultation

Alcohol-use disorders (prevention): consultation on the draft guidance (13th October 2009)
NICE is developing public health programme guidance (Alcohol-use disorders: preventing the development of hazardous and harmful drinking).

All registered stakeholders for the above public health programme guidance are invited to comment on the draft guidance.

Closing date for comments is 10th November 2009.
Consultation

Latest Implementation Tools (14th October 2009)
Tools to aid implementation of latest NICE guidance.

CG89 When to suspect child maltreatment: Audit Support

TA179 Gastrointestinal stromal tumours - sunitinib: Costing Template and Audit Support

TA181 Lung Cancer (non-small cell, first line treatment) - pemetrexed: Costing Template and Audit Support

TA180 Psoriasis - ustekinumab: Costing Statement and Audit Support

PH20 Social and emotional wellbeing in secondary education: Costing Statement and Slide Set

PH21 Reducing the differences in the uptake of immunisations: Costing Statement

IPG316 Extracorporeal albumin dialysis for acute liver failure: Audit Support

NURSING

2009-10-14T12:13:00.001+01:00

Work-related stress. A good practice guide for RCN representatives (8th October 2009)
Work related stress has overtaken musculoskeletal disorders as the main cause of absence and ill health in the health sector. Nursing is often seen as one of the most stressful occupations, therefore work-related stress is a major concern for RCN representatives. This guidance takes RCN representatives through the HSE's managament standards and the process of conducting a stress risk assessment. The guidance details how RCN safety representatives can get involved in each stage of the risk assessment process, with a number of case studies highlighting how representatives have implemented the HSE standards in their own workplaces. The standards are a useful tool and and can help in addressing issues such as workload, work patterns and organisational change. This publication may also be useful for stewards and learning representatives when supporting RCN members who are returning to work following a stress related illness or when negotiating learning and development opportunities for members.
Guide

Assessing, managing and monitoring biologic therapies for inflammatory arthritis (12th October 2009)
The role of biologic therapies in the treatment and management of patients with inflammatory joint disease is an evolving area that has significant implications for all practitioners. This guidance also contains a practitioners' workbook to aid a standardised assessment and management process, and part two of the publication covers specific issues for the care of children and young people. It has its own reference section and appendices that refer specifically to paediatric care.
Guidance

Clinical nurse specialists: stoma care (2nd October 2009)
The Royal College of Nursing has published new guidance which reviews the role of the stoma nurse specialist.

The publication covers stoma care education, management, consultancy and research. It also includes a series of case studies and patient stories which highlight the work of stoma nurse specialists.
Guide

OVERSEAS PATIENTS

2009-10-14T12:12:00.000+01:00

Changes to reporting procedures of overseas visitors from the EEA (12th October 2009)
This page provides latest information for Overseas Visitor managers on the new arrangements by which NHS Trusts should record and report treatments (including planned treatments) of visitors from the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
Information

Guidance on changes to recording and reporting data about necessary and planned treatment of overseas visitors from the European Economic Area (EEA) (12th October 2009)
Note on changes to be made to the collection and reporting of data about overseas visitors from 12 October 2009, with detailed guidance about the processes, and information about future workshops.
Letter

Provisional Replacement Cards (12th October 2009)
Overseas visitors receiving clinically necessary treatment who fail to provide an EHIC, should be asked to obtain a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) from the appropriate liaison body in the competent member state. A PRC provides the same access to free treatment as if it was an EHIC. PRC details should also be recorded and reported for a claim to be made. A list of providers of PRCs is available on the attachment below.
Information

Tutorial guidance on the web portal (12th October 2009)
Overseas Visitor managers should use the Overseas Visitor Treatment (OVT) portal to report treatments of visitors (including planned treatment) from the EEA and Switzerland.
Tutorial

European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) Posters (12th October 2009)
NHS Overseas Visitor managers can now download the attached posters for their use.
Posters

PANDEMIC INFLUENZA

2009-10-14T12:11:00.000+01:00

Swine flu clinical package (6th October 2009)
The swine flu clinical package is a set of tools for use by frontline healthcare professionals, in severe and exceptional circumstances, during a pandemic situation.

