Local 18 week patient experience surveys (9th September 2008)
As signalled in the Operating Framework, this letter is to update NHS chief executives with more detailed guidance on the use of PCT level surveys to measure local patient experience of 18 week pathways. The letter also includes guidance and survey template.
Document
Calculating the costs of efficient care homes (17th September 2008)
This study refines the formula published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) in 2002 (revised 2004) for calculating reasonable fees, based on the operating costs of efficient care homes for older people in England. Using 2008 benchmarks, the study guides users through its associated spreadsheet and advises on modifications to reflect local market conditions.
Study
Keeping Children Safe: Information disclosure about child sexual offenders (15th September 2008)
This document describes a pilot scheme in which parents, carers or guardians of children and young people can ask the police to tell them if a person has a record for child sexual offences. If police checks show that they have a record for child sexual offences or other offences that might put the child at risk, the police will consider sharing this information with the child’s parent, carer or guardian.
Document
Improving outcomes in children and young people with cancer: guidance on commissioning services for young people (8th September 2008)
Letter containing the document Key messages for commissioners of cancer services for teenagers and young adults, developed by the National Cancer Action Team (with advice and support from an expert working group) at the request of the Children and Young People Improving Outcomes Guidance (CYPIOG) Advisory Group to support the implementation of National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance, Improving outcomes for children and young people with cancer.
Guidance
World Class Commissioning - August update (8th September 2008)
Monthly progress report on the World Class Commissioning Programme.
Update
Commissioning Specialist Library (15th September 2008)
The pilot Commissioning Specialist Library went live on 15 September 2008. The library is free, and aims to be a one-stop shop providing timely and efficient access to high quality information resources for all those involved in commissioning for health and wellbeing. It endeavours to include the best available evidence, examples of good practice, policy and data to support world class commissioning.
Resource
NHS PCC Primary Care Service Frameworks for Commissioners (September 2008)
PCC has published a number of Primary Care Service Frameworks to support PCTs and Practice Based Commissioners covering the areas of Alcohol Services, Obesity, Long Term Conditions, Support for Self Care, and Sexual Health. Further frameworks are currently being developed in partnership with the Department of Health.
Frameworks
Commissioning Safe and Sustainable Specialised Paediatric Services - A Framework of Critical Inter-Dependencies (16th September 2008)
This report provides a unique approach to the commissioning of specialised paediatric services. The work has been led by an independent Steering Group with access to a specialist Clinical Advisory Group. The project as a whole has been chaired by Dr Edward Baker, Medical Director and Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist at Guys and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. It has the support of the appropriate Royal Colleges. The results will be of particular interest to those involved in commissioning or delivering specialised paediatric services, but it has broader implications. It provides for the first time a clinically agreed system for representing the nature of the relationships between specialised services. It sets out which services need to be delivered from the same location and which do not. This will be of real significance to anyone assessing the configuration of paediatric services and indeed any services that relate to them - both wider children’s services and services to adults.
Report
Consultation on a regime for unsustainable NHS providers (10th September 2008)
'Developing the NHS performance regime', published 4 June 2008, announced the Government's intention to "establish a failure regime for state-owned providers that reflects the Government's obligations to ensure service continuity and protect public assets.” This consultation document sets out the Department of Health’s proposals for such a regime and seeks views on them by 3 December 2008.
Consultation
Impact Assessment
'Developing the NHS Performance Regime’
Confidentiality: Protecting and providing information (8th September 2008)
The General Medical Council (GMC) consulting on revised guidance for doctors on the principles of confidentiality and respect for patients’ privacy that doctors are expected to understand and follow. Closing date for comments is 28th November 2008.
Consultation information
Response
NHS North West Workforce and Education Strategy (September 2008)
NHS North West has published a 10 year workforce and education strategy. There will now be a three month consultation period, closing at the end of January 2009.
Consultation
Online Response
Traffic Light Food Labelling (August 2008)
The Faculty of Public Health Position Statement on Traffic-light food labelling, which uses red, amber and green signals to show consumers, at-a-glance, whether a product is high, medium or low in fat, saturated fat, sugars and salt.
