TRANSPORT

Public Attitudes Towards Climate Change and the Impact of Transport (23rd January 2008)

This report summarises people's attitudes to climate change in relation to transport. The report covers issues including knowledge of, and concern about, the environment and climate change and support for a range of policy options to reduce transport emissions.

Click here for the Report

Click here for the Annex A
Click here for the Annex B

Click here for the Annex C

Public Experiences of Car Sharing (24th January 2008)

This report examines the extent of car sharing in Great Britain, and how this varies across different socio-demographic groups. It also examines the reasons why people car share and the nature of car sharing trips. Both informal and formal car sharing arrangements are included.

Click here for the Report

Click here Annex B

Click here for the Tables

STATISTICS

Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to September 2007 (25th January 2008)

Attribution data set of GP registered populations – 2007 (24th January 2008)

Click here for the GP Registered Populations

Click here for the Technical Note

Statistics on NHS Stop Smoking Services in England, April to September 2007 (Q2) (29th January 2008)

Click here for the Report

Click here for the Tables

Click here for Quick Access for SHA's and PCTs

Mandatory surveillance of MSRA bacteraemia and clostridium difficile – September 2007 (30th January 2008)

NHS Staff Earnings July-September 2007 (30th January 2008)
Click here for the Bulletin

Click here for the Tables

Click here for the Methodology

SOCIAL CARE

State of Social Care in England 2006-07 (29th January 2008)
People not receiving support from Councils are struggling with a poor quality of life, so says the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) third annual report to Parliament on the state of social care.
Click here for the Summary

Click here for the Report – Foreword and Overview
Click here for the Report – Context and Focus
Click here for the Report – Part 1
Click here for the Report – Part 2
Click here for the Report – Appendices

Self- funded social care for older people: an analysis of eligibility, variations and future profections (29th January 2008)
The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) commissioned this study to look at the financial issues around the self-funding of social care and the impact of councils raising the threshold for access to social care services. The core findings are presented as part of the "State of Social Care in England 2006-07" report, however the full details cannot be adequately presented within the limited space and so the full report of the study has been published.
Click here for the Study

Lost to the System? The Impact of Fair Access to Care (29th January 2008)
The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) commissioned this study to address issues arising from the trend for all councils to raise the threshold for access to social care services. The core findings are presented as part of the "State of Social Care in England 2006-07" report, however the full details cannot be adequately presented within the limited space and so the full report of the study has been published.

Click here for the Study

SKILLS/TRANING

Ready to Work, Skilled for Work: Unlocking Britain's Talent and World-class Apprenticeships: Unlocking Talent, Building Skills for All (28th January 2008)
The Government today published Ready to work, skilled for work: unlocking Britain's talent and Apprenticeships: Unlocking Talent, Building Skills for All. The Government's Strategy for the Future of Apprenticeships in England. These publications describe how Government and employers can work together to unlock Britain's talent and help build a work force that has the world class skills it needs in an increasingly challenging global economy.
Click here for Unlocking Britain's Talent

Click here for Unlocking Talent, Building Skills for All
Click here for the Leaflet

PUBLIC HEALTH

Technical Briefing 2: Statistical Process Control methods in public health intelligence (1st January 2008)
Second in the series of technical briefings, designed to support public health practitioners and analysts and to promote the use of public health intelligence in decision making.
Click here for the Technical Briefing

PATIENT SAFETY

Risks of incorrect dosing of oral anti-cancer medicines (23rd January 2008)
The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) is alerting all healthcare staff involved in the use of oral anti-cancer medicines of potentially fatal outcomes if incorrect doses of these medicines are used. These oral anti-cancer medicines are increasingly being used in hospitals and in the community. Risks are increased if non-specialist practitioners prescribe, dispense or administer these oral medicines and bypass the normal safeguards used for injectable anti-cancer medicines.
Click here for the Rapid Response Report
Click here for Additional Information

PATIENT AND PUBLIC INFORMATION

Social Care – Choosing the right service for you 2008 edition (25th January 2008)
The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) updated advice booklet encourages people to ask the right questions, find out as much as possible about their options and then make informed choices about their care.
Click here for the Booklet

Pandemic Flu Guidance for…(30th January 2008)
Everyone will be involved in the fight against pandemic influenza (flu) in terms of managing the impact it will have on society and preventing further spread of the infection. The Department of Health has issued guidance for various professional groups on how to protect themselves, their colleagues and their families and prevent the spread of flu.
Click here for the Guidance for Funeral Directors

