TRANSPORT

Public Attitudes Towards Climate Change and the Impact of Transport (23rd January 2008)

This report summarises people's attitudes to climate change in relation to transport. The report covers issues including knowledge of, and concern about, the environment and climate change and support for a range of policy options to reduce transport emissions.

Click here for the Report

Click here for the Annex A
Click here for the Annex B

Click here for the Annex C

Public Experiences of Car Sharing (24th January 2008)

This report examines the extent of car sharing in Great Britain, and how this varies across different socio-demographic groups. It also examines the reasons why people car share and the nature of car sharing trips. Both informal and formal car sharing arrangements are included.

Click here for the Report

Click here Annex B

Click here for the Tables

STATISTICS

Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to September 2007 (25th January 2008)

Attribution data set of GP registered populations – 2007 (24th January 2008)

Click here for the GP Registered Populations

Click here for the Technical Note

Statistics on NHS Stop Smoking Services in England, April to September 2007 (Q2) (29th January 2008)

Click here for the Report

Click here for the Tables

Click here for Quick Access for SHA's and PCTs

Mandatory surveillance of MSRA bacteraemia and clostridium difficile – September 2007 (30th January 2008)

NHS Staff Earnings July-September 2007 (30th January 2008)
Click here for the Bulletin

Click here for the Tables

Click here for the Methodology

SOCIAL CARE

State of Social Care in England 2006-07 (29th January 2008)
People not receiving support from Councils are struggling with a poor quality of life, so says the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) third annual report to Parliament on the state of social care.
Click here for the Summary

Click here for the Report – Foreword and Overview
Click here for the Report – Context and Focus
Click here for the Report – Part 1
Click here for the Report – Part 2
Click here for the Report – Appendices

Self- funded social care for older people: an analysis of eligibility, variations and future profections (29th January 2008)
The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) commissioned this study to look at the financial issues around the self-funding of social care and the impact of councils raising the threshold for access to social care services. The core findings are presented as part of the "State of Social Care in England 2006-07" report, however the full details cannot be adequately presented within the limited space and so the full report of the study has been published.
Click here for the Study

Lost to the System? The Impact of Fair Access to Care (29th January 2008)
The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) commissioned this study to address issues arising from the trend for all councils to raise the threshold for access to social care services. The core findings are presented as part of the "State of Social Care in England 2006-07" report, however the full details cannot be adequately presented within the limited space and so the full report of the study has been published.

Click here for the Study

SKILLS/TRANING

Ready to Work, Skilled for Work: Unlocking Britain's Talent and World-class Apprenticeships: Unlocking Talent, Building Skills for All (28th January 2008)
The Government today published Ready to work, skilled for work: unlocking Britain's talent and Apprenticeships: Unlocking Talent, Building Skills for All. The Government's Strategy for the Future of Apprenticeships in England. These publications describe how Government and employers can work together to unlock Britain's talent and help build a work force that has the world class skills it needs in an increasingly challenging global economy.
Click here for Unlocking Britain's Talent

Click here for Unlocking Talent, Building Skills for All
Click here for the Leaflet

PUBLIC HEALTH

Technical Briefing 2: Statistical Process Control methods in public health intelligence (1st January 2008)
Second in the series of technical briefings, designed to support public health practitioners and analysts and to promote the use of public health intelligence in decision making.
Click here for the Technical Briefing

PATIENT SAFETY

Risks of incorrect dosing of oral anti-cancer medicines (23rd January 2008)
The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) is alerting all healthcare staff involved in the use of oral anti-cancer medicines of potentially fatal outcomes if incorrect doses of these medicines are used. These oral anti-cancer medicines are increasingly being used in hospitals and in the community. Risks are increased if non-specialist practitioners prescribe, dispense or administer these oral medicines and bypass the normal safeguards used for injectable anti-cancer medicines.
Click here for the Rapid Response Report
Click here for Additional Information

PATIENT AND PUBLIC INFORMATION

Social Care – Choosing the right service for you 2008 edition (25th January 2008)
The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) updated advice booklet encourages people to ask the right questions, find out as much as possible about their options and then make informed choices about their care.
Click here for the Booklet

Pandemic Flu Guidance for…(30th January 2008)
Everyone will be involved in the fight against pandemic influenza (flu) in terms of managing the impact it will have on society and preventing further spread of the infection. The Department of Health has issued guidance for various professional groups on how to protect themselves, their colleagues and their families and prevent the spread of flu.
Click here for the Guidance for Funeral Directors

Click here for the Guidance for Cleaning Staff and Refuse Collectors in non-health care settings

Click here for Guidance for the Fire and Rescue Service

Click here for the Hospitality Industry

Click here for the Police Service

PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Communities and Local Government Committee – Work of the Committee in 2007 – Fourth Report of Session 2007-08 (25th January 2008)

Home Affairs Committee – Work of the Committee in 2007 – Fourth Report of Session 2007-08 (24th January 2008)

Committee of Public Accounts – Improving Services and Support for People with Dementia – Sixth Report of Session 2007-08 (24th January 2008)

NICE

Idiopathic Childhood Constipation (30th January 2008)
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (‘NICE’ or ‘the Institute’) has commissioned the National Collaborating Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health to develop a clinical guideline on management of constipation in children for use in the NHS in England and Wales. This follows referral of the topic by the Department of Health. The guideline will provide recommendations for good practice that are based on the best available evidence of clinical and cost effectiveness. This document is the scope. It defines exactly what this guideline will (and will not) examine, and what the guideline developers will consider. The scope is based on the referral from the Department of Health. The deadline for comments on the consultation on the draft scope by stakeholders is 26th February 2008.
Click here for the Draft Scope
Click here for the Scope Comments Form

