Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA): 18 weeks referral to treatment standard (13th November 2009)This Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) provides an assessment of the impact of the 18 weeks referral to treatment standard on the six key equality dimensions of ethnicity, disability, gender, age, sexual orientation and religion or belief.
Impact Assessment
Taking a closer look: Child Poverty and Disability (20th November 2009)A new report from Save the Children and The Family Fund reveals that 27% of disabled children across the UK are living in poverty.
The report shows the number of disabled children living in poverty is higher than previous figures have suggested.
Report
Green-top Guideline No. 37. Reducing the risk of thrombosis and embolism during pregnancy and the puerperium (18th November 2009)The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have published the second edition of this guideline, which was originally published in 2004 under the title Thromboprophylaxis During Pregnancy, Labour and after Vaginal Delivery.
Guideline
Joint statement on key legal and ethical obligations for the medicines' supply chain (13th November 2009)The guidance sets out the key legal and ethical obligations that manufacturers, wholesalers, NHS Trusts, registered pharmacies and dispensing doctors have in the supply and trading of medicines. Recent increases in the export of medicines are a major contributor to supply problems and risk jeopardising patient care. It was developed jointly with ten organisations including the Department of Health representing the different parts of the supply chain.
Guidance
EVENT: Service line reporting and management in mental health (4th November 2009)The presentations from this event that was held at the Congress Centre, London for mental health foundation trusts are now available to download from the Audit Commission.
Presentations Report on the prescribing of anti-psychotic drugs to people with dementia (12th November 2009)In recognition of widespread concern about the over-prescription of anti-psychotic drugs, and as part of the priority being given to improving care for people with dementia, Professor Sube Banerjee was asked to undertake an independent clinical review of the use of anti-psychotic drugs. Professor Banerjee has completed his review and the Government has issued its response to his findings.
Report Counting the Cost: caring for people with dementia on hospital wards (17th November 2009)This new report from Alzheimer's Society's reveals unacceptable variations in the quality of care for people with dementia in hospital.
It reveals people with dementia often spend longer in hospital than other people without the condition receiving the same treatment and nursing staff are ill-equipped to provide the specialist dementia care that they need.
Report The Chance of a Lifetime - Preventing early conduct problems and reducing crime (23rd November 2009)The most common childhood mental health difficulties are conduct problems. A very high proportion of those who have the most serious conduct problems during childhood will go on to become involved in criminal activity. Overall, we estimate that around 80% of all criminal activity is attributable to people who had conduct problems in childhood and adolescence.
This paper examines the links between early conduct problems and subsequent offending. It makes the case for greatly increased investment in evidence-based programmes to reduce the prevalence and severity of conduct problems in childhood. It shows that, in addition to improvements in the quality of life for many individuals and their families, the potential long-term benefits to society as a whole are enormous, particularly in terms of crime prevention.
Paper Getting to a good place: partnership working for mental health patients (16th November 2009)This Briefing explores how ambulance services and mental health services can work together to provide the best care for patients with mental health problems.
It sets out the key findings from a joint Ambulance Service Network and Mental Health Network project that looked at the challenges and opportunities for partnership working, including developing alternative care pathways for patients with mental health problems, improving training on mental heath issues for frontline ambulance staff,and encouraging the sharing of information.
Please note that you will need to register with the NHS Confederation website to access this.
Briefing Mental health and the economic downturn (12th November 2009)In September 2009 a one-day meeting on mental health and the economic downturn was held in London. The meeting was convened by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Mental Health Network, the NHS Confederation and the London School of Economics and Political Science. The meeting explored the impact the downturn was having on mental health as well as where some of the solutions may lie for those working at a local and national level in service provision and policy.
This briefing builds on the outcomes of that meeting. It outlines the challenges facing the sector and sets out how policy makers, organisational leaders and health and social care professionals should respond.
