WEIGHT

Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives – A Cross Government Strategy for England (23rd January 2008)
This cross-government strategy is the first step in a sustained programme to support people to maintain a healthy weight. It will be followed by a public annual report that assesses progress, looks at the latest evidence and trends, and makes recommendations for further action. Our ambition is to be the first major nation to reverse the rising tide of obesity and overweight in the population by ensuring that everyone is able to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Our initial focus will be on children: by 2020, we aim to reduce the proportion of overweight and obese children to 2000 levels.
Click here for the Strategy

STATISTICS

Diagnostic tests waiting times and activity data: month ending November 2007 (16th January 2008)
Click here for Commissioner based
Click here for Provider based

Men drink twice as much alcohol as women (22nd January 2008)

Citizenship Survey: April – September 2007, England and Wales (17th January 2008)
Click here for the Report
Click here for the Tables

Life expectancy gap at State Pension Age set to narrow (17th January 2008)

British Social Attitudes 24th Report – Summary (23rd January 2008)

Wasting Lives – A statistical analysis of NHS performance in a European context since 1981 (January 2008)

SOCIAL CARE

LAC(DH)(2008)1: Transforming social care (17th January 2008)
This Local Authority Circular sets out information to support the transformation of social care as signalled in the Department of Health's social care Green Paper, 'Independence, well-being and choice' (2005) and reinforced in the White Paper, 'Our health, our care, our say: a new direction for community services' in 2006. It describes the vision for development of a personalised approach to the delivery of adult social care and context in which this policy is grounded. It also includes copy of the Social Care Reform Grant Determination and the details of the new ring-fenced grant to help councils to redesign and reshape their systems over the next 3 years.
Click here for the Circular

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Transforming health research: the first two years – National Institute for Health Research progress report 2006-2008 (17th January 2008)
The report describes the progress made by the National Institute for Health Research in implementing the Government's Best Research for Best Health research strategy.
Click here for the Report

PUBLIC SERVICES

Making it Personal (18th January 2008)
Demos has produced a report which advocates a simple yet transformational approach to public services - self-directed services - which allocates people budgets so they can shape, with the advice of professionals and peers, the support they need. Self-directed services, it is argued, will enable people to create solutions that work for them and as a result deliver better value for money for the taxpayer. Such an approach could also empower those least confident.
Click here for the Report

PUBLIC HEALTH

Sustaining a Healthy Future – Taking action on climate change (22nd January 2008)
The health and healthcare community must use its vast influence to help avert the catastrophic effects of climate change, according to a new guide published by the Faculty of Public Health. This publication focuses on the health impact of climate change and the critical role of the NHS and wider health and healthcare community in creating a healthier, more sustainable, low-carbon future.
Click here for Sustaining a Healthy Future
Click here for Joint statement

PRIMARY CARE TRUSTS

Primary Care Roadmap (18th January 2008)
NHS Connecting for Health and the strategic health authorities have just made available a primary care roadmap. This document gives an overview of the primary care elements of the National Programme for IT (NPfIT) which will impact upon PCTs over the next 12-18 months. It is only available via the NHS web.
Click here for the Roadmap

POVERTY

Is poverty in the UK a denial of people's human rights? (January 2008)
Being poor in the United Kingdom can mean being subjected to discrimination on the grounds of poverty. Both poverty and discrimination are contrary to the spirit and the terms of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Damian Killeen argues that the refusal of successive governments to incorporate the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights into UK law has compounded common social attitudes that denigrate people who experience poverty and that undermine popular support for policies to eradicate poverty.
Click here for the Document

PHARMACY

A Pharmacists brief guide to General Medical Practices (January 2008)
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has launched a new publication, 'A pharmacist’s brief guide to General Medical Practices.' The guide is designed to give community pharmacists a flavour of how a GP practice works and how best to collaborate and develop relationships with GP practices.
Click here for the Guide

PATIENT AND PUBLIC INFORMATION

Medicines Management: Everybody’s Business (18th January 2008)
The leaflet aims to empower service users and carers to ask relevant questions about medication and have their views taken into account, and to help health and social care practitioners improve their person-centred approach in the area of medicines management.
Click here for the leaflet