Click here for the Guidance for Cleaning Staff and Refuse Collectors in non-health care settings

Click here for Guidance for the Fire and Rescue Service

Click here for the Hospitality Industry

Click here for the Police Service

PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Communities and Local Government Committee – Work of the Committee in 2007 – Fourth Report of Session 2007-08 (25th January 2008)

Home Affairs Committee – Work of the Committee in 2007 – Fourth Report of Session 2007-08 (24th January 2008)

Committee of Public Accounts – Improving Services and Support for People with Dementia – Sixth Report of Session 2007-08 (24th January 2008)

NICE

Idiopathic Childhood Constipation (30th January 2008)
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (‘NICE’ or ‘the Institute’) has commissioned the National Collaborating Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health to develop a clinical guideline on management of constipation in children for use in the NHS in England and Wales. This follows referral of the topic by the Department of Health. The guideline will provide recommendations for good practice that are based on the best available evidence of clinical and cost effectiveness. This document is the scope. It defines exactly what this guideline will (and will not) examine, and what the guideline developers will consider. The scope is based on the referral from the Department of Health. The deadline for comments on the consultation on the draft scope by stakeholders is 26th February 2008.
Click here for the Draft Scope
Click here for the Scope Comments Form

LOCAL AUTHORITIES/GOVERNMENT

Summary of use of resources scores 2007. Scores and analysis for single tier and county councils and district councils (28th January 2008)
This report brings together use of resources assessment scores for single tier and county councils and district councils for 2007. Separate sections within this report examine the scores for each type of council.
Click here for the Report
Click here for the Resources Web page

HOMELESSNESS

OSW (Off the Streets and into Work) Conference Report: 2007 (January 2008)
OSW publishes in-depth report from its 2007 Annual Conference, 'Tackling Multiple Disadvantage and Homelessness'. The report showcases findings from the programme which explored the intricate barriers and solutions to supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and aiming move into employment.
Click here for the Report

HEALTHCARE COMMISSION

Review of Maternity Services 2007 (25th January 2008)
The Healthcare Commission has ranked one in four NHS maternity services as “best performing” in a national review published today (Friday 25th January). But the comparative review, the most comprehensive assessment ever of maternity services in England, also found significant variations in the quality of care across the country. The Commission ranked 22% of maternity services as “fair performing” (32 trusts) and 21% as “least well performing” (31 trusts). Some 26% of trusts were “best performing (38 trusts) and 32% were “better performing” (47 trusts).
Click here for the Briefing Note
Click here for the Maternity Services Scored Assessment

Click here for Individual Trusts Scores

GUIDANCE/GUIDELINES

Family Nurse Partnership 2008-09 recruitment of second wave of sites – bidding process and criteria (23rd January 2008)
The Family Nurse Partnership is an intensive preventive home visiting programme delivered by specially trained nurses and midwives who have experience of working with families in the community. It is a structured programme offered to at risk, first time young parents from early pregnancy until the child is 2 years old. 2008-09 bidding guidance for Primary Care Trusts / Local Authorities who wish to test the Family Nurse Partnership in their area. Bids are now being accepted for PCTs/LAs to test the Family Nurse Partnership in their area. Closing date for bids is 29th February 2008.
Click here for more Information

UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative statement on dummy use (24th January 2008)
In response to the publication of recent guidelines regarding the use of dummies for reducing the incidence of sudden infant death, the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative has produced a statement outlining their position on the use of dummies during the establishment of breastfeeding.
Click here for the Statement

ELDERLY/OLDER PEOPLE

Indications of Public Health in the English Regions – 9: Older People (25th January 2008)
This Indications of Public Health in the English Regions report on older people aims to describe the health and quality of life of older people living in Britain. By looking at their demography, mortality and morbidity, physical and mental functionality, quality of life, lifestyle, and services used it seeks to identify areas of concern which can be rectified and to lay down a baseline against which future progress may be judged.
Click here for the Report

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Releasing resources to the frontline: the Department of Health's Review of its Arm's Length Bodies (25th January 2008)
The Department of Health is on track to meet most of the key targets identified in a review of its arm’s length bodies, according to a report out today by the National Audit Office. By the end of 2007-08, expenditure will have reduced by £555 million, against the target of £500 million. And the number of posts in the sector will have decreased by 27 per cent, compared to the target of 25 per cent. The report concludes that the review has certainly cut costs, posts and the number of bodies, and secured some notable savings. In the wider context of developments in efficiency measurement since 2004, there remain some areas in which further evidence would be required to quantify the overall value for money achieved.
Click here for the Report
Click here for the Executive Summary

