The National Programme for IT in the NHS: Progress since 2006 (16th May 2008)Delivering the National Programme for IT in the NHS is proving to be an enormous challenge. All elements of the Programme are advancing and some are complete, but the original timescales for the electronic Care Records Service, one of the central elements of the Programme, turned out to be unachievable, raised unrealistic expectations and put confidence in the Programme at risk. Today’s progress report on the Programme by the National Audit Office concludes that the original vision remains intact and still appears feasible. However, it is likely to take until 2014-15 before every NHS Trust in England has fully deployed the care records systems, four years later than planned.
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Designing Gypsy and Traveller Sites: Good Practice Guide (15th May 2008)This document sets out good practice in respect of the design of Gypsy and Traveller sites. It is intended to provide potential developers and existing site owners with an understanding of the design features needed to help ensure a site is successful, easy to manage and maintain, including site location, layout, size and the services and facilities need to make it operate effectively.
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Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme – Screening for Down’s Syndrome: UK NSC Policy recommendations 2007-2010: Model of Best Practice (13th May 2008)Recommendations from The UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) following outcomes and benchmark timeframes for Down’s syndrome screening programme in England.
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Consent: patients and doctors making decisions together (May 2008)The GMC has published new guidance for doctors on consent and decision-making. The guidance: sets out the key principles of good decision-making, which apply to all decisions about care from simple treatment for minor and self-limiting conditions to major surgery; takes account of changes in the law, in particular about making decisions when patients lack capacity; reflects the shift in professional and public attitudes towards more patient-centred care; contains practical advice on sharing information and discussing treatment options; and includes guidance on how to approach discussions about risk. The guidance will come into effect on 2 June 2008 and will replace Seeking patients' consent: the ethical considerations.
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People’s attachment to place: The influence of neighbourhood deprivation (14th May 2008)An examination of the attachment people feel to their current neighbourhood, looking at the extent and nature of attachment in deprived areas. In particular, the study looks at the impacts of neighbourhood instability and social mix on attachment, and considers place attachment from a regeneration perspective, drawing on quantitative and qualitative evidence. It covers: the main drivers of neighbourhood attachment, in general and in deprived areas in particular; the extent to which neighbourhood turnover undermines attachment in deprived areas; whether attachment is lower in more ‘mixed communities’; whether attachment depends on the ’fit’ between personal and area characteristics; and the implications for regeneration policy and practice.
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Public perceptions of privacy and dignity in hospitals (13th May 2008)Cleanliness and staff attitudes are the most important factors for patients to feel they are treated with privacy and dignity in hospital, research published today by the Department of Health shows. The research, conducted by Ipsos MORI, involved 2,000 interviews with members of the public across the country. It was designed to explore perceptions towards privacy and dignity in hospitals, with particular emphasis on the importance of single-sex accommodation.
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Management of long-term sickness and incapacity: consultation on the evidence (14th May 2008)NICE was asked by the Department of Health (DH) to develop guidance on the management of long term sickness and incapacity. The aim of this consultation is to enable stakeholders to consider the evidence gathered and to provide the opportunity to comment, in particular on: major gaps in the evidence gathered, including papers in the published literature that we have not been able to identify; queries around the interpretation of the evidence, both of single studies and the reviewed material as a whole; the applicability of the evidence and its usefulness for the development of guidance; issues relating to cost-effectiveness. Closing date for comments is 12th June 2008.
Click here for the ConsultationInfluenza (prophylaxis) – amantidine, oseltamivir and zanamivir: appraisal consultation document (16th May 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 oseltamivir, amantadine 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 oseltamivir, amantadine and zanamivir. Closing date for comments is 9th June 2008.
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Transitional arrangements in National Health Service (Performers Lists) Amendment Regulations 2008 (13th May 2008)This document provides guidance on transitional provisions to introduce the General Ophthalmic Services Contract Regulations 2008 and the National Health Service (performers List) Amendment Regulations 2008.
Click here for the Document Guidance on Primary Ophthalmic Services Regulations 2008 (13th May 2008)This document provides guidance on Primary Ophthalmic Services Regulations 2008.
Click here for the DocumentGuidance for Primary Care Trusts on ophthalmic performers list management (13th May 2008)This document provides guidance and best practice advice to Primary Care Trusts on the National Health Service (Performers Lists) Amendment Regulations 2008. These regulations amend the National Health Service Performers Lists Regulations 2004 and introduce local performer lists for primary ophthalmic services.