The RCGP and Lord Darzi’s review of the NHS (January 2008)
The first in an occasional series of patient information leaflets produced by the Royal College of General Practitioners on important issues affecting general practice.
Click here for the leaflet

PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee – The Work of the Committee in 2007 – Third Report of Session 2007-08 (23rd January 2008)

Committee of Public Accounts – Department of Health: Prescribing costs in primary care – Second Report of Session 2007-08 (17th January 2008)

NICE

Arteriovenous extracorporeal membrane carbon dioxide removal – Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG250 (23rd January 2008)
Arteriovenous extracorporeal membrane carbon dioxide removal (AV ECCO2R) is used to treat respiratory failure (in which the lungs do not work effectively) in critically ill patients. The aim is to remove excess carbon dioxide from the blood. The patient will still need to receive oxygen by mechanical ventilation. Blood is drawn from one of the patient's arteries and passed through a synthetic membrane, where carbon dioxide is removed, and the blood is then returned to a vein.
Click here for the Full Guidance
Click here for the Understanding NICE Guidance
Click here for Audit Criteria
Click here for Consultation Comments

Mesothelioma – pemetrexed disodium – Technology Appraisal TA135 (23rd January 2008)
Pemetrexed is recommended as a possible treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma in people: with advanced disease; whose cancer is not suitable for surgical resection (removal) and who have a World Health Organization (WHO) performance status of 0 (able to carry out all normal activity without restriction) or 1 (restricted in strenuous activity but able to move around and carry out light work). Healthcare professionals should not stop prescribing pemetrexed for people who were already taking it when the guidance was issued. These patients should be able to carry on taking pemetrexed until they and their specialist decide that it is the right time to stop treatment.
Click here for the Guidance
Click here for the Quick Reference Guide
Click here for the Understanding NICE Guidance

Guidance on the promotion and creation of physical environments that support increased levels of physical activity – Public Health Programme Guidance PH008 (23rd January 2008)
This guidance offers the first national, evidence-based recommendations on how to improve the physical environment to encourage physical activity. It demonstrates the importance of such improvements and the need to evaluate how they impact on the public's health.
Click here for the Guidance
Click here for the Quick Reference Guide (for professionals)
Click here for the Quick Reference Guide (for public)
Click here for the Costing Report

Psoriasis – infliximab – Technology Appraisal TA134 (23rd January 2008)
This guidance explains when infliximab should be used to treat adults with plaque psoriasis in the NHS in England and Wales.
Click here for the Guidance
Click here for the Quick Reference Guide (for professionals)
Click here for the Understanding NICE Guidance (for public)
Click here for the Audit Criteria
Click here for the Costing Template

Ultrasound-guided catheterisation of the epidural space – Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG249 (23rd January 2008)
The epidural space is surrounding the spinal cord, inside the spinal column. Epidural space catheterisation through the middle or lower back is usually performed as part of anaesthetic techniques, in order to inject analgesic drugs. A needle is inserted into the interspinous ligament and advanced very slowly until there is no longer any resistance to the injection of air or saline, indicating that the tip of the needle is in the epidural space. However, there are at times technical difficulties in achieving this. Ultrasound imaging may be used to help identify the epidural space.
Click here for the Full Guidance
Understanding NICE Guidance

Consultee Comments

Metastatic malignant disease of unknown primary origin: scope consultation (21st January 2008)
NICE have been asked to develop a clinical practice guideline on Metastatic malignant disease of unknown primary origin for use in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The draft scope defines what aspects of care the guideline will cover and to whom it will apply. Registered stakeholders for the Metastatic malignant disease of unknown primary origin guideline are invited to submit comments on the scope and may suggest clinical questions that could be answered in the guideline. Closing date for comments is 18th February 2008).
Click here for Draft Scope
Click here for Comments Proforma

Hypertension in pregnancy: scope consultation (23rd January 2008)
NICE have been asked to develop a clinical practice guideline on hypertension in pregnancy for use in the NHS in England and Wales. The draft scope defines what aspects of care the guideline will cover and to whom it will apply. Registered stakeholders for this guideline are invited to submit comments on the scope and may suggest clinical questions that could be answered in the guideline. Closing date for comments is 19th February 2008.
Click here for Draft Scope
Click here for Draft Scope Appendix
Comments Proforma