This revised version has been updated to reflect changes in the guidance on the use of empirical antibiotics and on oseltamivir prescribing in young children. The package has also been revised and redesigned to clarify the circumstances in which it should be used.
Guidance

Pandemic influenza: additional measures to meet workforce supply (2nd October 2009)
This document has been prepared to complement existing guidance provided by the Department of Health and NHS Employers in relation to pandemic influenza planning. It answers the frequently asked questions and, wherever possible, directs readers to more substantive guidance already in existence.
Document

Guidance on sickness certification in response to the swine flu pandemic (1st October 2009)
This document clarifies that the existing arrangements for provision of medical certificates or self-certification have not changed in light of the swine flu pandemic.

The situation is being kept under close review to enable action to be taken quickly, should it be necessary.
Guidance

Pandemic influenza: recommendations on the use of antiviral medicines for pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding and children under the age of one year (29th September 2009)
This document is a supplement to the Department of Health guidance: Pandemic influenza: guidance on preparing maternity services. It reinforces and clarifies the advice in the main guidance, and provides advice for the use of antiviral medicines in women who are breastfeeding. It also gives details of the safety and efficacy of these medicines.
Guidance

The H1N1 swine flu vaccination programme 2009-2010 (1st October 2009)
Letter providing information to assist immunisation leads, pandemic influenza leads and flu co-ordinators in further planning for the swine flu (influenza A (H1N1v) 2009) vaccination programme.
Information

PATIENT AND PUBLIC INFORMATION

2009-10-14T12:10:00.000+01:00

Access to healthcare abroad (2nd October 2009)
This leaflet tells you about how you can get healthcare in other countries in the European Economic Area (EEA).

It covers:

leisure or business trips;
planned treatment;
living abroad;
working abroad;
studying abroad.

Leaflet

NHS Continuing healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care: public information booklet (30th September 2009)
This leaflet gives a summary of information for the public on NHS continuing healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care, including details of what an individual should do if they think they may be eligible.
Leaflet

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): what it means for your long-term health (1st October 2009)
This patient information leaflet has been published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Information

PATIENT SAFETY

2009-10-14T12:09:00.001+01:00

Organisational Patient Safety Incident Reports (7th October 2009)
The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) today publishes Organisational Patient Safety Incident Reports for each NHS trust or local health board across England and Wales.

The Organisational Patient Safety Incident Reports summarise incidents reported by frontline NHS staff that have occurred between October 2008 and March 2009, and reported to the NPSA by 30 June 2009.
News
Reports

Improving Patient Safety: Risk Management for Maternity and Gynaecology (Clinical Governance Advice 2) (9th October 2009)
This is the third edition of this guidance. The original edition, entitled Clinical Risk Management for Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, was published in January 2001 and revised in 2005 under the title Improving Patient Safety: Risk Management for Maternity and Gynaecology.
Guidance

The Government response to the Health Select Committee Report 'Patient Safety' (13th October 2009)
This Command Paper sets out the Government's response to the House of Commons Health Select Committee's Report on Patient Safety.
Report

PRIMARY CARE TRUSTS

2009-10-14T12:08:00.000+01:00

The Primary Care Trust Medical Services Directions 2009 (8th October 2009)
These Directions, which may be cited as the Primary Care Trust Medical Services Directions 2009, are given to Primary Care Trusts in England; and came into force on 17th September 2009.
Directions

PUBLIC HEALTH

2009-10-14T12:07:00.000+01:00

New website section: Infant Mortality National Support Team (IMNST) (7th October 2009)
The Infant Mortality National Support Team (IMNST) was launched in autumn 2008.

It supports the 43 areas with the highest burden of infant mortality in the routine and manual group, to reduce infant mortality in disadvantaged groups and improve maternal and child health and well-being.

The IMNST provides consultancy-style, tailored support, providing local solutions based on credible expertise and a diagnostic framework.
Website

SMOKING/TOBACCO

2009-10-14T12:06:00.001+01:00

Irish tobacco display ban provides encouraging results for the UK (12th October 2009)
Putting tobacco out of sight in shops has boosted support for a display ban in the Republic of Ireland - reveals new research. Ireland put cigarettes out of sight in July this year.