Click here for the DocumentGuidance for Primary Care Trusts on General Ophthalmic Contracts (13th May 2008)This document provides guidance on contracts for the provision of primary ophthalmic services which are being introduced to replace the ophthalmic list system.
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Framework for Managing Choice, Cooperation and Competition (16th May 2008)This Framework supports SHAs and PCTs in understanding the roles, responsibilities, values and behaviours required for the effective management of choice and competition within the NHS. The Framework is the outcome of a series of workshops and seminars with senior SHA and PCT leaders. The Framework should be read in conjunction with the ‘Principles and Rules for Cooperation and Competition’ (Annex D of the 2008/9 Operating Framework) and the ‘PCT Procurement Guide for Health Services’ (published 16 May 2008). Additionally, the Framework signals a further series of tools and guidance for system managers to be released throughout the year.
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Finding Public Health Knowledge and Information – A Guide for the North West (May 2008)This leaflet, produced by the North West Primary Care Librarians Group, contains a list of ‘key’ public health knowledge and information resources.
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Working with Black and Minority Ethnic Communities: A guide for Stop Smoking Service Managers (16th May 2008)Smoking is the largest avoidable cause of death in England. As well as being individual tragedies, these deaths have a wider impact on the strength and cohesion of our communities. Stop Smoking Services play a key role in the overall tobacco control approach, along with measures like tackling contraband tobacco and working with young people. Like all public services, Stop Smoking services must be accessible to a diverse range of people. This document aims to support Stop Smoking Managers who are trying to make their services accessible to people from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities. This is particularly important because some BME communities have high levels of smoking, and are more likely to experience poor health.
Click here for the GuideExcellence in Tobacco Control: 10 high impact changes to achieve tobacco control (16th May 2008)This document aims to achieve a sustainable and integrated approach to tobacco control at a local level. It clearly sets out the required actions for those charged with delivering tobacco control locally, and clearly identifies to senior stakeholders the need for high-level strategic support to achieve this.
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The case for change - Why England needs a new care and support system (13th May 2008)
This document sets out the case for an open debate about the long term future of England’s care and support system. The Government wants to engage with the public and key stakeholders about how the existing system can meet the challenges of the future. The debate will run until November 2008.
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All-Party Inquiry into Antisemitism: Government Response - one year on Progress Report (12th May 2008)
In September 2006, the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Antisemitism published a comprehensive report about the sources of contemporary antisemitism. The report made 35 recommendations which set out what the Inquiry believed would improve the situation. The Government response of 29 March 2007 undertook to take action across government to respond to the report recommendations. Following the Government's response to the Inquiry report a cross-government working group was established and tasked with responding to the Inquiry recommendations. The working group also included membership from key Jewish organisations. This report sets out what the Government has achieved over the last year in tackling Hate Crime and more specifically antisemitism. The report reviews what the Government has achieved and sets out the commitment to continue to take practical, effective action to stamp out antisemitism whenever and wherever it occurs.
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Mental Health Act 2007: Report on the consultation exercises on the draft revised Code of Practice and secondary legislation (7th May 2008)
This report covers the consultation exercises conducted from 24 October 2007 to 24 January 2008 on the draft revised Code of Practice to the Mental Health Act 1983 and on the secondary legislation to be made in the light of the Mental Health Act 2007. It details the process, analyses the responses received and explains which comments were accepted and which discarded and why.
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Home Office Cannabis Potency Study (8th May 2008)
In 2006, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) reviewed the classification of cannabis (Reference 1). One of the recommendations was that a further study should be carried out to determine the market share of different types of cannabis and their potencies. This publication presents findings from research on the market share of different types of cannabis and their potencies.
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Changing for the better: Guidance when undertaking major changes to NHS Services (9th May 2008)
This best practice guidance has been developed in order to provide clear guidance for patients, the public and NHS staff on the processes underpinning changes to acute NHS services.
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When to share information: best practice guidance for everyone working in the youth justice system (12th May 2008)
This guidance has been developed as a cross-governmental initiative on behalf of Department of Health, Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Youth Justice Board and the Prison Service. The guidance is set out in a pathway approach, with best practice case studies used to identify when, what, where and how information needs to be shared to ensure improved outcomes for children and young people, as outlined in Every Child Matters: Change for Children.
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