NHS

Governing the NHS – Alternatives to an independent Board (17th January 2008)
An independent NHS board has been advocated by a number of commentators, who believe it will reduce both micromanagement and day-to-day political interference in the running of the health service. This paper argues that an independent board would be limited in its ability to achieve these aims. It suggests a number of alternative options to an independent board that build on the increasing operational independence the recent reforms have offered. These options would help secure a better balance between public accountability and local autonomy within a more devolved health care system.
Click here for the Paper

Orthopaedics Measurement Scenarios (updated 22nd January 2008)
The British Orthopaedic Directors Society developed a series of practical examples for 18 weeks which helped to identify the 18 week clock starts and stops. These have now been updated in line with the refreshed rules and definitions.
Click here for the Scenarios

A Dialogue of Equals – The Pacesetters programme Community Engagement Guide (23rd January 2008)
The guide has been written to support NHS organisations participating on the Pacesetters programme to better engage with seldom-heard communities and groups.
Click here for the Guide

LOCAL AUTHORITIES/GOVERNMENT

For better, for worse (17th January 2008)
This report looks at partnerships lasting 10 or 15 years designed to deliver services such as council tax collection, IT and property management. It examines why many Strategic service-delivery partnerships (SSPs) have not yet generated all the expected benefits of partnerships with the private sector, such as greater flexibility, economies of scale, innovation and risk and profit sharing.
Click here for the Summary

Click here for the Report
Click here for the Framework
Click here for the Procuring through partnerships research report
Strategic Partnership webpages on Audit Commission

Positively charged (22nd January 2008)
This report presents the findings from research into councils' use of their powers to charge for services. It will be of particular interest to councillors, in both their executive decision-making and scrutiny roles, and to finance and service managers with responsibility for the implementation of councils' approaches to charging.
Click here for the Summary
Click here for the Report
Click here for the Technical appendices

HOUSING

Research into the financial benefits of the Supporting People programme (16th January 2008)
Study to assess the financial benefits of the Supporting People programme, which provides strategically planned housing related services to vulnerable people. The purpose of the study is to inform discussions with Treasury in the run up to the Comprehensive Spending Review. Notably, the study holds that investment in packages of support that include housing support services avoids costs elsewhere, and therefore produces a net financial benefit in the region of GBP 2.77 billion per annum for the client groups considered.

Click here for the Report

GUIDANCE/GUIDELINES

HTM 05-03: Part J – Fire engineering in healthcare premises (22nd January 2008)
This is a new document providing guidance and a basic understanding of fire engineering principles for healthcare premises.
Click here for the Guidance

GENERAL PRACTICE

Practice Based Commissioning GP practice survey (18th January 2008)
This is the second quarterly practice survey, covering a sample of practices from each primary care trust (PCT). The aims of the survey are to get feedback from practices on their perception of the support offered by their PCT and on the clinical and financial engagement of practices with PBC. The survey is part of a group of indicators that will be assessed together to give a picture of PBC implementation.
Click here for Summary of Results
Click here for Detailed Survey Results
Click here for Response from the North West SHA to the survey findings

EQUALITIES

The drivers of Black and Asian people's perceptions of racial discrimination by public services – A qualitative study (17th January 2008)
Report sets out the psychosocial and service-specific drivers that contribute to Black and Asian people's perceptions of discrimination or fairness in eight key public services. Following this qualitative analysis, the report makes key recommendations relevant to each public service under three broad categories: structural mechanisms, frontline service delivery and communications.
Click here for the Report

EDUCATION/SCHOOLS

National School Survey Results 2007 (England) (18th January 2008)
The Audit Commission's School Survey captures schools' perceptions of their council's services and the services provided locally for children and young people. The school survey is completed by the headteacher who is encouraged to consult other staff and governors. The survey offers schools the opportunity to influence the work of their council and its partners as well as the opportunity to feed into the inspection of their council. The detailed results of the survey are used by councils in order to assess and improve their services.

