SMOKING/TOBACCO

Forever cool: the influence of smoking imagery on young people (6th July 2008)
This report, from the BMA, calls on the UK Governments to introduce a range of tough measures aimed at reducing young people’s exposure to positive images of smoking.
Click here for the report

SOCIAL CARE

Evaluation of the new social work degree qualification in England (8th July 2008)
In 2004 DH commissioned a three-year research project to evaluate the effects of the policy change in social work education and the move from a 2 year Diploma to a 3 year honours degree as the professional qualification in social work. The work was undertaken by three teams of researchers from Glasgow School of Social Work, Sharpe Research and the Social Care Workforce Research Unit at Kings College. The core research agenda was to evaluate the impact of the new three-year social work degree on the quality and quantity of recruits to the professional social care workforce.
Click here for Volume 1 - Findings
Click here for Volume 2 - Technical Appendix

How to achieve dignity status in care homes (3rd July 2008)
Document from Manchester City Council outlining the Dignity Daisy standards.
Click here for the Document

STATISTICS

GP extended opening hours, June 2008 (8th July 2008)

Diagnostic tests waiting times and activity data: month ending 31st May 2008 (9th July 2008)
Click here for Commissioner based
Click here for Provider based

SUBSTANCE MISUSE

The 2007 user satisfaction survey of Tier 2 and 3 service users in England (June 2008)
The 2007 survey reveals some significant group differences in terms of satisfaction with drug treatment, although the vast majority of service users were generally satisfied with their drug treatment, viewed the treatment they received in positive terms and agreed that drug treatment had made a difference in their lives.
Click here for the Document

The 2007 user satisfaction survey of Tier 4 service users in England (June 2008)
The vast majority of respondents were generally satisfied with their treatment, viewed it in positive terms and agreed that it has had a positive impact on their lives.
Click her for the Document

TRANSPORT

The value of new public transport in deprived areas: who benefits, how and why? (9th July 2008)
Regeneration strategies for deprived areas are currently under review. To date there has been little if any direct evaluation of the contribution of transport services to local regeneration. This study evaluates the benefits – both monetary and quality of life – of transport services to the people who use them and to the local practitioners responsible for the wider regeneration of these neighbourhoods.
Click here for the Report
Click here for the Findings

WOMEN'S HEALTH

Standards for Gynaecology. Report of a Working Party (June 2008)
This Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist working party has worked with the professional societies to agree these standards which are applicable to gynaecological services everywhere and which they believe will facilitate development of equitable, safe and high-quality services.
Click here for the Standards

Bulletin

There won't be a New Documents Bulletin this week due to the library being moved.

The next Bulletin will be out next week and from then on it will be a fortnightly Bulletin.

ANNUAL REPORTS

The Patient Information Advisory Group (PIAG) Annual Report 2006-07 (18th June 2008)
This is the fifth annual report of this group.
Click here for Annual Report
Click here for Annexes

Annual Report on Freedom of Information in Central Government 2007 (18th June 2008)
This report looks at the operation of the Freedom of Information Act in central government in 2007, bringing together quarterly statistics and analysing longer term trends.
Click here for the Report

BULLETINS/NEWSLETTERS

Health Protection Report Vol. 2 No. 26 (27th June 2008)

CARE/CARERS

Shifting the Balance of Care to Local Settings (June 2008)
Government health policy has been encouraging a shift in the balance of care from hospital to community settings. The Department of Health commissioned The King's Fund, in partnership with Loop2, to undertake a simulation-based project entitled SeeSaw to understand how this shift in care could be achieved. This report outlines the simulation process and describes the event itself. The majority of the report, however, focuses on the learning that emerged during the event and in all the subsequent discussions on the implications for policy-makers, managers and professionals working in the NHS, in social care, and in the independent sector.
Click here for the Document

CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE

The Byron Review Action Plan (24th June 2008)
In her groundbreaking report Safer Children in a Digital World, published in March 2008, Dr Tanya Byron set out a number of recommendations to improve children's safety when they use the internet or play video games. This Action Plan sets out how Government, its partners, industry and the third sector will work together to create a safer online world.
Click here for the Action Plan