Around 1000 people aged 15 and over are surveyed every month. Support grew from 56 per cent backing the ban in April to 68 per cent by September.
Information

SOCIAL CARE

2009-10-14T12:05:00.000+01:00

NHS-funded nursing care practice guide (revised 2009) (30th September 2009)
This practice guide sets out the process for determining the eligibility for NHS-funded Nursing Care under the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care. It has been revised in line with the revised National Framework.
Guidance

Identifying a fairer system for funding adult social care (7th October 2009)
The recent Green Paper shows that the Government has moved on from previous statements on adult social care – but it still lacks important detail, particularly on funding options.

In this Viewpoint, Justin Keen (Professor of Health Politics) and David Bell (Professor of Economics) evaluate the Paper and ask the following questions:

Is the Government taking steps to ensure that arrangements for the care and support of older people are fair?
Is the Green Paper detailed enough to determine whether people on different incomes may 'win' or 'lose' under any new set of proposals?
Viewpoint

STATISTICS

2009-10-14T12:04:00.000+01:00

NHS inpatient and outpatient waiting times figures, 31 August 2009 (2nd October 2009)

Statistics on NHS Stop Smoking Services: England, April 2009 to June 2009 (Q1 - Quarterly report) (8th October 2009)

Provisional Monthly Hospital Episode Statistics for Admitted patient care and outpatient data, April 2008 - June 2009 (9th October 2009)

NHS Diagnostics Waiting Times and Activities - month ending August 2009 (7th October 2009)

Drug treatment activity in 2008/09 (8th October 2009)

SUBSTANCE MISUSE

2009-10-14T12:03:00.000+01:00

Guidance for the pharmacological management of substance misuse among young people (2nd October 2009)
Until now there has been no formal guidance to help clinicians to manage substance dependence among young people. This has left practitioners concerned that their practice may not accord with the developing evidence base. This guidance document describes good practice on the best ways to manage a clinically complex condition.
Guidance

Guidance for the pharmacological management of substance misuse among young people in secure environments (2nd October 2009)
Until now there has been no formal guidance to help clinicians to manage substance dependence among young people. This has left practitioners concerned that their practice may not accord with the developing evidence base. This guidance document describes good practice on the best ways to manage a clinically complex condition.
Guidance

VULNERABLE PEOPLE

2009-10-14T12:02:00.000+01:00

Vetting and Barring Scheme (12th October 2009)
From 12 October 2009 the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (or POVA) scheme has been replaced by the Vetting and Barring Scheme. Referrals should now be made to the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).
Information

WOMEN'S HEALTH

2009-10-14T12:01:00.000+01:00

Management of unscheduled bleeding in women using hormonal contraception (9th October 2009)
The guideline was produced by Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Clinical Effectiveness Unit in collaboration with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Guideline

WORLD HEALTH

2009-10-14T12:00:00.000+01:00

Disparities in health expenditure across Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries: Why does the United States spend so much more than other countries? (30th September 2009)
The United States spent 16% of its national income (GDP) on health in 2007, which is by far, the highest share in the OECD and more than seven percentage points higher than the average of 8.9% in OECD countries. This presentation was given by Mark Pearson, Head of OECD Health Division, to the U.S Senate Special Committee on Aging.
Document

Health: Improving Policy Coherence for Development (Policy Brief) (7th October 2009)
The cost of treating disease is vastly greater than the cost of controlling or preventing disease. In a time of global recession, the disparity in health outcomes between developed and developing countries will most likely widen. The rapid expansion in trade, foreign investment and international travel mean that infectious diseases can have adverse effects not only on health but also on economic growth and security.
Brief

ABOUT THIS BLOG

2009-09-30T11:44:00.001+01:00

ALCOHOL

2009-09-30T11:43:00.001+01:00

EMBRACE - Resources Supplement 5 (22nd September 2009)
This supplement, from Alcohol Concern, contains 6 pages of resources (including links to obtain them) that people working within alcohol and substance misuse may find useful.
Document

BULLETINS/NEWSLETTERS

2009-09-30T11:42:00.001+01:00

EMBRACE Volume 2 Issue 2 (September 2009)

Health Protection Report Vol. 3 No. 37 (18th September 2009)

Health Protection Report Vol. 3 No. 38 (25th September 2009)

Telecare eNewsletter - September 2009 (22nd September 2009)

Telecare eNewsletter - Dementia supplement - September 2009 (22nd September 2009)

AHP Bulletin, Issue 73, September 2009 (28th September 2009)

GP and Practice Team Bulletin, Issue 87, September 2009 (23rd September 2009)

Medical Directors' Bulletin, Issue 96, September 2009 (25th September 2009)

CARE QUALITY COMMISSION

2009-09-30T11:41:00.001+01:00

Closing the Gap. Tackling cardiovascular disease and health inequalities by prescribing statins and stop smoking services (18th September 2009)
This new report, from Care Quality Commission (CQC) is calling for a renewed drive to cut numbers of people with cardiovascular disease (CVD) which is responsible for one in three deaths in England.