Position Statement
Real Meals Recipe Pack (11th September 2008)
This recipe pack aims to show young people how to cook tasty and healthy meals, either at school or at home. Each recipe uses simple ingredients and equipment and meets healthy-eating guidelines.
Recipes
Merseyside DIP re-presentation report April-December 2007 (15th September 2008)
Summarises the rates of re-presentation of clients to custody suite drug testing and DIP teams in Merseyside in part of 07/08. The characteristics of clients who re-present are compared to those of clients who do not.
Report
Merseyside DIP Clients: A comparison of client characteristics for under and over 25 year olds (15th September 2008)
A comparison of client characteristics for under and over 25 year olds – This report highlights the substantial differences in characteristics between under and over 25 year olds assessed by DIP teams in Merseyside. In particular the greater use of cocaine, lower expenditure on drugs and differential experience of treatment among under 25 year olds is highlighted.
Report
Impact of Test on Arrest: An examination of Drug Testing and Drug Intervention Record data (15th September 2008)
An examination of the changes in the characteristics of clients coming into contact with the DIP programme brought about through the change from drug testing on charge in the custody suite to drug testing on arrest (April 06).
Report
DIP Attrition: An examination of client characteristics (15th September 2008)
Examines and compares the characteristics of clients exiting the DIP assessment process in Merseyside at different stages. The report provides D(A)ATs with information about how effective they are at engaging with certain client groups through the programme.
Report
Merseyside DIP Demographics Report 06/07 (15th September 2008)
Outlines the characteristics of clients seen by the five Merseyside DIP teams in 06/07. Factors such as age, gender, drug use, treatment history and accommodation status are examined and implications for service delivery discussed.
Report
On the right track? A progress review of the human rights of older people in health and social care (August 2008)
A year ago a parliamentary committee produced a hard-hitting report on older people’s human rights in healthcare which put the issue high on the agenda and called for cultural change within service providing organisations. One year on Age Concern has produced its own report, reviewing the committee’s recommendations. Age Concern continues to receive shocking stories of mistreatment and abuse in hospitals and care homes, including older people being left to sit in their own excrement or denied food and water because the staff are too busy; being left naked in front of other patients; or being heavily sedated so they are easier to care for.
Report
Health Protection Agency launches eHealth - online learning for healthcare professionals (16th September 2008)
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) today launched eHealth, a new online education and training service for health care professionals, exclusively for the National Health Service. The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accredited online training is funded by the Department of Health and covers the management of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) injuries and incidents. eHealth will contribute to a wide range of health care professionals’ ability to prepare their response to a deliberate or accidental CBRN incident.
Resource
Help is at hand: a resource for people bereaved by suicide and other sudden, traumatic death (9th September 2008)
This guide is aimed at the wide range of people who are affected by suicide or other sudden, traumatic death. It aims firstly to help people who are unexpectedly bereaved in this way. It also provides information for healthcare and other professionals who come into contact with bereaved people, to assist them in providing help and to suggest how they themselves may find support if they need it.
Help is at hand
Wallet card for the public
Postcard for professionals
Transforming services for children with hearing difficulty and their families: a good practice guide (16th September 2008)
Further to the publication of ‘Improving Access to Audiology Services in England’ in March 2007 (279830), this document provides good practice and evidence to help commissioners and service providers to make changes to the way that paediatric hearing services are delivered, and in particular to reduce waits for patients with the most common hearing difficulties.
Document
Keep Warm, Keep Well: Supporting vulnerable people during cold weather - advice for health and social care professionals (11th September 2008)
This leaflet is part of the national Keep Warm Keep well programme, which aims to reduce chronic and acute health risks associated with cold weather. It contains advice for people working in primary care or social services, and for home care providers. In this leaflet, you will find out about the dangers of cold to vulnerable people. It will help you plan before and during winter, or for any particularly cold period.
Leaflet
Keep Warm, Keep Well: poster (11th September 2008)
Get your guide to keeping warm and well this winter.
A4 Poster
A3 Poster
Listening and responding to communities: a brief guide to Local Involvement Networks (5th September 2008)
A Local Involvement Network (LINk) should be up and running in every area of England by the end of 2008. This guide has been published to help health and social care managers understand LINks. The guide also explains how LINks can help services respond to local needs.