How to Involve Children and Young People with Communication Impairments in Decision Making (18th June 2008)
This guide outlines key policy and legislation, talks about barriers to youth participation and suggests how to create accessible information and make participation a reality by giving practical ideas. It also includes a number of case studies showing that show participation is possible.
Click here for Guide
Click here for Top tips poster
Click here for Other “How to” Guides

COMMISSIONING

Commissioning to make a bigger difference - a guide for NHS and social care commissioners on promoting service innovation (25th June 2008)
This publication aims to stimulate thinking and assess the extent to which a given change idea is a service innovation, using methods and tools that support a specific 5-step process framework, with a special focus on world-class commissioning, and a ‘Culture for Innovation’ section describing seven factors that organisational studies show are linked to innovative output.
Click here for Innovation Guide
Click here for Flier

World class commissioning programme - June update (30th June 2008)
Monthly progress report on the World Class Commissioning programme.
Click here for Update

COMMUNITIES

Community engagement and community cohesion (25th June 2008)
Community engagement and community cohesion are both current public policy priorities. But there have been gaps in our understanding about how to promote community representation in ways that take account of diversity and population change. This research explores: whose views were being heard and whose were not; what were the barriers to being heard and how they could be overcome; how these barriers could be addressed in ways that would promote community cohesion, rather than increasing competition within and between communities.
Click here for Report
Click here for Findings

Neighbourliness + Empowerment = Wellbeing. Is there a formula for happy communities? (June 2008)
A new report from the Local Wellbeing Project shows how neighbourhood and community empowerment can improve wellbeing. The Wellbeing Project is jointly led by: the Young Foundation; the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA); Professor Lord Richard Layard, from the London School of Economic's (LSE’s) Centre for Economic Performance (CEP). The report examines how active citizenship can contribute to wellbeing by investigating empowerment initiatives in three very different local authorities: Hertfordshire, Manchester and South Tyneside.
Click here for Report

COMMUNITY SAFETY

Engaging Communities in Fighting Crime (19th June 2008)
A major review examining how to better engage communities in the fight against crime and raise public confidence in the Criminal Justice System was published today. ‘Engaging Communities in Fighting Crime’ is the result of an in-depth, eight-month study headed by Louise Casey, former head of the Government’s Respect Task Force. The review contains more than 30 common-sense proposals to reduce crime, create safer communities and increase public confidence. The findings are strongly influenced by the views of nearly 15,000 ordinary members of the public and front-line staff, who have been canvassed by the review team since last October.
Click here for Full Report
Click here for Summary
Click here for Have Your Say Responses

CONSULTATIONS

The impact of personally initiated X-ray computed tomography scanning for the health assessment of asymptomatic individuals: Recommendations made by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) (17th June 2008)
The Committee on the Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) reported on the impact of personally initiated X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning for the health assessment of asymptomatic individuals. COMARE made nine recommendations. This consultation paper seeks comments from members of the public, interested parties and stakeholders on the recommendations made by the Committee. Closing date for comments is 9th September 2008.
Click here Consultation Paper

Click here for Impact Assessment

Click here for COMARE full report and recommendations

Consultation on a statutory scheme to control the prices of branded NHS medicines (17th June 2008)
Consultation on the Government's use of statutory powers to introduce a scheme to control the prices of branded NHS medicines from 1 September 2008 to apply to companies who do not sign up to a new voluntary scheme or in the event of failure to reach an agreement with the pharmaceutical industry. Closing date for comments is 15th July 2008 (part) and 25th September 2008.
Click here for the Consultation

Transforming the quality of dementia care: consultation on a National Dementia Strategy (19th June 2008)
The Department of Health is developing a national strategy for dementia services. This consultation draws on evidence from a wide range of reports and stakeholders, a series of listening events involving over 3,000 people and the recommendations of an External Reference Group. It invites everyone to give their views on the ideas set out in the document, as well as contribute new ideas to the debate. Closing date for comments is 11th September 2008.
Click here for Consultation document
Click here for Details of consultation events