Briefing
Real accountability: guidance on the NHS duty to report on consultation (13th November 2009)New legislation will come into force in April 2010. The NHS duty to report on consultations will require all PCTs and SHAs that commission services to explain how they have acted upon feedback from patients and the public. ‘Real Accountability’ aims to help the NHS get ready for the legislation. The guidance explains the legal obligations and provides practical help and advice in terms of preparing and publishing reports.
Guidance
Interventional Procedures Guideline IPG319. Percutaneous intradiscal electrothermal therapy for low back pain (23rd November 2009)The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has reviewed this guidance, after consultation, which was originally issued in August 2004. The guidance has now been updated and published along with the consultation comments and audit support.
GuidanceInterventional Procedures Guideline IPG318. Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with airway valves for advanced emphysema (23rd November 2009)Emphysema is a disease of the lungs in which the walls of the air sacs become weak and disintegrate, leaving behind abnormally large air spaces that stay filled with air even when the person breathes out. The lungs also become less able to get enough oxygen into the blood, so the person can feel tired and breathless.
The aim of lung volume reduction surgery is to limit airflow to the part of the lung that's working least well, so that the effort of breathing can be concentrated on the part of the lung that's working better. The procedure is undertaken via a small flexible camera inserted down the wind pipe and placing small, one-way valves in the airways. A typical procedure involves placing 3-4 valves.
GuidanceInterventional Procedures Guidance IPG320. Photochemical corneal collagen cross-linkage using riboflavin and ultraviolet A for keratoconus (25th November 2009)Keratoconus is a degenerative condition that usually involves both eyes. It affects the shape of the eyeball and causes blurred vision and light sensitivity. Wearing spectacles or contact lenses can help some people who have this condition. Photochemical corneal collagen cross-linkage is an outpatient procedure. First a local anaesthetic is given in the form of eye drops. Then riboflavin (vitamin B2) drops are applied to the eye, and it is exposed to ultraviolet light. This procedure aims to stabilise the outer coating of the eyeball, called the cornea, with the intention of preventing further changes to its shape.
Guidance
Interventional Procedures Guidance IPG321. Lateral (including extreme, extra and direct lateral) interbody fusion in the lumbar spine (25th November 2009)As a person gets older, the discs between the back bones that provide support can deteriorate because of wear and tear. Sometimes this causes such severe pain and disability that surgery is considered.
Lateral interbody spinal fusion involves the removal of all, or part, of the damaged disc and the insertion of a supportive structure, together with a fragment of bone from the hip. It aims to join the two back bones together to prevent movement of the painful joint. The procedure is done through a cut in the patient’s side.
Guidance Technology Appraisal TA184. Lung cancer (small-cell) - topotecan (25th November 2009)Oral topotecan is recommended as a possible treatment for people with relapsed small-cell lung cancer if:
- re-treatment with the previous treatment is not considered appropriate and
- there is a medical reason why they cannot take the combination of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and vincristine (CAV)
Intravenous topotecan is not recommended for people with relapsed small-cell lung cancer.
Guidance
Legal issues relevant to non-heartbeating organ donation (20th November 2009)The Department of Health's view of the legal position in relation to the action that can be lawfully taken prior to death to support non-heartbeating donation, produced in response to Recommendation 3 of the Organ Donation Taskforce Report which states that 'urgent attention is required to resolve outstanding legal, ethical and professional issues in order to ensure that all clinicians are supported and are able to work within a clear and unambiguous framework of good practice.' The intention is that those working in this area will be able to use it to draw up more detailed guidance to support clinical practice. This guidance is only applicable in England and Wales.
Guidance
Exercise peak practice: national summary (23rd November 2009)This report of Exercise Peak Practice is a national summary providing an overview of the ten regional exercises, and documents the high-level areas for further action identified by the delegates who attended. Nationally, Exercise Peak Practice reaffirmed the extent and depth of planning that had already taken place in the NHS in readiness for an influenza pandemic and demonstrated considerable leadership, commitment and planning undertaken by both clinical and managerial staff across the NHS.