Guide
Lifting the Burdens Task Force Review of Health and Social Care Burdens (4th September 2008)
The Lifting the Burdens Task Force Review was led by Chief Executive of London Borough of Camden, Moira Gibb. It focuses on those burdens that are a direct result of the local government/Department of Health relationship as well as those that emanate from the Commission for Social Care, and makes recommendations in the areas of: Information for performance monitoring, management and assessment; Service and regulatory inspection; Regional working to support performance improvement; Supporting people; and Enhancers and inhibitors to partnership working. The report makes a total of 19 recommendations, identifying where burdens are occurring and how these can be addressed.
Report
Survey of users of community mental health services 2008 (10th September 2008)
A Healthcare Commission survey of people using community mental health services, published today, has shown continued improvements in care. A larger percentage of service users say that they have confidence in mental health professionals, receive copies of their care plan and have a number to contact out-of-hours when in a crisis situation. Overall, most respondents continued to rate their care highly, with 78% describing it as "excellent", "very good" or "good", 13% as "fair" and 9% as "poor" or "very poor". These figures remain consistent with previous surveys.
Survey
Infections Specialist Library (15th September 2008)
The Infections Specialist Library (ISL) provides convenient and comprehensive access to the highest quality evidence on the investigation, prevention, treatment and control of infectious diseases from a clinical perspective. This is intended to keep health professionals up to date with the burgeoning amount of infectious disease evidence that is emerging daily.
Resource
Information Prescriptions (9th September 2008)
The White Paper 'Our health, our care, our say', published in January 2006, made a commitment to improving access to appropriate information for people with health or social care needs. Information prescriptions will guide people to relevant and reliable sources of information to enable them to feel more in control and better able to manage their condition and maintain their independence.
Information
Impact assessment of the introduction of a statutory scheme to control the prices of branded NHS medicines (5th September 2008)
The Government is seeking to agree a new voluntary, non-contractual scheme to replace the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme. The objective of a statutory scheme is to safeguard the financial position of the NHS in the event that companies do not sign up to the new voluntary pricing scheme or in case of failure to reach agreement on a new voluntary pricing scheme.
Impact Assessment
The Police and Mental Health (Briefing 36) (2nd September 2008)
This briefing looks at the role of the police in relation to mental health and makes recommendations for development. It calls on the NHS to manage health care in police custody and to take a more active role in diverting people with mental health problems to the services they need.
Briefing
Does public release of performance results improve quality of care? A systematic review (3rd September 2008)
A new Health Foundation report has called into question the link between public reporting of hospital performance and increased consumer choice by patients. The report demonstrates that public reporting can have a major impact on improving hospitals’ quality of care following poor results. The report looks primarily at research from the USA investigating the effects of public reporting. Even in a country with an established market in healthcare, patient choice of hospital is not affected by poor results. However, the public release of poor data was a major driving force in hospitals improving their quality of care.
Report
NHS spending: local variations in priorities: an update (September 2008)
Primary care trusts (PCTs) spend around 75 per cent of the NHS budget in England. How do they decide on their spending priorities? This paper examines the data collected by the Department of Health on the amounts PCTs spend on the 23 programmes of care based on medical conditions such as mental health, circulatory problems (including heart disease) and cancer. It also looks at changes in overall PCT spending between 2004/5 and 2006/7 and examines where the extra cash allocated to the NHS went. Fundamental differences are shown in PCT spending that are only partially explained by the different needs of local populations.
Paper
Top-up payments for drugs in England (8th September 2008)
How are top-ups distinct from other charges in the NHS and why have they become such a contentious issue now? This briefing gives some background on the relevant legislation and guidance in this area.
Briefing
What is fair: Should patients be allowed to top up their NHS care? (11th September 2008)
On 11 September 2008, The King's Fund hosted a debate on the issue of top ups and whether patients should be allowed to pay for drugs and treatments which the NHS won't fund. Professor Mike Richards, National Clinical Director for Cancer, is leading the government review on top-ups and was present at the debate.