LOCAL AUTHORITIES/GOVERNMENT

Summary of use of resources scores 2007. Scores and analysis for single tier and county councils and district councils (28th January 2008)
This report brings together use of resources assessment scores for single tier and county councils and district councils for 2007. Separate sections within this report examine the scores for each type of council.
Click here for the Report
Click here for the Resources Web page

HOMELESSNESS

OSW (Off the Streets and into Work) Conference Report: 2007 (January 2008)
OSW publishes in-depth report from its 2007 Annual Conference, 'Tackling Multiple Disadvantage and Homelessness'. The report showcases findings from the programme which explored the intricate barriers and solutions to supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and aiming move into employment.
Click here for the Report

HEALTHCARE COMMISSION

Review of Maternity Services 2007 (25th January 2008)
The Healthcare Commission has ranked one in four NHS maternity services as “best performing” in a national review published today (Friday 25th January). But the comparative review, the most comprehensive assessment ever of maternity services in England, also found significant variations in the quality of care across the country. The Commission ranked 22% of maternity services as “fair performing” (32 trusts) and 21% as “least well performing” (31 trusts). Some 26% of trusts were “best performing (38 trusts) and 32% were “better performing” (47 trusts).
Click here for the Briefing Note
Click here for the Maternity Services Scored Assessment

Click here for Individual Trusts Scores

GUIDANCE/GUIDELINES

Family Nurse Partnership 2008-09 recruitment of second wave of sites – bidding process and criteria (23rd January 2008)
The Family Nurse Partnership is an intensive preventive home visiting programme delivered by specially trained nurses and midwives who have experience of working with families in the community. It is a structured programme offered to at risk, first time young parents from early pregnancy until the child is 2 years old. 2008-09 bidding guidance for Primary Care Trusts / Local Authorities who wish to test the Family Nurse Partnership in their area. Bids are now being accepted for PCTs/LAs to test the Family Nurse Partnership in their area. Closing date for bids is 29th February 2008.
Click here for more Information

UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative statement on dummy use (24th January 2008)
In response to the publication of recent guidelines regarding the use of dummies for reducing the incidence of sudden infant death, the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative has produced a statement outlining their position on the use of dummies during the establishment of breastfeeding.
Click here for the Statement

ELDERLY/OLDER PEOPLE

Indications of Public Health in the English Regions – 9: Older People (25th January 2008)
This Indications of Public Health in the English Regions report on older people aims to describe the health and quality of life of older people living in Britain. By looking at their demography, mortality and morbidity, physical and mental functionality, quality of life, lifestyle, and services used it seeks to identify areas of concern which can be rectified and to lay down a baseline against which future progress may be judged.
Click here for the Report

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Releasing resources to the frontline: the Department of Health's Review of its Arm's Length Bodies (25th January 2008)
The Department of Health is on track to meet most of the key targets identified in a review of its arm’s length bodies, according to a report out today by the National Audit Office. By the end of 2007-08, expenditure will have reduced by £555 million, against the target of £500 million. And the number of posts in the sector will have decreased by 27 per cent, compared to the target of 25 per cent. The report concludes that the review has certainly cut costs, posts and the number of bodies, and secured some notable savings. In the wider context of developments in efficiency measurement since 2004, there remain some areas in which further evidence would be required to quantify the overall value for money achieved.
Click here for the Report
Click here for the Executive Summary

CONTROLLED DRUGS

Safer management of controlled drugs: changes to record keeping requirements (for England only) (28th January 2008)
This guidance is intended to inform and support relevant healthcare professionals and organisations in implementing changes to record keeping requirements for controlled drugs (CDs), required by changes made to 'The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001' set out in SI 2006/1450 and SI 2006/2178.
Click here for the Guidance

CONSULTATIONS

Removing or suspending chairs and non-executives from PCTs and NHS Trusts: consultation on introducing powers of suspension (24th January 2008)
This consultation sets out a single approach to considering whether and if so how, a chair or non-executive member of a Primary Care Trust (PCT), or a chair or non-executive director of an NHS trust, should be removed from office. The process may involve either seeking resignation or the termination of appointment and also introduces the potential use of a suspension function. There is currently no legal framework for the Secretary of State to direct the Appointments Commission to suspend chairs and non-executive members or directors from office. The consultation documentation sets out proposals on the amendments that need to be made to the relevant legislation in order to allow for suspension of chairs and non-executive members or directors of PCTs and NHS trusts, and for temporary non-executive member(s) or director(s) to be appointed during the period of suspension. It is intended that the introduction of a suspension function for SHA chairs and non-executives will be covered by a separate consultation at a later date. Closing date for comments is 6th March 2008.
Click here for the Consultation

Click here for the Impact Assessment

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Options for the Future of Payment by Results: 2008/09 – 2010/11 – response to consultation (24th January 2008)
The ‘Options for the Future of Payment by Results: 2008/09 – 2010/11’ consultation put forward proposals for future developments in PbR including tariff setting, coding and classification, expanding the scope of PbR, and supporting health policies through financial reform. The consultation ran March to June 2007. This document outlines the key messages the Department of Health received.
Click here for the Response