The report also highlights health inequalities between people in deprived areas and other parts of the country, of which CVD is the biggest cause.
Report

The right information, in the right place, at the right time: A study of how healthcare organisations manage personal data (21st September 2009)
This report, from CQC, calls for better patient care by ensuring the right patient information is in the right place, at the right time.

Healthcare organisations should meet the individual care needs of patients by making better use of the patient information they collect.
Report

Working together to prevent and control infections (21st September 2009)
Infections are passing between hospitals and care homes due to a lack of communication between care services.

This report highlights a need for hospitals and care homes to provide information about infections to each other to:

make sure that people with, or recovering from, an infection are cared for properly
reduce the chances of other people being infected

Report

2009 survey of mental health acute inpatient services (24th September 2009)
The biggest-ever national survey of people's experiences of acute mental health inpatient services reveals that too great a proportion feel they were let down in some important aspects of the care they received, says the CQC. More than 7,500 people recently discharged from 64 NHS trusts across England gave their views on each stage of their care from the moment they were admitted to hospital to the support they got after they left.
Survey

CARE/CARERS

2009-09-30T11:40:00.001+01:00

Employment support for carers (September 2009)
This report is based on in-depth interviews with 55 carers, both working and non working, in Scotland and England during 2008.

The study aimed to explore how caring responsibilities affect people’s decisions about employment; fill the evidence gap on the role and effectiveness of existing services for carers; assess how DWP and Jobcentre Plus can effectively help claimants with caring responsibilities to return to the labour market; and provide evidence to enable the DWP to develop its strategy for carers.
Report

COMMISSIONING

2009-09-30T11:39:00.002+01:00

Commissioning what works. The economic and financial case for supported employment (22nd September 2009)
Commissioning what works: the economic and financial case for supported employment shows that Individual Placement and Support (IPS), which helps people into paid competitive work, is effective, is good value for money and is affordable to the NHS.

Studies have shown that IPS is by far the most effective way of helping people who use mental health services to get jobs. And those who work regularly make less use of mental health services, needing fewer hospital admissions, as well as having a better quality of life and a higher income.

This briefing paper examines the cost of providing IPS services against the cost of other employment services.
Briefing

Let's Get Moving - A new physical activity care pathway for the NHS: Commissioning guidance (24th September 2009)
The commissioning guidance sets out an evidence-based behaviour charter model Let’s Get Moving encouraging local commissioning of physical activity interventions in primary care.
Guidance

Let's Get Moving feasibility study (24th September 2009)
Let's Get Moving (LGM) has been tested in a feasibility trial in 14 surgeries by the British Heart Foundation National Centre for Physical Activity and Health, Loughborough University. The results of the trial demonstrated that LGM is feasible for delivery in primary care, and subject to recommendations is suitable for wide-scale implementation. LGM is now available to the NHS for commissioning.
Document

Commissioning Excellence - issue No. 4 September 2009 (September 2009)
Please note you need to be registered with a subscribing organisation to access this quarterly bulletin from NHS Primary Care Commissioning.
Bulletin

Virtual conference for World Class Commissioning Assurance - launch of Year 2 (September 2009)
Videos, Podcasts and Documents are now available from the conference that was held in London on 16th September 2009. These are additional to the Handbook that was in the last bulletin.
Resources

COMMUNITIES

2009-09-30T11:38:00.001+01:00

2007-08 Citizenship Survey: Empowered Communities Topic Report (29th September 2009)
Using 2007-08 Citizenship Survey data, this report provides an in-depth examination of community empowerment: whether people feel they can influence local and national decisions; whether they would like to be more involved in decision making; what would make it easier to influence decision making; and how people would influence decisions if they wanted to. It also looks at people's trust in institutions and what activities people actually take part in (civic activism, civic consultation, civic participation and volunteering).
Report

COMMUNITY SERVICES

2009-09-30T11:37:00.001+01:00

HSMC Policy Paper 5. Integrating Care and Transforming Community Services: What Works? Where Next? (24th September 2009)
Health Services Management Centre (HSMC) has recently launched a new policy paper on integrated care. This follows on from a seminar organised by HSMC earlier this year which brought together experts from the US and UK to consider the issues and the evidence for what works.

