Risky drinking in North West school children and its consequences: A study of fifteen and sixteen years (28th March 2008)
A study of 9,833 15-16 year old school children in the North West, examining relationships between risky drinking behaviours (binge drinking, frequent drinking, drinking in public places) and demographics, income, leisure activities and access to alcohol. Negative consequences of risky drinking such as violence and regretted sex are also investigated.
Click here for the Study
Safeguarding children in whom illness is fabricated or induced: A review of the implementation of the 2002 guidance within the NHS (19th March 2008)
A review of how Safeguarding Children in Whom Illness is Fabricated or Induced (2002) has been implemented within NHS settings. The report makes a number of proposals for improvement.
Click here for the Report
Click here for the Original Guidance
Keeping Them in the Family: Outcomes for abused and neglected children placed with family or friends carers through care proceedings (27th March 2008)
This project followed up a cohort of 113 children, removed from their parents’ care by the courts because of child protection concerns, who were then placed with members of their extended families or social networks.
Click here for the Document
Care Matters: Time to deliver for children in care (26th March 2008)
This implementation plan for children in care covers the national framework for change for children in care, guides Children’s Trust partners in implementing change locally, and explains how the Government will monitor and evaluate progress via feedback from children and young people.
Click here for the Document
Behind the Screen: The hidden life of youth online (27th March 2008)
The generational divide between children and young people and their parents is perhaps most widely seen in their views and approaches to the internet and media literacy. With this in mind, how do we ensure that children and young people are safeguarded from harm in way that is not over the top in principle and draconian in style, while at the same time maintaining the internet as a place for freedom, expression, creativity and socialisation? In its recommendations, this report calls for collaboration and support from peers, youth services, teachers and parents, rather than top-down restrictions and rules dictated from central government. The role of media literacy must be fully explored through informal and formal educational structures involving both young people and the older generations to enable use of the internet to be a safe and enjoyable process for all.
Click here for the Document
Safer Children in a Digital World (27th March 2008)
Clinical psychologist, Dr Tanya Byron, has launched her independent report, Safer Children in a Digital World, which sets out an ambitious action plan for Government, industry and families to work together to support children's safety online and to reduce access to adult video games. The Government has welcomed the report, accepted all of its recommendations and pledged to act immediately on taking forward her proposals.
Click here for the Full Report
Click here for the Executive Summary
Click here for A Summary for Children and Young People
Click here for the Related Documents
Immigration, faith and cohesion: Evidence from local areas with significant Muslim populations (19th March 2008)
This report examines the significance of different dimensions of cohesion – including social interaction, participation and belonging – on the lives of Muslims and people of other faiths or of no faith, both recent arrivals and established residents, living in the London borough of Newham, Birmingham and Bradford. It provides new insight into people’s experience of cohesion and community at a time when policy is focusing on community cohesion at the local level, particularly in relation to the arrival of significant numbers of new migrants in some areas.
Click here for the Report
Click here for the Findings
Routes and barriers to citizen governance (28th March 2008)
The government drive for greater community-based governance requires public bodies to ensure that all communities have the opportunity to participate in local decision-making structures and influence local service delivery. How effectively citizens from different communities and neighbourhoods are able to participate, however, can vary considerably due to structural, environmental, cultural and personal factors.
Click here for the Report
Click here for the Findings
Work programme and scales of fees 2008/09 (response to consultation) (20th March 2008)
This report summarises our responses to the key issues raised during the consultation on our Proposed Work Programme and Scales of Fees 2008/09 and Indicative Fee Proposals for 2009/10 and 2010/11. It also sets out how we will deliver significant reductions to audit fees and clarifies that inspection fees will be reduced for some councils by up to half.
Click here for the Report
Click here for Further information
National Indicators for Local Authorities and Local Authority Partnerships: Handbook of Definitions – Summary of Responses (1st April 2008)
Following the announcement of the single set of 198 national indicators on 11 October 2007as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007, the Government consulted on the detailed definitions of the national indicators between 8 November and 21 December. The consultation sought views on the methodology, frequency of reporting and data source of each individual indicator. The responses received helped the Government to finalise the definitions for the national indicators. This summary gives information on the methods used to consult on the definitions of the national indicators and analysis of the responses received.