Debate
Making the NHS the best insurance policy in the World (9th September 2008)
Britain is dropping behind in the global health race, according to a new report published today. The report, published by the independent think tank Reform, proposes that Britain combines its universal healthcare for everyone with the insurance ideas that underpin the global health leaders. It proposes a new model, a National Health Protection System, where individuals will be able to invest a £2,000 per year tax-funded premium to guarantee their healthcare.
Report
How to put NICE guidance into practice and improve the health and wellbeing of communities - Practical steps for local authorities (4th September 2008)
Following two stakeholder workshops in May of this year, NICE has developed a “How to” guide to implementation that aims to support Local Authorities with the implementation of NICE guidance. This guide is due to be launched at the NICE conference in December 2008. Closing date for comments is 5pm 22nd September 2008.
Consultation
Organ preservation (renal) - machine perfusion and static storage: appraisal consultation document (9th September 2008)
The Department of Health has asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE or the Institute) to conduct a multiple technology appraisal of machine perfusion systems and cold static storage of kidneys from deceased donors, and to provide guidance on their use to the NHS in England and Wales. The Appraisal Committee has had its first meeting to consider both the evidence submitted and the views put forward by non-manufacturer consultees and commentators, and by the clinical specialist and patient expert representatives nominated for this appraisal by non-manufacturer consultees and commentators. The Committee has developed preliminary recommendations on the use of machine perfusion systems and cold static storage of kidneys from deceased donors. Closing date for comments is 30th September 2008.
Consultation
Needle and syringe programmes: consultation on the draft guidance (15th September 2008)
Consultation on the draft guidance relating to Needle and syringe programmes: providing injecting equipment to people who inject drugs. Registered stakeholders are invited to comment on the draft guidance document which entails the draft recommendations. This consultation will take place between Monday 15th September and Monday 13th October 2008.
Consultation
Crohn’s disease - infliximab (review) and adalimumab: appraisal consultation (16th September 2008)
The Department of Health and the Welsh Assembly Government have asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE or the Institute) to conduct a multiple technology appraisal of infliximab and adalimumab for the treatment of Crohn's disease and provide guidance on their use to the NHS in England and Wales. The Appraisal Committee has had its first meeting to consider both the evidence submitted and the views put forward by non-manufacturer consultees and commentators, and by the clinical specialist and patient expert representatives nominated for this appraisal by non-manufacturer consultees and commentators. The Committee has developed preliminary recommendations on the use of infliximab and adalimumab. Closing date for comments is 3rd October 2008.
Consultation
Evaluation Report
Influenza - zanamivir, amantadine and oseltamivir (review): appraisal consultation (16th September 2008)
The Department of Health and the Welsh Assembly Government have asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE or the Institute) to conduct a multiple technology appraisal of amantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir and provide guidance on their use to the NHS in England and Wales. The Appraisal Committee has had its first meeting to consider both the evidence submitted and the views put forward by non-manufacturer consultees and commentators, and by the clinical specialist and patient expert representatives nominated for this appraisal by non-manufacturer consultees and commentators. The Committee has developed preliminary recommendations on the use of amantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. Closing date for comments is 7th October 2008.
Consultation
Latest implementation Tools (10th September 2008)
Stroke
Slide Set
Diabetes Insulin Pump Therapy
Slide Set
Age related macular degeneration (AMD) - pegaptanib and ranibizumab
Audit Support
Costing Tool
Induction of Labour
Slide Set
Hepatitis B - entecavir
Audit Support
Costing Statement
Hepatitis B - telbivudine
Audit Support
Costing Statement
Total Wrist Replacement
Audit Support
Respiratory Trace Infections
Slide Set
Rh-D negative women - routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis (including new product rhophylac)
Audit Support
Costing Statement
Prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia
Audit Support
Costing Tool
Slide Set
Smoking in children
Caring for children with a fever - RCN good practice guidance for nurses working with infants, children and young people (10th September 2008)
This good practice guidance aims to help every nurse give up-to-date, evidence-based care to infants, children and young people who are experiencing fever. The information is based on the clinical guideline Feverish illness in children (NICE, 2007) and other recently published papers. It contains information on commonly used nursing interventions, in particular the use of antipyretics and tepid sponging.