Click here for the Survey Results

DIET/NUTRITION

Food Competencies Framework (January 2008)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published a framework of core skills and knowledge for children and young people, which sets out the essential building blocks in relation to healthy eating, cooking and food safety. The Food Competences Framework, as it is known, is intended to help schools and community-based organisations provide children and young people with the foundation to make healthy food choices now and into adulthood.

Click here for the Framework

CONSULTATIONS

Taking Forward the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property – Proposed changes to Copyright Exceptions (8th January 2008)
In December 2006, Andrew Gowers reported his findings on the UK’s Intellectual Property regime. While he concluded that the system was broadly satisfactory he identified a number of areas where improvements could be made. These included modifying copyright rules to improve access to, and use of, copyright material for private individuals, students and libraries. Closing date for comments is 8th April 2008.
Click here for the Consultation

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) consultation on NHS unsocial hours payments (18th January 2008)
The Royal College of Nursing has today launched a consultation on a final set of proposals on unsocial hours payments for NHS staff covered by Agenda for Change. Under the new proposals, which are out for consultation until Monday 18 February, all staff in the same band will for the first time be paid the same rate for working unsocial hours.
Click here for the for Consultation

COMMUNITIES

The Power of Belonging: Identity, citizenship and community cohesion (17th January 2008)
A ‘new identity politics’ has emerged in Britain over the last decade or so. It has evolved from within Britain’s liberal and social democratic traditions and maintains that we need to do more as a society to foster a common sense of belonging and shared civic identities. Shared identities are thought to contribute to a number of progressive goals, such as fostering communities in which people from different backgrounds get along well together, encouraging citizens to participate actively in public life and generating wider support for a more egalitarian distribution of wealth and income. In this short report the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) set out to test the claims of those who support this new agenda and interrogate its potential for furthering liberal and social democratic goals. The report also sets out a number of recommendations for how national and local government can act to promote a common sense of belonging.
Click here for the Executive Summary

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

How well are they doing? The impact of children's centres and extended schools (23rd January 2008)
This report evaluates the impact of services provided by extended schools and Sure Start children's centres on children and young people from birth to 19 and on their families. It follows an earlier evaluation of the national roll-out of extended services.
Click here for the Report

CANCER

The effects of cancer treatment on reproductive functions – Guidance on management (Published November 2007 – new to website January 2008)
This guidance, which is a collaboration between the Royal Colleges' of Physicians, Radiologists and Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, is essential reading for clinicians and clinical service managers involved in cancer care. Commissioners of NHS services and funders of future research in this field will also find it valuable.
Click here for the Guidance

Let’s Beat Cancer Together – A cancer early detection and prevention strategy for Cheshire and Merseyside (16th January 2008)
This event, organised by Cheshire and Merseyside Public Health Network (ChaMPs), was held on 16th January 2008. These are the presentations from the event.
Click here for Going Further on Cancer Waits – Prof Mike Richards

Click here for The Cancer Challenge in the Northwest of England – Pat Higgins

Click here for Developing a Cheshire and Merseyside Strategy – Dr Daniel Seddon and Paul MacKenzie

Click here for Risk-taking behaviour and cancer prevention in sexual health – Prof Mark Bellis

Click here for Cancer Prevention Research Network – Andrew Renehan

Click here for Reducing Health Inequalities through Improved Early Detection and Prevention of Cancer: A Strategy for 2008 to 2010

BULLETINS/NEWSLETTERS

AHP Bulletin, Issue 62, January 2008 (16th January 2008)

Medical Directors Bulletin, Issue 77, January 2008 (17th January 2008)

Health Protection Report Vol. 2 No. 3 (18th January 2008)

CSIP Telecare eNewsletter – January 2008 Events Special (17th January 2008)

ANNUAL REPORTS

Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards (ACCEA) annual report (covering the 2007 awards round) 2008 (21st January 2008)
This annual report covers the 2007 Clinical Excellence Awards round. It reports on the work of the Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards and analyses the distribution of awards. It also sets out work that is in hand further develop and refine the scheme and report on the key activities during the year.
Click here for the ACCEA Annual Report: covering the 2007 awards round

Click here for Annex A: ACCEA member

Click here for Annex B: ACCEA subcommittee members

Click here for Annex C: ACCEA secretariat