Click here for the Indicators
Draft Guidance on Health in Strategic Environmental Assessment: Response to Consultation (26th March 2008)
The draft guidance on health in strategic environmental assessment (SEA), published for consultation in March 2007, was the first SEA guidance to focus solely on the related SEA topics of population and human health. This report summarises the responses made to the consultation.
Click here for the Document
Consultation on revised proposals relating to the arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and incontinence appliances – and related services – to Primary Care: Summary of the responses to the consultation published 6 September 2007 (27th March 2008)
The review of Part IX of the Drug tariff has been ongoing since October 2005. Revised proposals for the arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and incontinence appliances - and related services - to Primary Care were consulted on between September and December 2007. This report summarises the responses to the September consultation - and sets out how the Department intends to take the review of Part IX of the Drug Tariff forward.
Click here for the Document
Data Protection – Protecting People (A Data Protection Strategy for the Information Commissioner’s Office (1st April 2008)
The Information Commissioner's Office have issued a new strategy document setting out their broad aims, which might be summarised as focusing on risk rather than enforcement, where they have such a choice, to "moderate the most serious risks" and protect the most vulnerable. Data protection in the public sector will be an important area of work, as will the increasing use of surveillance.
Click here for the Strategy
NICE Guidance on Antibiotic prophylaxis against infective endocarditis (20th March 2008)
Chief Dental Officer Letter in regarding The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) response to conflicting advice in relation to antibiotic prophylaxis against infective endocarditis.
Click here for the Letter
Framework for the identification and validation of claims arising from phase 2 ISTC schemes cancelled or re-scoped as a result of the revalidation (27th March 2008)
This document seeks to set out a framework that may be used by the Department of Health where considering claims arising from the cancellation or re-scoping of various health Phase 2 ISTC schemes, arising as a result of the revalidation review undertaken by the Department during 2007/8.
Click here for the Document
Influence of School and Teaching Quality on Children’s Progress in Primary School (27th March 2008)
This research shows that going to a primary school with better classroom and school practices has a positive effect on children's progress between years one and five, over and above the well-recognised influences of home background and prior attainment.
Click here for the Research
Are you getting it right? A toolkit for consulting young people on sex and relationships education (26th March 2008)
A new initiative developed by the Sex Education Forum, based at NCB, will give school pupils the opportunity to influence what they are taught in sex and relationships education (SRE) lessons, so that it helps them make safe and healthy choices. The SRE audit ‘toolkit’ will help schools canvas young people’s opinions on what they think they should learn about, at what age, and who they think their SRE should be delivered by – with choices ranging from their teacher or peer educators to outside experts.
Click here for the Toolkit
Health, Place and Nature: How outdoor environments influence health and well-being – A knowledge base (31st March 2008)
This research looks at the contribution of aspects of the outdoor environment, both natural and built, to health.
Click here for the Research
DH 2008/03 Grundy heated food trolley (31st March 2008)
Identify heated food trolleys from Grundy suspected of containing asbestos and take action to remove and replace damaged asbestos or dispose of the food trolley.
Click here for the Alert
Personal Beliefs and Medical Practice (March 2008)
The General Medical Council (GMC) has developed new guidance in response to an increasing number of inquiries about issues relating to personal religious and moral beliefs – both doctor’s and patients’.
Click here for the Guidance
Principles of GP Appraisal (19th March 2008)
This paper, from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), sets out a policy and principles to underpin the appraisal process for General Practitioners working in the national health systems of the four countries of the UK.
Click here for the Paper
Government Response to The Road Ahead: The Final Report of the Independent Task Group on Gypsy and Traveller Site Provision and Enforcement (1st April 2008)
In December 2007, the Independent Task Group on Site Provision and Enforcement published their final report to Ministers: The Road Ahead. This document sets out the response to the recommendations to central government within that report.
Click here for the Response
National Security Strategy (19th March 2008)
The Prime Minister has announced the publication of the first National Security Strategy for the United Kingdom. The strategy highlights the nature of the new security challenges, how they have changed, and how the Government are responding. The strategy sets out how the Government have learned the lessons of recent years, including experiences of terrorism and civil emergencies, not just in the UK but also overseas.
Click here for the Strategy
Transition: moving on well (19th March 2008)
A good practice guide on effective transition from children's to adult services for young people with complex health needs has been published by the Department of Health and the Department for Schools, Children and Families. The guide will help ensure that the young person and their family is better prepared for the move to adult care and that the adult care team has been involved in planning for the transfer.