Guidance
Pandemic influenza: surge capacity and prioritisation in health services (draft for comment) (4th September 2008)
To assist responders in developing their local plans further this draft guidance has been produced with the participation and advice of subject experts and representatives from key stakeholder groups. The Department of Health are seeking wider comments on this draft and would particularly welcome views and contributions from those individuals and organisations involved in pandemic influenza planning and preparedness. These will be collated and analysed in depth and used to inform final guidance on this issue. Closing date for comments is 31st October 2008.
Guidance
Pandemic influenza: guidance for dental practices (4th September 2008)
This guidance provides a brief overview of pandemic flu, how it is transmitted and the recommendations for containing its transmission with reference to a dental setting. Full guidance is available via the pandemic flu section on the Department of Health’s website (link is provided below). This includes the National Framework for responding to an influenza pandemic and supporting guidance documents.
Guidance
Pandemic influenza: guidance on the delivery of and contract arrangements for primary care dentistry (4th September 2008)
The guidance provides specific advice to the NHS on the delivery and contract arrangements for primary care dentistry in the event of a Pandemic. It supplements and should be read with other guidance on Pandemic Flu available on the DH website.
Guidance
Other Pandemic Flu Guidance
Keep Warm, Keep Well: A guide for people over 60 (12th September 2008)
This booklet has been produced by the Department of Health, in association with other partners. It aims to help you maintain good health during winter and take advantage of the financial help and benefits available.
Booklet
Keep Warm, Keep Well: A guide for families (12th September 2008)
This booklet has been produced by the Department of Health, in association with other partners. It aims to help you and your family maintain good health during winter, and take advantage of the financial help and benefits available. Inside, you’ll find useful tips on heating your home effectively, a large section on financial support available, steps on preparing your home for the winter and advice on staying healthy.
Booklet
Keep Warm, Keep Well: A guide for people with disabilities or long-term health conditions (12th September 2008)
This booklet has been produced by the Department of Health, in association with other partners. It aims to help you maintain good health during winter and take advantage of the financial help and benefits available. Inside, you’ll find useful tips on heating your home effectively, a large section on financial support available, steps on preparing your home for the winter and advice on staying healthy.
Booklet
Drinking, You and Your Mates: How does your night end? (5th September 2008)
This leaflet for 18 to 24-year-old binge drinkers encourages them to drink sensibly and highlights the consequences of drunk anti-social behaviour.
Leaflet
Clean Hands Save Lives (2nd September 2008)
This alert provides guidance on best practice in hand hygiene at the point of care, to contribute to reducing healthcare associated infection (HCAI) in the NHS. It is based on the first hand hygiene alert issued four years ago with updated information on the point of care message, risk management and product procurement. The NPSA has issued the revised alert to give greater prominence to managing HCAI through better hand hygiene. The alert will be evaluated from April 2009.
Alert
Supporting information
10 key characteristics of good nutritional care in hospitals (11th September 2008)
The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) is launching the next four in a series of ten factsheets for all healthcare staff and care caterers to support the 10 key characteristics of good nutritional care. These factsheets have been produced by the NPSA in conjunction with the Royal College of Nursing, the Hospital Caterers Association, the National Association of Care Catering, BAPEN (British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition) and key stakeholders from the private sector, to improve the nutritional screening of patients and service users when they enter a care setting. This ensures people have access to food and beverages whenever they need them and improves nutritional planning for all patients.
Factsheets
Payment by Results for Kidney Dialysis Project Group: interim report, June 2008 (4th September 2008)
This interim report has been produced by the renal PbR project group which has been working on the development of tariffs for renal dialysis. Guidance has been developed to inform the 2008/09 reference cost exercise and the aim is to develop a mandatory tariff for dialysis for 2010/11.
Report
What role for community enterprises in tackling poverty? (15th September 2008)
What contribution can community groups make to tackling poverty in their neighbourhood? Glenn Arradon and Steve Wyler from the Development Trusts Association argue that community-led enterprise organisations including development trusts can act as a driver for positive change, creating a self-help and problem-solving culture, and helping individuals move out of poverty.