COMMUNITIES

An evaluation of Local Links: Reviewing a pilot programme to develop active networks in local communities (28th January 2008)
This report evaluates a pilot programme that is exploring the potential to develop active networks in local communities. It informs the current debate on neighbourhood governance and builds on JRF research that explores issues of community empowerment, local governance and user participation in local service delivery. The report evaluates: Programme coordination and management: clarity about what the programme sought to achieve; whether the correct people participated; management and coordination; contextual factors affecting delivery; Approach to delivery: sustaining the interest of participants; whether content was fit for purpose; whether the environment was conducive to the delivery of project objectives; Impact on participants in terms of: confidence; understanding the local area; networking; skills; motivation; benefit to participants' own projects; activism and employment; and Impact on the area: new initiatives and opportunities.
Click here for the Report

Developing active networks in local communities: A review of Local Links, a pilot programme in West Yorkshire (28th January 2008)
The pilot ‘Local Links’ programmes, run by Common Purpose in four areas of West Yorkshire, were designed to support active networking, skills development and information sharing for locally based decision makers and active citizens. This report explores whether the scheme was effective, and what benefits this approach has for communities. It examines: the benefit of informal networking in communities – meeting other people active and involved in the area, knowing what they do, taking and working together and forging stronger links; ways of valuing diversity (in all its aspects) within communities, and enabling participants to see the world through other people’s eyes; ways of overcoming some of the barriers to participation faced by local people; and Local Links as a model of good practice for work with and by communities.
Click here for the Report

Click here for the Findings

COMMISSIONING

NHS Comparators (14th January 2008)
NHS Comparators is a national resource, run by the Information Centre for Health and Social Care (The IC), which provides comparator data for NHS commissioning and provider organisation, enabling users to investigate aspects of local activity, costs and outcomes. It is designed to supplement information available by local systems. Registration is required to access this resource.
https://nww.nhscomparators.nhs.uk/NHSComparators/Login.aspx

BULLETINS/NEWSLETTERS

Health Protection Matters – Autumn 2007 (December 2007)

Health Protection Report Vol. 2 No. 4 (25th January 2008)

Social Care Bulletin, Issue 5 January 2008 (29th January 2008)

ALCOHOL

Drinking: adults' behaviour and knowledge in 2007 (25th January 2008)
This report is the seventh presenting results from questions about drinking which have been included on the ONS Omnibus survey at the request of the Department of Health and The Information Centre for health and social care. The main topics covered by this report are patterns of drinking, knowledge of alcohol units, and awareness of current advice on drinking.
Click here for the Report

WEIGHT

Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives – A Cross Government Strategy for England (23rd January 2008)
This cross-government strategy is the first step in a sustained programme to support people to maintain a healthy weight. It will be followed by a public annual report that assesses progress, looks at the latest evidence and trends, and makes recommendations for further action. Our ambition is to be the first major nation to reverse the rising tide of obesity and overweight in the population by ensuring that everyone is able to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Our initial focus will be on children: by 2020, we aim to reduce the proportion of overweight and obese children to 2000 levels.
Click here for the Strategy

STATISTICS

Diagnostic tests waiting times and activity data: month ending November 2007 (16th January 2008)
Click here for Commissioner based
Click here for Provider based

Men drink twice as much alcohol as women (22nd January 2008)

Citizenship Survey: April – September 2007, England and Wales (17th January 2008)
Click here for the Report
Click here for the Tables

Life expectancy gap at State Pension Age set to narrow (17th January 2008)

British Social Attitudes 24th Report – Summary (23rd January 2008)

Wasting Lives – A statistical analysis of NHS performance in a European context since 1981 (January 2008)

SOCIAL CARE

LAC(DH)(2008)1: Transforming social care (17th January 2008)
This Local Authority Circular sets out information to support the transformation of social care as signalled in the Department of Health's social care Green Paper, 'Independence, well-being and choice' (2005) and reinforced in the White Paper, 'Our health, our care, our say: a new direction for community services' in 2006. It describes the vision for development of a personalised approach to the delivery of adult social care and context in which this policy is grounded. It also includes copy of the Social Care Reform Grant Determination and the details of the new ring-fenced grant to help councils to redesign and reshape their systems over the next 3 years.
Click here for the Circular

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Transforming health research: the first two years – National Institute for Health Research progress report 2006-2008 (17th January 2008)
The report describes the progress made by the National Institute for Health Research in implementing the Government's Best Research for Best Health research strategy.
Click here for the Report

PUBLIC SERVICES

Making it Personal (18th January 2008)
Demos has produced a report which advocates a simple yet transformational approach to public services - self-directed services - which allocates people budgets so they can shape, with the advice of professionals and peers, the support they need. Self-directed services, it is argued, will enable people to create solutions that work for them and as a result deliver better value for money for the taxpayer. Such an approach could also empower those least confident.
Click here for the Report

PUBLIC HEALTH

Sustaining a Healthy Future – Taking action on climate change (22nd January 2008)
The health and healthcare community must use its vast influence to help avert the catastrophic effects of climate change, according to a new guide published by the Faculty of Public Health. This publication focuses on the health impact of climate change and the critical role of the NHS and wider health and healthcare community in creating a healthier, more sustainable, low-carbon future.
Click here for Sustaining a Healthy Future
Click here for Joint statement

PRIMARY CARE TRUSTS

Primary Care Roadmap (18th January 2008)
NHS Connecting for Health and the strategic health authorities have just made available a primary care roadmap. This document gives an overview of the primary care elements of the National Programme for IT (NPfIT) which will impact upon PCTs over the next 12-18 months. It is only available via the NHS web.
Click here for the Roadmap

