18 March 2008

WORLD HEALTH

Global health partnerships: the UK contribution to health in developing countries – the Government response (15th March 2008)
This document is the formal Government response to Lord Crisp's report on the UK contribution to health in developing countries.
Click here for the Document

Global Tuberculosis Control 2008. Surveillance, Planning, Financing (17th March 2008)
The Global tuberculosis control 2008, released today by WHO, finds that the pace of the progress to control the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic slowed slightly in 2006, the most recent year for which data were available. The new information documents a slowdown in progress on diagnosing people with TB. Between 2001 to 2005, the average rate at which new TB cases were detected was increasing by 6% per year; but between 2005 and 2006 that rate of increase was cut in half, to 3%.
Click here for the Full Report (large file)
Click here for the Summary
Click here for the individual Chapters

WORKFORCE/WORKPLACE

High Impact Healthy Workplace Interventions: Case Studies of Good Practice (7th March 2008)
The Government’s Health, Work and Well-being Executive commissioned research on case studies of workplace good practice by PA Consulting Group in 2007. Interviews were undertaken with nine organisations that are considered to be adopting good practice for staff health and well-being. The cases demonstrated a range of health and well-being interventions and the organisational and individual benefits. There is no ‘right answer’ in terms of well-being interventions, but the report illustrated ways for organisations to find the best approach for them.
Click here for the Document

WOMEN'S HEALTH

A third or fourth degree tear following childbirth – information for you (6th March 2008)
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has produced this patient information for peer review. Closing date for comments is 4th April 2008. All comments should be sent to Lucy Arnold larnold@rcog.org.uk
Click here for the Document

Thrombosis in pregnancy and after birth – information for you (6th March 2008)

The RCOG have produced this patient information for consumer pilot. Closing date for comments is 2nd May 2008. All comments should be sent to Lucy Arnold larnold@rcog.org.uk
Click here for the Leaflet
Click here for the Questionnaire

VOLUNTEERING

Volunteering in the Public Services: Health and Social Care (10th March 2008)
This report is the first in a series examining the role of volunteers and volunteering in public services. It identifies a largely untapped source of volunteers in service users. It argues that they could make an enormous contribution as volunteers in health and social care because no one understands what it is like to have a condition like a person who has it themselves.
Click here for the Report


Government Response to the Commission on the Future of Volunteering (10th March 2008)

This document sets out the Government's response to a number of recommendations from an independent report on how the public, third and private sectors can ensure that volunteering remains in the DNA of society.
Click here for the Document

SURE START

The Sure Start Journey – A Summary of Evidence (5th March 2008)
This document is intended to help Sure Start centre leaders reach out to all families, especially the most disadvantaged, and to ensure that parents and children are offered the highest quality and most effective services.
Click here for the Document

STROKE

National Stroke Strategy easy access version (14th March 2008)
This booklet is a shorter version of the full-length National Stroke Strategy. It tells you about most of the points in the full-length Strategy but in less detail. The main chapter headings in this booklet are the same as in the full-length Strategy to make it easier to compare the 2 versions if you want to.
Click here for the Easy access version

Click here for the Full Document

STATISTICS

PUBLIC HEALTH

Children’s Public Health – A Collaborative Approach (11th March 2008)
These are the presentations from the event that was held on 11th March at the Stobart Stadium, Widnes.
Click here for the Programme

Click here for Lynn Deacon CAYPHI presentation

Click here for John Reid presentation

Click here for Jonathan Smith presentation

Click here for Lucinda Cawley presentation

Click here for Eustace de Sousa presentation

Click here for Anna Delves – fluoridation in the North West


Specialist Public Health Workforce in the UK (18th March 2008)

The number of qualified senior public health staff is falling at a time when the country is facing increasing public health challenges such as obesity, alcohol misuse and widening health inequalities, the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) has warned. The number of public health specialists now falls far short of that recommended by FPH to effectively lead and coordinate the promotion and protection of the nation's health, according to its new Specialist Public Health Workforce in the UK survey.
Click here for the Report

PRIMARY CARE TRUSTS

Local Pharmaceutical Services – guidance notes (10th March 2008)
LPS Permanence allows PCTs to enter into LPS contracts without requiring prior approval of the Secretary of State for Health and provides PCTs with flexibility to make LPS arrangements in response to local needs within timetables of their own choosing. This guidance document provides information on aspects of LPS and the commissioning process and may be of use to those PCTs that wish to use LPS.
Click here for the Guidance Notes

PATIENT AND PUBLIC INFORMATION

A guide to receiving direct payments from your local council – a route to independent living (March 2008)
This guide offers advice to people who are thinking about or who are already getting direct payments from their local council social services department. We have tried to make it as accurate and helpful as possible, but you should still check the information for yourself. This is particularly important for legal issues. The guide contains information on where you can go for extra help.
Click here for the Guide

PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

NURSING

An ageing population: Education and practice preparation for nursing students learning to work with older people. A resource pack for nursing students (6th March 2008)
This resource pack is a result of a joint project between the RCN and Age Concern England (ACE) following negative reports regarding the standards of nursing care for older people who are inpatients in acute hospitals. The resource considers the education and practice preparation of nursing students in the context of an ageing population and its aim is to promote the need for leadership, effective mentoring, best practice and positive images of nursing older people. It contains ideas and resources which can be used by nursing students, including organisation and government websites.
Click here for the Resource Pack

NICE

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (adults) – drugs: Appraisal consultation document (3rd March 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 epoprostenol, iloprost, bosentan, sitaxentan and sildenafil 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 epoprostenol, iloprost, bosentan, sitaxentan and sildenafil. Closing date for comments is 20th March 2008)
Click here for the Consultation


Pregnancy (rhesus negative women) – routine anti-D: Appraisal consultation document (7th March 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 routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis for women who are RhD negative (review of NICE technology appraisal guidance 41) and provide guidance on its 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 routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis for women who are RhD negative. Closing date for comments is 1st April 2008.
Click here for the Consultation


Respiratory tract infections guideline: consultation (11th March 2008)
A clinical practice guideline on Respiratory tract infections is being developed for use in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Registered stakeholders for the Respiratory tract infections guideline are invited to comment on the provisional recommendations via this website. Closing date for comments is 8th April 2008.
Click here for the Full guideline

Click here for the Appendices to full version

Click here for the Comments proforma


Chronic kidney disease: consultation (11th March 2008)

A clinical practice guideline on Chronic Kidney Disease is being developed for use in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Registered stakeholders for this guideline are invited to comment on the provisional recommendations via this website. Closing date for comments is 11th March 2008.
Click here for the Full guideline

Click here for the NICE guideline

Click here for the Evidence tables

Click here for the Comments proforma


Cochlear implants: 2nd appraisal consultation document (14th March 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 cochlear implants for children and adults with severe to profound deafness, 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 cochlear implants. Closing date for comments is 8th April 2008.
Click here for the Consultation


Prophylaxis against infective endocarditis – Clinical Guideline CG64 (17th March 2008)

This guidance covers the protection of patients who are at risk of infective endocarditis, specifically adults and children or who have previously had infective endocarditis. It also covers people at risk because of medical procedures.
Click here for the NICE Guidance

Click here for the Appendices

Click here for the Quick Reference Guide

Click here for Understanding NICE

NHS

Assessing design quality in LIFT primary care buildings (10th March 2008)
This briefing paper summarises the findings of CABE research into the design quality of new health buildings provided under the local improvement finance trust (LIFT) programme. The research is based on a survey of 20 primary care buildings built under the first three waves of the LIFT programme between 2002 and 2006. It highlights areas for close consideration and recommendations for improvement.
Click here for the Report
Click here for the Summary


An independent NHS: What’s in it for patients and citizens? (12th March 2008)

This report, written by David Levy for the Picker Institute, is the first analysis that has looked at the potential value of independence from the point of view of the public, rather than politicians, clinicians or NHS management. The report argues that greater independence for the NHS from the government could be of benefit to patients and citizens if a Public Value approach is applied.
Click here for the Report

MENTAL HEALTH

A review of 26 mental health homicides in London committed between January 2002 and December 2006 – A report for NHS London (13th March 2008)
As part of the process of establishing the new SHA, NHS London carried out an audit of the status of investigations into homicides committed between 2002-2006 by patients receiving mental health care. The audit identified 26 homicides committed between January 2002 and December 2006 by individuals known to mental health services where the perpetrator had been convicted of the offence but where no independent investigation had been commissioned. NHS London moved swiftly to set up an independent review. The purpose of this review is to build on the internal investigations already completed by mental health trusts by identifying common themes and issues. NHS London will use this information to improve the quality and consistency of mental health services across London.
Click here for the Report

Independent investigation of serious patient safety incidents in mental health services good practice guidance (13th March 2008)
The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) today launched guidance aimed at improving and standardising the approach to independent investigations into serious patient safety incidents in mental health services. This document describes the three main stages of the independent investigation process. It examines the initial service management review, internal NHS mental health trust investigations and Strategic Health Authority independent investigations. It also looks at how NHS organisations can support the victims of serious incidents and how to support staff.
Click here for the Guidance

Making Recovery a Reality (17th March 2008)
This paper says mental health services need to change radically to focus on recovery. They need to demonstrate success in helping service users to get their lives back and giving service users the chance to make their own decisions about how they live their lives.
Click here for the Paper