Freedom of Information Act 2000: Code of Practice on Records Management (10th June 2008)
The National Archives has been leading a review and revision of the records management code of practice, issued in November 2002 under section 46 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The consultation is now open and closing date for comments is 2nd September 2008.
Click here for Consultation Paper
Click here for the Response Questions

A consultation on the NHS Constitution (30th June 2008)
The proposed NHS Constitution published today, marking 60 years of the NHS, is about safeguarding its core principles and values for the next generation, whilst setting a clear direction for the future. It reaffirms rights to NHS services, free of charge and with equal access for all, and it enshrines patient rights to choice and to NICE-approved drugs recommended by clinicians. It aims to empower both staff and patients, containing clear pledges on the ways in which the NHS will strive to go beyond the stated rights to improve the working environment. It has been developed from the bottom up, with the active engagement of staff, patients and the public. Closing date for comments is 17th October 2008.
Click here for Consultation Document

Click here for NHS Constitution

Click here for NHS Constitution Handbook

Click here for Quick Guide Leaflet

Click here for Your Guide to the proposed NHS Constitution

Click here for Staff Guide to the proposed NHS Constitution

Click here for Impact Assessment

Economic modelling for vascular checks (1st July 2008)
The technical consultation outlines the modelling work the Department of Health has undertaken in the last year to establish the clinical and cost effectiveness of the vascular checks programme. Closing date for comments is 12th August 2008.
Click here for Consultation
Click here for Response proforma

DENTAL

An appraisal of Brushing for Life (23rd June 2008)
Brushing for Life is a government initiative to reduce the inequalities in children’s oral health in the most disadvantaged areas of the country. The scheme started in 2001, and provides children in areas with highest levels of dental decay a free pack of fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush - supported by advice on oral hygiene. This appraisal of the Brushing for Life scheme was conducted by Professor Blinkhorn in March 2005 for the Department of Health.
Click here for the Appraisal

DIET/NUTRITION

A review of trends in portion sizes in the UK (19th June 2008)
The Food Standards Agency has published the findings of a workshop and a report, which consider how changes in portion sizes of everyday foods have affected people’s energy intake, weight gain and diet. The report concluded that the sizes of some fast foods and ready meals have increased in the UK during the past 15 years. However there is also a wider choice of portion sizes available.
Click here for Preliminary Review
Click here for Annex 3
Click here for Tables
Click here for Report of Workshop

ELDERLY/OLDER PEOPLE

Anchor 2020: Meeting the challenges of older people’s housing and care. A discussion paper. (18th June 2008)
This report published by Anchor Trust shows how demographic, social and economic changes over the next 10 to 15 years will prompt major quality innovations in older people's care services. As the 'baby boomer' generation become older, they are likely to be far more 'consumerist' in their attitudes than their parents.
Click here for the Report

EQUALITY

Research on eliminating age discrimination in social services and mental health services (26th June 2008)
The Department commissioned two literature reviews and two research studies on the costs and benefits of eliminating age discrimination in the provision of health and social care. This was to inform decisions on whether to pursue legislation to outlaw discrimination in the provision of health and social services. Reports of these reviews and studies have now been made publicly available.
Click here for the Reports

GENERAL PRACTICE

Primary Care Federations. Putting patients first. A plan for primary care in the 21st century from the Royal College of General Practitioners (26th June 2008)
Politicians and doctors should be concentrating on the day to day needs of patients instead of arguing the pros and cons of buildings and real estate in the NHS review. That is the message of the RCGP in its new publication demonstrating how GPs working in federations are the real solution to delivering improvements in patient care. Primary Care Federations – putting patients first sets out an approach to the development of primary care that builds on and preserves the strengths of general practice and shows how services can be extended to meet the new challenges ahead.
Click here for the Publication