POVERTY

Is poverty in the UK a denial of people's human rights? (January 2008)
Being poor in the United Kingdom can mean being subjected to discrimination on the grounds of poverty. Both poverty and discrimination are contrary to the spirit and the terms of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Damian Killeen argues that the refusal of successive governments to incorporate the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights into UK law has compounded common social attitudes that denigrate people who experience poverty and that undermine popular support for policies to eradicate poverty.
Click here for the Document

PHARMACY

A Pharmacists brief guide to General Medical Practices (January 2008)
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has launched a new publication, 'A pharmacist’s brief guide to General Medical Practices.' The guide is designed to give community pharmacists a flavour of how a GP practice works and how best to collaborate and develop relationships with GP practices.
Click here for the Guide

PATIENT AND PUBLIC INFORMATION

Medicines Management: Everybody’s Business (18th January 2008)
The leaflet aims to empower service users and carers to ask relevant questions about medication and have their views taken into account, and to help health and social care practitioners improve their person-centred approach in the area of medicines management.
Click here for the leaflet

The RCGP and Lord Darzi’s review of the NHS (January 2008)
The first in an occasional series of patient information leaflets produced by the Royal College of General Practitioners on important issues affecting general practice.
Click here for the leaflet

PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee – The Work of the Committee in 2007 – Third Report of Session 2007-08 (23rd January 2008)

Committee of Public Accounts – Department of Health: Prescribing costs in primary care – Second Report of Session 2007-08 (17th January 2008)

NICE

Arteriovenous extracorporeal membrane carbon dioxide removal – Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG250 (23rd January 2008)
Arteriovenous extracorporeal membrane carbon dioxide removal (AV ECCO2R) is used to treat respiratory failure (in which the lungs do not work effectively) in critically ill patients. The aim is to remove excess carbon dioxide from the blood. The patient will still need to receive oxygen by mechanical ventilation. Blood is drawn from one of the patient's arteries and passed through a synthetic membrane, where carbon dioxide is removed, and the blood is then returned to a vein.
Click here for the Full Guidance
Click here for the Understanding NICE Guidance
Click here for Audit Criteria
Click here for Consultation Comments

Mesothelioma – pemetrexed disodium – Technology Appraisal TA135 (23rd January 2008)
Pemetrexed is recommended as a possible treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma in people: with advanced disease; whose cancer is not suitable for surgical resection (removal) and who have a World Health Organization (WHO) performance status of 0 (able to carry out all normal activity without restriction) or 1 (restricted in strenuous activity but able to move around and carry out light work). Healthcare professionals should not stop prescribing pemetrexed for people who were already taking it when the guidance was issued. These patients should be able to carry on taking pemetrexed until they and their specialist decide that it is the right time to stop treatment.
Click here for the Guidance
Click here for the Quick Reference Guide
Click here for the Understanding NICE Guidance

Guidance on the promotion and creation of physical environments that support increased levels of physical activity – Public Health Programme Guidance PH008 (23rd January 2008)
This guidance offers the first national, evidence-based recommendations on how to improve the physical environment to encourage physical activity. It demonstrates the importance of such improvements and the need to evaluate how they impact on the public's health.
Click here for the Guidance
Click here for the Quick Reference Guide (for professionals)
Click here for the Quick Reference Guide (for public)
Click here for the Costing Report

Psoriasis – infliximab – Technology Appraisal TA134 (23rd January 2008)
This guidance explains when infliximab should be used to treat adults with plaque psoriasis in the NHS in England and Wales.
Click here for the Guidance
Click here for the Quick Reference Guide (for professionals)
Click here for the Understanding NICE Guidance (for public)
Click here for the Audit Criteria
Click here for the Costing Template

Ultrasound-guided catheterisation of the epidural space – Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG249 (23rd January 2008)
The epidural space is surrounding the spinal cord, inside the spinal column. Epidural space catheterisation through the middle or lower back is usually performed as part of anaesthetic techniques, in order to inject analgesic drugs. A needle is inserted into the interspinous ligament and advanced very slowly until there is no longer any resistance to the injection of air or saline, indicating that the tip of the needle is in the epidural space. However, there are at times technical difficulties in achieving this. Ultrasound imaging may be used to help identify the epidural space.
Click here for the Full Guidance
Understanding NICE Guidance

Consultee Comments

Metastatic malignant disease of unknown primary origin: scope consultation (21st January 2008)
NICE have been asked to develop a clinical practice guideline on Metastatic malignant disease of unknown primary origin 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 Metastatic malignant disease of unknown primary origin 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 18th February 2008).
Click here for Draft Scope
Click here for Comments Proforma

Hypertension in pregnancy: scope consultation (23rd January 2008)
NICE have been asked to develop a clinical practice guideline on hypertension in pregnancy for use in the NHS in England and Wales. The draft scope defines what aspects of care the guideline will cover and to whom it will apply. Registered stakeholders for this 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 19th February 2008.
Click here for Draft Scope
Click here for Draft Scope Appendix
Comments Proforma

NHS

Governing the NHS – Alternatives to an independent Board (17th January 2008)
An independent NHS board has been advocated by a number of commentators, who believe it will reduce both micromanagement and day-to-day political interference in the running of the health service. This paper argues that an independent board would be limited in its ability to achieve these aims. It suggests a number of alternative options to an independent board that build on the increasing operational independence the recent reforms have offered. These options would help secure a better balance between public accountability and local autonomy within a more devolved health care system.
Click here for the Paper