Ham and De Silva’s paper summarises the presentations made at the seminar and considers the implications for policy makers and practitioners, noting the increasing interest in integrated care given the context of an ageing population and the increasing burden of chronic disease.

The authors note that while integrated care may not be the only solution, it has an important role to play in ensuring quality and the effective use of resources.
Paper

CONSULTATIONS

2009-09-30T11:36:00.001+01:00

Consultation on the proposed framework for Quality Accounts (17th September 2009)
The Department of Health has launched a public consultation on the proposed framework for Quality Accounts. Quality Accounts will be legally required of all providers of NHS Healthcare from June 2010 (subject to the successful passage of the Health Bill). For the acute sector, the duty applies next year and it will apply to primary care and community services subsequently.

Closing date for comments is 10th December 2009.
Letter
Consultation

Prioritisation for Quality Improvement: National Quality Board stakeholder engagement (29th September 2009)
The National Quality Board will advise Ministers on clinical priorities for the NHS, and on topics for NICE quality standards. This stakeholder engagement document seeks views on the Board's process for doing so. The engagement process runs from 29 September 2009 to 10 November 2009.
Consultation

DIRECTIONS

2009-09-30T11:35:00.001+01:00

The National Health Service (Nursing Care in Residential Accommodation) (Amendment) (England) Directions 2009 (29th September 2009)
These Directions come into force on 1st October 2009 and apply to every Primary Care Trust.
Directions

The Delayed Discharges (Continuing Care) Directions 2009 (29th September 2009)
These Directions come into force on 1st October 2009 and apply to every English NHS trust and Primary Care Trust.
Directions

The NHS Continuing Healthcare (Responsibilities) Directions 2009 (29th September 2009)
These Directions come into force on 1st October 2009 and apply to every Strategic Health Authority, Primary Care Trust and social services authority in England.
Directions

DISABILITIES

2009-09-30T11:34:00.001+01:00

Parental Experience of Services for Disabled Children - Qualitative Research (Phase 2): Exploring the Findings from the National Survey (24th September 2009)
This research sets out findings from a second phase of qualitative work looking at parental experiences and views of services they use in relation to their disabled child.

The research complements the ‘Parental Experience of Services for Disabled Children - National Survey’, which was published last month.
Report

DOCTORS

2009-09-30T11:33:00.001+01:00

Confidentiality (28th September 2009)
The GMC has published new guidance for doctors on confidentiality. The guidance:

sets out the principles of confidentiality and respect for patients’ privacy that doctors are expected to understand and follow
takes account of the relevant legal and ethical considerations involved in helping doctors to make decisions that respect patients’ privacy, autonomy and choices and that also benefit the wider community of patients and the public
takes account of changes in the law and guidance from other sources on confidentiality in the four UK countries
is accompanied by seven pieces of supplementary guidance which explain how the principles in the core guidance apply in a range of situations doctors often encounter or find hard to deal with, including reporting concerns about patients to the DVLA, reporting gunshot and knife wounds and disclosing information about serious communicable diseases

Guidance

DRUGS

2009-09-30T11:32:00.001+01:00

DS Daily - new current awareness service (21st September 2009)
A new current awareness service, DS Daily, has been launched by DrugScope. Subscribers get a daily email update of news in the drugs field and/or a weekly email with a summary of the week's news/reports.
Website

EDUCATION/SCHOOLS

2009-09-30T11:31:00.001+01:00

Learning from Targeted Mental Health in Schools Phase 1 Pathfinders - Summary report (September 2009)
Improving the mental health of children and young people is a critical priority informing the improvement of children’s services. This summary report draws together the key points of learning from the quarterly action learning set summary reports, and 11 interviews with a range of people involved in delivering Targeted Mental Health in Schools (TaMHS).
Summary