CONTROLLED DRUGS

Safer management of controlled drugs: changes to record keeping requirements (for England only) (28th January 2008)
This guidance is intended to inform and support relevant healthcare professionals and organisations in implementing changes to record keeping requirements for controlled drugs (CDs), required by changes made to 'The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001' set out in SI 2006/1450 and SI 2006/2178.
Click here for the Guidance

CONSULTATIONS

Removing or suspending chairs and non-executives from PCTs and NHS Trusts: consultation on introducing powers of suspension (24th January 2008)
This consultation sets out a single approach to considering whether and if so how, a chair or non-executive member of a Primary Care Trust (PCT), or a chair or non-executive director of an NHS trust, should be removed from office. The process may involve either seeking resignation or the termination of appointment and also introduces the potential use of a suspension function. There is currently no legal framework for the Secretary of State to direct the Appointments Commission to suspend chairs and non-executive members or directors from office. The consultation documentation sets out proposals on the amendments that need to be made to the relevant legislation in order to allow for suspension of chairs and non-executive members or directors of PCTs and NHS trusts, and for temporary non-executive member(s) or director(s) to be appointed during the period of suspension. It is intended that the introduction of a suspension function for SHA chairs and non-executives will be covered by a separate consultation at a later date. Closing date for comments is 6th March 2008.
Click here for the Consultation

Click here for the Impact Assessment

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Options for the Future of Payment by Results: 2008/09 – 2010/11 – response to consultation (24th January 2008)
The ‘Options for the Future of Payment by Results: 2008/09 – 2010/11’ consultation put forward proposals for future developments in PbR including tariff setting, coding and classification, expanding the scope of PbR, and supporting health policies through financial reform. The consultation ran March to June 2007. This document outlines the key messages the Department of Health received.
Click here for the Response

COMMUNITIES

An evaluation of Local Links: Reviewing a pilot programme to develop active networks in local communities (28th January 2008)
This report evaluates a pilot programme that is exploring the potential to develop active networks in local communities. It informs the current debate on neighbourhood governance and builds on JRF research that explores issues of community empowerment, local governance and user participation in local service delivery. The report evaluates: Programme coordination and management: clarity about what the programme sought to achieve; whether the correct people participated; management and coordination; contextual factors affecting delivery; Approach to delivery: sustaining the interest of participants; whether content was fit for purpose; whether the environment was conducive to the delivery of project objectives; Impact on participants in terms of: confidence; understanding the local area; networking; skills; motivation; benefit to participants' own projects; activism and employment; and Impact on the area: new initiatives and opportunities.
Click here for the Report

Developing active networks in local communities: A review of Local Links, a pilot programme in West Yorkshire (28th January 2008)
The pilot ‘Local Links’ programmes, run by Common Purpose in four areas of West Yorkshire, were designed to support active networking, skills development and information sharing for locally based decision makers and active citizens. This report explores whether the scheme was effective, and what benefits this approach has for communities. It examines: the benefit of informal networking in communities – meeting other people active and involved in the area, knowing what they do, taking and working together and forging stronger links; ways of valuing diversity (in all its aspects) within communities, and enabling participants to see the world through other people’s eyes; ways of overcoming some of the barriers to participation faced by local people; and Local Links as a model of good practice for work with and by communities.
Click here for the Report

Click here for the Findings

COMMISSIONING

NHS Comparators (14th January 2008)
NHS Comparators is a national resource, run by the Information Centre for Health and Social Care (The IC), which provides comparator data for NHS commissioning and provider organisation, enabling users to investigate aspects of local activity, costs and outcomes. It is designed to supplement information available by local systems. Registration is required to access this resource.
https://nww.nhscomparators.nhs.uk/NHSComparators/Login.aspx

BULLETINS/NEWSLETTERS

Health Protection Matters – Autumn 2007 (December 2007)

Health Protection Report Vol. 2 No. 4 (25th January 2008)

Social Care Bulletin, Issue 5 January 2008 (29th January 2008)

ALCOHOL

Drinking: adults' behaviour and knowledge in 2007 (25th January 2008)
This report is the seventh presenting results from questions about drinking which have been included on the ONS Omnibus survey at the request of the Department of Health and The Information Centre for health and social care. The main topics covered by this report are patterns of drinking, knowledge of alcohol units, and awareness of current advice on drinking.
Click here for the Report