Orthopaedics Measurement Scenarios (updated 22nd January 2008)
The British Orthopaedic Directors Society developed a series of practical examples for 18 weeks which helped to identify the 18 week clock starts and stops. These have now been updated in line with the refreshed rules and definitions.
Click here for the Scenarios

A Dialogue of Equals – The Pacesetters programme Community Engagement Guide (23rd January 2008)
The guide has been written to support NHS organisations participating on the Pacesetters programme to better engage with seldom-heard communities and groups.
Click here for the Guide

LOCAL AUTHORITIES/GOVERNMENT

For better, for worse (17th January 2008)
This report looks at partnerships lasting 10 or 15 years designed to deliver services such as council tax collection, IT and property management. It examines why many Strategic service-delivery partnerships (SSPs) have not yet generated all the expected benefits of partnerships with the private sector, such as greater flexibility, economies of scale, innovation and risk and profit sharing.
Click here for the Summary

Click here for the Report
Click here for the Framework
Click here for the Procuring through partnerships research report
Strategic Partnership webpages on Audit Commission

Positively charged (22nd January 2008)
This report presents the findings from research into councils' use of their powers to charge for services. It will be of particular interest to councillors, in both their executive decision-making and scrutiny roles, and to finance and service managers with responsibility for the implementation of councils' approaches to charging.
Click here for the Summary
Click here for the Report
Click here for the Technical appendices

HOUSING

Research into the financial benefits of the Supporting People programme (16th January 2008)
Study to assess the financial benefits of the Supporting People programme, which provides strategically planned housing related services to vulnerable people. The purpose of the study is to inform discussions with Treasury in the run up to the Comprehensive Spending Review. Notably, the study holds that investment in packages of support that include housing support services avoids costs elsewhere, and therefore produces a net financial benefit in the region of GBP 2.77 billion per annum for the client groups considered.

Click here for the Report

GUIDANCE/GUIDELINES

HTM 05-03: Part J – Fire engineering in healthcare premises (22nd January 2008)
This is a new document providing guidance and a basic understanding of fire engineering principles for healthcare premises.
Click here for the Guidance

GENERAL PRACTICE

Practice Based Commissioning GP practice survey (18th January 2008)
This is the second quarterly practice survey, covering a sample of practices from each primary care trust (PCT). The aims of the survey are to get feedback from practices on their perception of the support offered by their PCT and on the clinical and financial engagement of practices with PBC. The survey is part of a group of indicators that will be assessed together to give a picture of PBC implementation.
Click here for Summary of Results
Click here for Detailed Survey Results
Click here for Response from the North West SHA to the survey findings

EQUALITIES

The drivers of Black and Asian people's perceptions of racial discrimination by public services – A qualitative study (17th January 2008)
Report sets out the psychosocial and service-specific drivers that contribute to Black and Asian people's perceptions of discrimination or fairness in eight key public services. Following this qualitative analysis, the report makes key recommendations relevant to each public service under three broad categories: structural mechanisms, frontline service delivery and communications.
Click here for the Report

EDUCATION/SCHOOLS

National School Survey Results 2007 (England) (18th January 2008)
The Audit Commission's School Survey captures schools' perceptions of their council's services and the services provided locally for children and young people. The school survey is completed by the headteacher who is encouraged to consult other staff and governors. The survey offers schools the opportunity to influence the work of their council and its partners as well as the opportunity to feed into the inspection of their council. The detailed results of the survey are used by councils in order to assess and improve their services.

Click here for the Survey Results

DIET/NUTRITION

Food Competencies Framework (January 2008)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published a framework of core skills and knowledge for children and young people, which sets out the essential building blocks in relation to healthy eating, cooking and food safety. The Food Competences Framework, as it is known, is intended to help schools and community-based organisations provide children and young people with the foundation to make healthy food choices now and into adulthood.

Click here for the Framework

CONSULTATIONS

Taking Forward the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property – Proposed changes to Copyright Exceptions (8th January 2008)
In December 2006, Andrew Gowers reported his findings on the UK’s Intellectual Property regime. While he concluded that the system was broadly satisfactory he identified a number of areas where improvements could be made. These included modifying copyright rules to improve access to, and use of, copyright material for private individuals, students and libraries. Closing date for comments is 8th April 2008.
Click here for the Consultation

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) consultation on NHS unsocial hours payments (18th January 2008)
The Royal College of Nursing has today launched a consultation on a final set of proposals on unsocial hours payments for NHS staff covered by Agenda for Change. Under the new proposals, which are out for consultation until Monday 18 February, all staff in the same band will for the first time be paid the same rate for working unsocial hours.
Click here for the for Consultation

COMMUNITIES

The Power of Belonging: Identity, citizenship and community cohesion (17th January 2008)
A ‘new identity politics’ has emerged in Britain over the last decade or so. It has evolved from within Britain’s liberal and social democratic traditions and maintains that we need to do more as a society to foster a common sense of belonging and shared civic identities. Shared identities are thought to contribute to a number of progressive goals, such as fostering communities in which people from different backgrounds get along well together, encouraging citizens to participate actively in public life and generating wider support for a more egalitarian distribution of wealth and income. In this short report the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) set out to test the claims of those who support this new agenda and interrogate its potential for furthering liberal and social democratic goals. The report also sets out a number of recommendations for how national and local government can act to promote a common sense of belonging.
Click here for the Executive Summary