EQUALITY

2009-09-30T11:30:00.001+01:00

Young people: Know your rights (September 2009)
Young women and men may find themselves being treated unfairly because of their gender, age, disability, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender status. This can happen whether they are at school, school leavers making career choices, new employees, part-time workers, students in further or higher education, apprentices or trainees.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission have put together some advice resources that should be useful to young people that experiencing discrimination.
Resource

FAMILIES

2009-09-30T11:29:00.001+01:00

Nurse-Family Partnership Programme - Second Year Pilot Sites Implementation in England: The Infancy Period (23rd September 2009)

Young first time mothers are being helped to improve the life chances of their babies and fathers are more involved in the early years of their children’s lives thanks to the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) programme, independent research published today has found.

The second year evaluation report of the FNP programme by University of London, Birkeck, which is joint between the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department of Health, found that:

Effective delivery is having a positive impact on some of the most vulnerable young families in society;
There are early signs that the programme is having a positive effect on reducing smoking during pregnancy and increasing rates of breastfeeding;
Mothers value the programme and believe it has made a positive difference to how they care for their baby and their own aspirations for the future;
Fathers’ involvement is especially high with more than half of fathers present for at least one pregnancy visit;
A strong nurse-client relationship is key to its success – and clients are overwhelmingly positive about their family nurses, rating them on average 9 out of 10; and
Nurses have reported that their clients are more confident as parents, were playing with their children more, wanted to learn, and had aspirations for the future.

Press Release
Report

FINANCE

2009-09-30T11:28:00.002+01:00

The current and future state of NHS Finances. Results of an independent survey of Finance Directors in PCTs conducted by KPMG and Dr Foster Intelligence (published 30 July 2009 new to website 17th September 2009)
The overwhelming majority of PCT finance directors (84%) say they are not well enough prepared to identify substantial efficiency savings within the NHS, a survey by KPMG and Dr. Foster Intelligence has found.

The NHS has embarked on a self declared efficiency agenda and aims to identify savings between £15 and 20 billion over the next three years. However, the survey among PCT finance directors seems to suggest that most of them are not ready to take on the challenge. The survey also reveals that almost half of all finance directors feel that NHS frontline staff is aware of the efficiency challenge but limited in their understanding of its impact on budgets.
Report

Auditors' Local Evaluation (ALE) 2007/08 (24th September 2009)
The summary results for NHS trusts and primary care trusts are now available from the Auditors' Local Evaluation 2007/08 briefing.
Results

The Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) (No. 5) Directions 2009 (25th September 2009)
The Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) (No. 5) Directions 2009 were signed on 22nd September 2009 and come into force on the 1st October 2009. These amending directions make three changes to the dispensing provisions in the General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements (SFE) published in April 2005.
Directions

FOUNDATION TRUSTS

2009-09-30T11:27:00.001+01:00

Quality Reports Testing Exercise: Evaluation (Published 17th September 2009, Modified 22nd September 2009)
Monitor and the East of England SHA required all NHS foundation trusts in England and all NHS providers in the East of England region to produce Quality Reports in Spring-Summer 2009 serving as a useful trial for Quality Accounts. The Department of health commissioned a survey of the organisations that produced Quality Reports in 2008/09 and an evaluation of a selection of reports.
Report

GENERAL PRACTICE

2009-09-30T11:26:00.001+01:00

General Practice in England - An Overview (25th September 2009)
General practice has changed considerably over the past decade. Practice size has increased, the workforce has grown and become more diverse, the range of services offered has expanded, and the contracting and financing arrangements for GPs have changed. Current government policy aims to improve access and choice for patients, to enable greater self-management by people with long-term conditions, to expand the role of GPs in areas such as health promotion, to reduce variations in the quality of care provided and to improve quality overall. In the next few years, accreditation will be introduced for GP practices, and new models for commissioning and delivering care will be expanded.

This briefing, from The King's Fund, sets out how general practice is organised, contracted and financed; analyses the impact of recent government policy; and looks at future trends.
Briefing

HEALTH INEQUALITIES

2009-09-30T11:25:00.001+01:00

EVENT - Health inequalities forum: Lessons from DH National Support Team (NST) (17th September 2009)
The presentations from this event held at the Stobart Stadium, Widnes are now available.
Presentations