Report Swine Influenza: Guidance on vaccination programme payment, data collection and communications (11th November 2009)This is a letter from National Director for Social Care Flu Resilience Roy Taylor to all directors of adult social services. It contains important information for social care workers on the vaccination programme payment, data collection and a communications toolkit.
Information Extending the H1N1 swine flu vaccination programme 2009/10 (19th November 2009)This letter provides information on the extension of the H1N1 swine flu vaccination programme, which will be extended to offer the vaccine to all children over six months of age and under 5 years old.
Information A (H1N1) Swine influenza: Phase Two of the vaccination programme - letter from Roy Taylor (19th November 2009)Letter to update on extending the swine flu vaccination programme.
Information A (H1N1) swine influenza: Phase Two of the vaccination programme - letter from Ian Dalton (19th November 2009)Update on extending the swine flu vaccination programme beyond the initial priority groups.
Information
Dosage of oseltamivir in children under 6 months of age in the swine flu pandemic (19th November 2009)This letter provides information about changes to the dose of oseltamivir in children under 6 months of age during an influenza pandemic outbreak and the steps that need to be taken to ensure a safe transition to the new dosage.
InformationSwine flu H1N1: Update on guidance for preparing maternity services toolkit (20th November 2009)Information and links to other guidance and advice relevant for all services to pregnant women and care for new mothers to enable the continuity of services during this H1N1 pandemic.
Guidance Authorisation of antiviral medicines - guidance on the use of FP10SS forms and Antiviral Authorisation Vouchers during H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic in England (20th November 2009)The guidance has been updated to inform the NHS about the new Antiviral Authorisation Vouchers for children under 1 year of age issued in November 2009.
Guidance The swine flu vaccination programme: prisoners in the clinical risk groups - 2009-2010 (20th November 2009)This letter provides information for prison health care teams, to assist them in delivering the swine flu (influenza A (H1N1v) 2009) vaccine to those prisoners in the clinical priority groups.
Information Swine flu vaccine deliveries and distribution - frequently asked questions (19th November 2009)A document that has been developed to answer frequently asked questions (FAQ) relating to the supply of swine flu vaccine and the ordering of further stocks via the ImmForm website
FAQ Swine flu vaccination: social care communications toolkit (12th November 2009)It is important that all organisations ensure that their staff have a sound understanding of the rationale behind staff vaccination, so that they can make an informed decision about having it. To help local communications teams inform and encourage frontline staff vaccination, the Department of Health has produced a range of communication products, for both adult and children’s social services, to support staff engagement.
Toolkit
Being open: communicating patient safety incidents with patients, their families and carers (19th November 2009)In 2005, the National Reporting and Learning Service (NRLS) issued guidance on communicating effectively with patients when things go wrong. Following changes to the NHS since the launch, the NRLS has reviewed the guidance and developed a new Being open framework.
The new framework is a best practice guide for all healthcare staff, including boards, clinicians and PALS. It explains the principles behind Being open and outlines how to communicate with patients, their families and carers following harm.
Framework
For those who served: Meeting the healthcare needs of veterans in England (13th November 2009)This leaflet has been produced by the Department of Health in partnership with the Royal British Legion. It is aimed at military veterans and provides information on accessing priority treatment (subject to clinical need). It also signposts where additional help can be provided in relation to mental health issues.
Leaflet Swine flu and pregnancy: How to protect yourself and your baby (11th November 2009)This leaflet gives information about:
- the swine flu vaccination that you can have during pregnancy to help protect you and your baby
- precautions you can take to reduce your risk of infection
- treatments that are available if you do become ill.
Leaflet
Guidance for providers: How the Standards for Better Health link to the new registration regulations (13th November 2009)The aim of this guide is to help NHS trusts, including Primary Care Trust (PCT) providers, to begin to consider the new registration regulations which come into force on 1 April 2010.