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

How well are they doing? The impact of children's centres and extended schools (23rd January 2008)
This report evaluates the impact of services provided by extended schools and Sure Start children's centres on children and young people from birth to 19 and on their families. It follows an earlier evaluation of the national roll-out of extended services.
Click here for the Report

CANCER

The effects of cancer treatment on reproductive functions – Guidance on management (Published November 2007 – new to website January 2008)
This guidance, which is a collaboration between the Royal Colleges' of Physicians, Radiologists and Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, is essential reading for clinicians and clinical service managers involved in cancer care. Commissioners of NHS services and funders of future research in this field will also find it valuable.
Click here for the Guidance

Let’s Beat Cancer Together – A cancer early detection and prevention strategy for Cheshire and Merseyside (16th January 2008)
This event, organised by Cheshire and Merseyside Public Health Network (ChaMPs), was held on 16th January 2008. These are the presentations from the event.
Click here for Going Further on Cancer Waits – Prof Mike Richards

Click here for The Cancer Challenge in the Northwest of England – Pat Higgins

Click here for Developing a Cheshire and Merseyside Strategy – Dr Daniel Seddon and Paul MacKenzie

Click here for Risk-taking behaviour and cancer prevention in sexual health – Prof Mark Bellis

Click here for Cancer Prevention Research Network – Andrew Renehan

Click here for Reducing Health Inequalities through Improved Early Detection and Prevention of Cancer: A Strategy for 2008 to 2010

BULLETINS/NEWSLETTERS

AHP Bulletin, Issue 62, January 2008 (16th January 2008)

Medical Directors Bulletin, Issue 77, January 2008 (17th January 2008)

Health Protection Report Vol. 2 No. 3 (18th January 2008)

CSIP Telecare eNewsletter – January 2008 Events Special (17th January 2008)

ANNUAL REPORTS

Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards (ACCEA) annual report (covering the 2007 awards round) 2008 (21st January 2008)
This annual report covers the 2007 Clinical Excellence Awards round. It reports on the work of the Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards and analyses the distribution of awards. It also sets out work that is in hand further develop and refine the scheme and report on the key activities during the year.
Click here for the ACCEA Annual Report: covering the 2007 awards round

Click here for Annex A: ACCEA member

Click here for Annex B: ACCEA subcommittee members

Click here for Annex C: ACCEA secretariat

WORKFORCE/WORKPLACE

Violence in the workplace – The experience of doctors in Great Britain (10th January 2008)
One in three doctors in Great Britain has been a victim of physical or verbal attack in the past year, but most do not report it, research by the BMA indicates today. Around 600 doctors from across Great Britain responded to a BMA survey on their experiences of violence in the workplace in the past year. A third had experienced some form of violence – including threats and verbal abuse – and one in ten had been physically attacked, including being stabbed, kicked, punched, bitten and spat at. Of these, one in three received minor injuries, and one in 20 was seriously injured.
Click here for the Report

STATISTICS

Referral to Treatment Statistics (admitted patients, non-admitted patients and incomplete RTT times), October 2007 (10th January 2008)

Labour market statistics – January 2008 (16th January 2008)

Labour market statistics – North West January 2008 (16th January 2008)

Health expectancies at birth and at age 65 in the UK, 2004 (15th January 2008)

SOCIAL EXCLUSION

Think Family (10th January 2008)
Today Ed Miliband and Beverley Hughes launched a new approach to local services to improve support for the most disadvantaged families and prevent problems passing down from excluded parents to their children. The Think Family report – published by the Social Exclusion Task Force in the Cabinet Office – will ensure adult services support whole families not just individuals, and announces a £16m programme of local pilots, to be led by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Click here for the Report

Click here for the Literature review

Click here for the Findings of the joint DCSF/MOJ Children of Offenders Review

Click here for the Families at Risk Review

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Radiation Protection Research Programme (15th January 2008)
DH funds a programme of research into the health effects of exposure to ionising radiation and to electromagnetic fields. This is known as the Radiation Protection Research programme. The purpose of the programme is to help guide Government policy in the field of radiation protection. The overall research strategy, and information on the projects including duration, costs, the research teams involved and project summaries are given.
Click here for the Report

PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Health Committee – National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence – First Report of Session 2007-08 Volume 1 (10th January 2008)

Joint Committee on Human Rights – Government Response to the Committee's Twenty-First Report of Session 2006-07: Human Trafficking Update – Fourth Report of Session 2007-08 (15th January 2008)

Committee of Public Accounts – Building for the future: Sustainable construction and refurbishment on the government estate – Third Report of Session 2007-08 (15th January 2008)


Work and Pensions Committee – Full employment and world class skills: Responding to the challenges: Government Response to the Committee's Eighth Report of Session 2006-07 – First Special Report of Session 2007-08 (14th January 2008)

NICE

Stroke – draft consultation (10th January 2008)
A clinical practice guideline on Stroke: The diagnosis and acute management of stroke and transient ischaemic attacks is being developed for use in the NHS in England and Wales. Registered stakeholders for this guideline are invited to comment on the provisional recommendations via this website. Closing date for comments is 6th March 2008.
Click here for Full version and appendices