MEN'S HEALTH

The Countdown to Equality (12th March 2008)
The Prostate Cancer Charter for Action has launched the Countdown to Equality to reduce the number of men dying from prostate cancer and to improve the experience of those who develop it. The Charter's new calls are focussed in four key areas: Significantly reduce the number of men being diagnosed with prostate cancer which has already spread; Improve the cancer experience of men with prostate cancer to at least the level reported for other common cancers; Level up clinical outcomes across the country so that all NHS services match the current best; and Plan effectively to deliver world class prostate cancer services in the future.
Click here for the Document

Men's Health Forum launches new training programme (4th March 2008)
The Men's Health Forum has launched a new training programme designed to help professionals from all fields reach that so-called 'hard to reach' group, men. Courses include: Introduction to Men's Health; Men, Mental Health and Suicide; Men and Sexual Health; Working with Young Men; and Promoting Men's Health in the Workplace
Click here for the Programme

MATERNITY/MIDWIFERY

Introducing Clinical picture History Assessment Plan Sharing information(CHAPS) to handover (12th March 2008)
A tool to improve handover in maternity units at Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust.
Click here for the Tool

ARTICLE: More in hope than expectation: Women’s experience and expectations of pain relief in labour: A review (14th March 2008)
The results of this review showed that although women had ideal hopes of what they would like to happen in labour concerning pain relief, control and decision making, , expectations are often very different from the experience.
Click here for the Article

LOCAL AUTHORITY/GOVERNMENT

Audit Commission and IDeA Competition – Innovation in local public services (13th March 2008)
The Audit Commission and IDeA have built on the Commission's report in 2007, Seeing the Light, by running a competition to find and share more examples of innovation. Four winners have been selected from the 42 submissions that were received from local authorities. This document contains case studies of the winners, together with briefer descriptions of short listed initiatives.
Click here for the Document


Gypsy and Traveller Sites: Grant guidance 2008-2011 (7th March 2008)
This guidance sets out a new policy framework for increasing the levels of authorised site provision for Gypsies and Travellers, in order to significantly reduce the current levels of unauthorised camping and avoid the problems that some unauthorised sites can cause.
Click here for the Guidance

Click here for Annex D – Bid Evaluation Criteria

Click here for Annex A – Application Form & Guidance Notes

Click here for Annex B – Cost Analysis Form

Click here for Annex C – Risk Register

Improving Public Access to Better Quality Toilets: A strategic guide (6th March 2008)

This strategic guide reviews the evidence on public toilet provision and sets out ways in which local
authorities and their partners can secure improvements.
Click here for the Guide

Children's Services Scrutiny Toolkit (updated 8th March 2008)
In response to feedback from councillors involved in overview and scrutiny, we have developed a simple toolkit. The toolkit provides some reminders about the role and purpose of scrutiny. It has a particular focus on how this relates to children’s services.
What is overview and scrutiny?

Why overview and scrutiny matters

Key features of effective overview and scrutiny

Scoping children's services scrutiny reviews

Hints and tips for scrutinising children's services

Examples of scrutiny in practice

Where to find out more on overview and scrutiny

JOINT WORKING

Moving beyond sponsorship: Interactive toolkit for joint working between the NHS and the pharmaceutical industry (5th March 2008)
In February 2007, the Ministerial Industry Strategy Group published its Long-Term Leadership Strategy for medicines. To encourage joint working between the NHS and pharmaceutical industry it recommended that the Department would develop an interactive toolkit to support this. The purpose of this toolkit is to: encourage NHS organisations and staff to consider joint working as a realistic option for the delivery of high-quality healthcare; and provide the necessary information and have easy access to the tools which will help to enter into joint working.
Click here for the Toolkit

INEQUALITIES

Tackling health inequalities: 2007 Status Report on the Programme for Action (13th March 2008)
The status report provides a review of developments against the data since the publication of the Programme for Action in 2003. It considers progress against the Public Service Agreement (PSA) target, the national headline indicators and against government commitments. The report highlights the challenging nature of the health inequalities PSA target for 2010.
Click here for the 2007 Report

Click here for the 2005 Report

Click here for the 2003-05 update

Click here for Tackling health inequalities: A Programme for Action


Closing the Gap: Strategies for Action to tackle Health Inequalities in Europe. A European project from 2004 to 2007 – Final Report (13th March 2008)

‘Closing the Gap; Strategies for Action to Tackle Health Inequalities in the EU’ (2004-2007), is a project that was coordinated by EuroHealthNet and the German Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) and co-financed by the European Commission. The 21 participating agencies, who formed a ‘Partnership for Equity in Health’ assessed how health inequalities are currently being addressed in their countries, and developed Strategic Initiatives outlining further steps that can be taken to improve this situation.
Click here for Closing the Gap Report

Click here for the European Portal

Click here for Taking Action on Health Equity Report

Click here for the Closing the Gap Video

Click here for the Newsletter

Click here for the Promotional Brochure