Please note that you will need to register with NHS Confederation website to access this.
Guide
EVENT: Working with partners to fight Gastrointestinal infection in Children and Merseyside (11th November 2009)The presentations from the above event that was held at the Stobart Stadium, Widnes are now available for download.
Programme
Presentations Population forecasting models updated (18th November 2009)Projecting Older People Population Information System (POPPI) and Projecting Adult Needs and Service Information (PANSI) have been updated and new pages for household growth, hearing impairment and diabetes have been added.
Information
Review of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (12th November 2009)In December 2008, the Department of Health asked Dr Ruth Hussey, Regional Director of Public Health in the North West, to review the impact of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme and whether the programme is achieving its aims. Dr Hussey's report makes comments on the current programme arrangements, support and drive for delivery. The report is for information so that the NHS can benefit from awareness of the recommendations. We will take forward the recommendations in conjunction with the Public Accounts Committee recommendations that will be published early next year.
Report Young People's sexual health: the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (12th November 2009)The delivery of the Government’s programme to control chlamydia infection in young people to date has not demonstrated value for money, a report by the National Audit Office found today. The Department of Health implemented the Programme in three phases. In 2008-09, six years after the Programme’s launch, testing levels were only just beginning to reach the point where they are likely to significantly reduce the prevalence of chlamydia. The devolved delivery, through Primary Care Trusts, has resulted in duplication and inefficiency.
Report
SocCon (Social Care Condition) reporting guidance for social care: assessing service pressures in a pandemic(13th November 2009)This guidance outlines the need and process for social care services to report a pressures report (named Social care Condition, i.e., SocCon) to the Cabinet Office during the course of the pandemic. This reporting process is also intended to provide a legacy system for monitoring and reporting service capacity issues from social care services in any emergency - not just a pandemic.
Guidance and covering letter
Stroke vital sign: Frequently asked questions (FAQ) (17th November 2009)A number of different clinical and pathway scenarios, and individual points of clarity have now been addressed to aid in the interpretation of the vital signs monitoring return guidance. However, several guiding principles have also been established based on the feedback that has been given to date:
- The FAQ does not deal with clinical issues (e.g. what is the definition of a stroke unit? or what blood tests should patients be given?) Those questions are addressed in the relevant guidance such as the RCP's National Clinical Guideline for Stroke (third edition) and The National Stroke Strategy.
- A revised version of the full Vital Signs Monitoring Return guidance for stroke has been published and is available on the Unify2 web-site. If you are in doubt about whether you are using the latest version, please download it again. Among other changes, the revised version contains more detailed information about TIA clinics.
- This guidance, like The Stroke Strategy itself, applies and refers to adult patients only.
FAQ
Future health: sustainable places for health and well-being (17th November 2009)Drawing on examples and research, Future health shows how good planning can have a positive impact on public health, how health trusts can cut carbon and costs by co-locating services, and how designers can influence people's well-being.
Summary
NHS Health and well-being review (23rd November 2009)The Department of Health commissioned an independent review of the health and well-being of NHS staff in November 2008. This review gathered and analysed evidence relating to health and well-being across the service, to provide the Department with a better understanding of health and well-being in the NHS, and its links to productivity, efficiency, and patient experience. Dr Steve Boorman, who led this review, published an interim report in August 2009, and has now produced a final report of his findings.
Report The contribution of medical students to services in pandemic flu (11th November 2009)Medical students and doctors in training may need to take a more active part in delivering services at a time of national emergency, in order to maintain safe services for patients. This paper provides national guidance about the contribution of medical students (in this case UK wide) but with scope for local interpretation - 'consistent flexibility'.
Guidance The role of healthcare students (England) in pandemic flu - excluding medical students (11th November 2009)Healthcare students can make a helpful contribution to the service during pandemic flu. This guidance covers the potential deployment of nursing, midwifery and other healthcare students.
Guidance