Report
The media, poverty and public opinion in the UK (10th September 2008)
This report analyses how the media reports UK poverty and its impact on public understanding and opinion. The media fulfils an important role in shaping, amplifying and responding to public attitudes toward poverty. This study, part of the Public Interest in Poverty Issues programme, explores the role of national, local and community media in reflecting and influencing public ideas of poverty and welfare.
Report
Findings
Reporting poverty in the UK: a practical guide for journalists (10th September 2008)
This guide provides journalists with an overview of UK poverty, highlights the dilemmas they face in covering it and suggests ways in which the subject can be dealt with fairly and authoritatively. The guide has been developed with input from a range of groups dealing with poverty issues and a series of seminars involving journalists from newspapers, television and radio, as well as experts on the subject and people experiencing poverty. It includes: case studies showing how journalists have tackled poverty issues; contact details for relevant organisations; sources of further information; definitions of poverty; facts and statistics relating to poverty.
Guide
The Primary Medical Services (Directed Enhanced Services) (England) Directions 2008 (2nd September 2008)
The Directions to PCTs which give the legal basis for implementing the Directed Enhanced Service for GP practices to extend their opening hours are now in force. These need to be read in conjunction with the Directions (No. 4) amending the SFE. Accompanying guidance is also available.
The Primary Medical Services (Directed Enhanced Services) (England) Directions 2008Final Guidance
Enhanced Surveillance of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Cheshire and Merseyside Mid Year 2007 (3rd September 2008)
Report commissioned by the Cheshire and Merseyside primary care trusts to use for assessing local epidemiology and to measure performance against targets in order to improve monitoring, planning and interventions for sexual health promotion and treatment and care services.
Report
Protecting Children from Secondhand Smoke (September 2008)
Since the implementation of the law banning smoking in workplaces and enclosed public places, most adults no longer have to breathe other people's tobacco smoke. But children receive little protection. In fact, around five million children in UK households are regularly exposed to the harmful toxins in secondhand smoke. To help raise awareness, the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) and ASH have published a position statement which summarises the health impact of secondhand smoke on children, and an information leaflet for parents and carers. The FPH have also produced an information poster for display.
Position Statement
Leaflet
Poster
‘Duty and Obligation’ - the invisible glue in services and support (11th September 2008)
The Department of Health’s consultation paper, The case for change, has opened a debate on the long-term future of England’s care and support system. In this viewpoint, Kalyani Gandhi and Helen Bowers argue that if social care services are to transform people’s lives, they must be based on a deeper understanding of human relationships and the nature of duty and obligation inherent within them.
Click here for Document
Home Oxygen Service Satisfaction Survey 2008 (12th September 2008)
The first annual National Patient Satisfaction Survey of the Home Oxygen Service, published today, was commissioned jointly by the Department of Health and oxygen suppliers and is an important measure of the quality of care patients receive to show satisfaction with the service. The Home Oxygen Service supplies oxygen delivered directly to the home of over 90,000 patients in England and Wales who suffer a range of conditions including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, lung cancer and supporting the discharge of premature babies. The survey results show: 88% of patients believe that their quality of life has improved since receiving the service; 75% of patients say they speak highly about the service; and The helpline provided by oxygen suppliers is the greatest factor in driving patient satisfaction.
Survey
Recognising and responding to mental health problems in the workplace: why beyondblue? (9th September 2008)
A training programme to help line managers to support staff with depression is from today being tested in the UK for the first time. The beyondblue National Workplace Programme, part of Australia's national depression initiative, gives line managers in businesses across Australia the skills, knowledge and confidence to offer the right support to people who are experiencing distress. Sainsbury Centre is testing whether the beyondblue National Workplace Programme will work in the UK. It is providing the training to line managers from UK employers including the Department of Health, Kent County Council, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Mail Group, the submarines business of Rolls-Royce and Tate & Lyle and will then find out how useful it has been.
Click here for more information
Top tips for Healthier Workplaces (8th September 2008)
The aim of this publication is to enable local workplaces within Cheshire and Merseyside to focus on the actions they can take to promote the health of their existing and prospective employees. Top tips is closely tied to the Choosing Health priority areas, and draws together evidence, national policy, and targets as well as examples of good practice, for the Choosing Health priority areas.
Full Report
Summary