Click here for Algorithm 1 – TIA Pathway

Click here for Algorithm 2 – Stroke Pathway

Click here for the Evidence Tables

Click here for the NICE version

Click here for the Comments Form

Nocturnal enuresis: scope consultation (9th January 2008)
NICE have been asked to develop a clinical practice guideline on nocturnal enuresis for use in the NHS in England and Wales. The draft scope defines what aspects of care the guideline will cover and to whom it will apply. Registered stakeholders for the nocturnal enuresis 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 6th February 2008.
Click here for the Draft scope
Click here for the Comments proforma

Follicular lymphoma – rituximab: final appraisal determination (10th January 2008)
After considering the feedback from consultation, the Appraisal Committee has prepared a Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) on Rituximab for the treatment of relapsed or refractory stage III or IV follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (review of technology appraisal guidance 37) and submitted it to the Institute. The FAD has been sent to the formal consultees for this appraisal who have 15 working days to consider whether they wish to appeal against it. Subject to any appeal by consultees, the FAD may be used as the basis for the Institute's guidance on the use of the appraised technology in the NHS in England and Wales. Please note that the appeal period for this appraisal will close at 5pm on 24th January 2008.
Click here for Final Appraisal Determination

Click here for the Response to comments

Click here for Consultee and Commentator comments

Click here for Expert comments on the ACD

Asthma (in adults) – corticosteroids (10th January 2008)
The Institute has received one appeal against the Final Appraisal Determination and Guidance on this technology. In this case, the Chairman of the Appeal Committee has decided that the nature of the appeal is such that it can be determined on the basis of written submissions. The Institute will not, therefore, be holding a public appeal hearing and appellants will not be required to attend to answer questions from the Panel. An appeal panel meet on 9th January 2008 to consider an appeal lodged against the above appraisal. The Institute awaits the decision of the appeal panel.
Click here for Appeals received
Click here for Initial Scrutiny Letter
Click here for Response to Scrutiny Letter
Click here for TEVA Response to NICE

Diabetes (type 2) – newer agents: scope consultation (14th January 2008)
NICE have been asked to develop a clinical practice guideline on Diabetes (type 2) - newer agents for blood glucose control 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 Diabetes (type 2) - newer agents for blood glucose control 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 11th February 2008.
Click here for Draft scope
Click here for Comments proforma

Prevention of ventilator-associate pneumonia in adults – consultation documents (15th January 2008)
Following the resolution process on the Patient Safety Guidance on Prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in adults, further assessment is being carried out on the intervention selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD). NICE are now consulting for a two week period on the speciation for this further analysis, and the protocol that will be used by the Review Body to prepare the analysis. Closing date for comments is 29th January 2008.
Click here for Specification for further analysis
Click here for the Protocol consultation document

NHS

Aspiring to excellence: final report of the independent inquiry into modernising medical careers (8th January 2008)
The Consultation on the Interim Report into Modernising Medical Careers has generated strong support for the 45 Recommendations, with 87% of respondents signalling agreement. The Interim Report identified eight areas in which corrective action was necessary. The proposed corrective action was largely endorsed.
Click here for the Report

The Standard NHS Contract for acute hospital services and supporting guidance (December 2007)
These documents represent Annex E to the NHS operating framework for 2008-09 and should be read in conjunction with Annex D: Principles and Rules of Co-operation and Competition. The NHS contract for acute hospital services will cover agreements between PCTs and providers for the delivery of acute hospital based care. Commissioners and providers should now use these finalised documents rather than previous versions. A helpdesk for PCT and SHA staff is available from 2nd January 2008 to 30th April 2008, to support the implementation of the new contract.
Click here for the Standard NHS contract for acute services (revised 17th December 2007)

Click here for the Guidance on the Standard NHS Contract

Click here for the Contract activity profile 2008-09

Click here for the Guidance on the routine collection of Patient Reported Outcome Measures

Click here for the Consortium agreement

Click here for the Consortium agreement legal guidance

Click here for the PCC Helpdesk

Enhancing the Healing Environment Programme (EHE) (10th January 2008)
A new programme to improve environments for care at end of life. This Department of Health funded initiative follows the success of the King’s Fund’s award winning Enhancing the Healing Environment programme in England. Actions: NHS chief executives interested in applying for the 20 available places can access further information and the application form at the link. The closing date for applications is the 22 February 2008.
Click here for Information

Organs for transplants: a report from the Organ Donation Taskforce (16th January 2008)
A report from the Organ Donation Taskforce, making recommendations on action to take to increase the number of organs available for transplantation. The supplement report seeks to: provide the wider evidence behind the work of the Taskforce; and explain the benefits, both qualitative and quantitative, behind each of the recommendations and to explore some of the wider implications.
Click here for the Report
Click here for the Supplementary Report

Inspiring Design Excellence and Achievements (IDEAs) (15th January 2008)
Inspiring Design Excellence and Achievements (IDEAs) is a tool to assist in the generation of design briefs, proposals and schemes. Working with the latest research evidence collected by the University of Sheffield, IDEAs starts the design of healthcare places with people – patients, staff and visitors – and responds to the emotional and functional requirements of healthcare delivery. IDEAs deals with activities rather than individual spaces or rooms. Examples of activities that occur in healthcare places include: arrival; bathing; bed rest; circulating; consulting; shopping; sanctuary; socialising; and waiting. IDEAs can be used either as a standalone tool within a workshop context or as a web-enabled integrated tool by individuals.
Click here for the Tool

A Staff and Patient Environment Calibration Tool (ASPECT) (15th January 2008)
ASPECT stands for A Staff and Patient Environment Calibration Tool. It is based on a database of over 600 pieces of research. That research deals with the way the healthcare environment can impact on the levels of satisfaction shown by staff and patients and on the health outcomes of patients and the performance of staff. The ASPECT toolkit addresses eight key headings: Privacy, company and dignity; Views; Nature and outdoors; Comfort and control; Legibility of place; Interior appearance; Facilities; and Staff. ASPECT can be used as a stand-alone tool, or it can be used to support AEDET Evolution to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the design of healthcare environments.
Click here for the Summary (January 2008)
Click here for the Documentation (January 2008)
Click here for the Toolkit (December 2007)
Click here for the AEDET and ASPECT evidence layer (December 2007)

MENTAL HEALTH

Community Order and the Mental Health Treatment Requirement (9th January 2008)
It is estimated that half of people on community orders have at least one mental health problem, yet fewer than one per cent of community orders issued in 2006 contained a requirement for mental health treatment. The report looks at the mental health treatment requirement and examines barriers to its use for offenders in the community. This marks the beginning of the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health's research into the Community Order and the mental health treatment requirement as part of our criminal justice programme.
Click here for the Report

LONG-TERM CONDITIONS

Long-term conditions compendium of information 'Adding years to life and life to years' (14th January 2008)
This document, launched in December 2007 updates the first compendium of information on LTCs, published in May 2004. It will further inform all those who are involved in both commissioning and providing care and support services for people with LTCs. It focuses on the outcomes that people with LTCs said that they wanted from services and describes how more effective management of LTCs in a number of local communities is delivering high-quality and personalised care. Finally, it summarises the key systems and levers that are crucial to driving forward further improvements in care for people with LTCs.
Click here for the Covering letter
Click here for the Document

LOCAL AUTHORITY/GOVERNMENT

Focusing on citizens, users and diverse communities – learning from comprehensive performance assessment and inspection 2006/07 (16th January 2008)
This report draws upon the findings from Comprehensive Performance Assessment, inspections, performance information and national surveys of local services published by September 2007. It summarises what the Commission has learnt about how well councils understand, engage with and focus on their communities and identifies what progress councils are making to address issues of equality and diversity.
Click here for the Report

Long-term Evaluation of the Beacon Scheme: Organizational Learning, Knowledge and Capacity: A systematic literature review for policy-makers, managers and academics (15th January 2008)
This report presents the full findings of a systematic literature review on how learning takes place between organizations and how institutional learning and knowledge transfer can be fostered. Based on existing academic and policy literature, the report outlines key implications for policy and practice, and the Beacon Scheme in particular. Overall the report will enable the Beacon Scheme evaluation to learn from research findings from other fields that have addressed learning, knowledge and capacity in organizations.
Click here for the Report
Click here for the Summary

Getting better all the time? An independent assessment of local government improvement and its future prospects (15th January 2008)
In the summer of 2007, the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) commissioned an authoritative statement of current knowledge of local government improvement. This was based both on the available literature and current practice. 'Getting better all the time?' explicitly addresses what is unique about local government and its developing role. Particular attention has been paid to the political dimension, partnership working and community leadership.
Click here for the Published version
Click here for the Extended version

INFECTIONS

MRSA: Separating Fact from Fiction – the role of treatment within MRSA management (January 2008)
The MRSA working group was formed in September 2007, and is a multidisciplinary group of experts, who have each brought a different area of expertise to the development of the report. In collaboration with National Concern for Healthcare Infections (NCHI) the report has been developed with the aim of giving Patients and the General Public a clearer idea of the issues surrounding MRSA treatment and control, from both a Patient and a Professional perspective.
Click here fore the Report

The Health Act 2006: Code of practice for the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (11th January 2008)
The code of practice will help NHS bodies to plan and implement how they can prevent and control healthcare associated infections. It sets out criteria by which managers of NHS organisations are to ensure that patients are cared for in a clean environment and where the risk of health care associated infections is kept as low as possible.
Click here for the Code of Practice

Cleanyourhands Campaign (January 2008)
Following the success of the cleanyourhands campaign in changing many aspects of hand hygiene behaviour among healthcare workers in acute trusts, the campaign is being extended to other NHS organisations. The campaign has already been successfully piloted by nineteen 'pioneer' organisations which were selected to represent the mix of different healthcare settings and test the campaign prior to wider roll-out.
Click here for Information

HEALTH INFORMATICS

Hospital Activity Data: A Guide for Clinicians (published November 2007 New to website 9th January 2008)
The Royal College of Physicians Health Informatics Unit has produced a guide to hospital activity data, designed to support consultants from any specialty (medical or surgical) in the interpretation and use of routinely collected data held in their name. Analyses of consultant-level data are becoming more commonplace, and may be provided by hospital trusts or by external benchmarking companies such as Dr Foster Intelligence and CHKS. The guide contains answers to the questions clinicians most commonly ask when regarding such data, along with worked examples, a glossary and ten tips for good note keeping practice to ensure accurate clinical coding. English and Welsh versions reflect subtle differences in the way data are handled in the two countries.
Click here for Hospital Activity Data: A Guide for Clinicians (for consultants working in England)

Click here for Hospital Activity Data: A Guide for Clinicians (for consultants working in Wales)

Click here for Top Ten Tips for Coding: A Guide for Clinical Staff

Click here for Sample Analyses of Hospital Activity Data for Consultants

Click here for Hospital Activity Data Query Methodology for NHS Information Analysts