Click here for the Guide
Click here for the Equality Impact Assessment
Click here for Annex B – Health Plan
Pilot of enhanced enteric fever surveillance in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: 1 May 2006 – 30 April 2007 (19th March 2008)
This report details the findings from the Health Protection Agency’s one year pilot study of enhanced surveillance of typhoid and paratyphoid fever (enteric fever) in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (EWNI) between 1 May 2006 and 30 April 2007, together with recommendations for public health action. The largest proportion of cases (40%) occurred in the London region, therefore a separate London supplement is also available.
Click here for the Report
Guidance on the application of dose coefficients for the embryo, fetus and breastfed infant in dose assessment for members of the public (March 2008)
This document provides guidance on the application of these dose coefficients in relation to different exposure situations. Information is given on the dose coefficients and the related guidance previously given by the ICRP and the National Radiological Protection Board. The importance of considering doses resulting from in utero exposures to radionuclides and their transfer in breast milk is assessed, based on a series of calculations carried out for routine discharges of radionuclides to the environment. The applicability of the results for emergency exposure situations and solid waste disposal is also addressed.
Click here for the Guidance
Statutory Homelessness in England: The Experience of Families and 16-17 Yea Olds (28th March 2008)
The main aim of this study was to provide robust statistical evidence on families and 16-17 year olds accepted as owed the main homelessness duty by English local authorities, in order to inform effective policy interventions. The study focused on the characteristics and support needs of families and 16-17 year olds accepted as homeless; the causes of statutory homelessness; the experience of temporary accommodation; and the impacts of homelessness and stays in temporary accommodation.
Click here for the Full Report
Click here for the Summary
The Public Value of Social Housing: A longitudinal analysis of the relationship between housing and life chances (25th March 2008)
This research study looks at the life chances of people living in social housing from the Second World War up to the current day. It provides a unique overview of the extent to which, since the inception of the welfare state, housing policy has delivered on its objectives and contributed to those of wider social policy.
Click here for the Study
Updated advice – over the counter cough and cold medicines for young children (27th March 2008)
The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) has reviewed over-the-counter (OTC) products used for treating cough and colds in children, and has advised that certain medicines should no longer be used in children under the age of two.
Click here for Press release and related documents
Click here for Clarification
Understanding the Impact of the Job Retention and Rehabilitation Pilot for People with Mental Health Conditions (27th March 2008)
This report summarises the findings from a study on people with mental health conditions who used Job Retention and Rehabilitation Pilot services. They had a lower rate of return to work than those who did not use the service.
Click here for the Report
Work programme and scales of fees 2008/09 and indicative fee proposals for 2009/10 and 2010/11 – Health (20th March 2008)
This document sets out the work that the Audit Commission plans to undertake in the NHS in 2008/09 and the associated scales of audit fees. It also sets out indicative fee proposals for 2009/10 and 2010/11.
Click here for the Document
Code of practice for the promotion of NHS funded services (19th March 2008)
This code of practice sets out rules around promotional material issued by providers of NHS services to ensure that: the information patients receive is not misleading, inaccurate, unfair or offensive, that the brand and reputation of the NHS is protected, and that expenditure on promotional activity is not excessive.
Click here for the Code of Practice
Click here for the List of respondents to the consultation
Free choice at the point of referral (28th March 2008)
‘Free choice’ – allowing patients being referred for non-urgent treatment to choose a hospital anywhere in England – begins in the NHS in England in April 2008. This Kings Fund briefing summarises the most recent official data relating to choice of hospital at the point of GP referral.
Click here for the Briefing
The Guidelines Manual: Consultation on the 2008 update (1st April 2008)
NICE has carried out a review of ‘The guidelines manual’. This document describes the detailed process and methodology used to produce NICE clinical guidelines. It applies to both the NICE’s standard clinical guidelines and short clinical guidelines programmes. The draft update of ‘The guidelines manual’ is now open for consultation. Closing date for comments is 1st July 2008.
Click here for the Chapters
Click here for the Appendices
Click here for the Comments Proforma
Antenatal care: routine care for the healthy pregnant women Clinical Guideline CG62 (26th March 2008)
The advice in the NICE guideline covers: the routine care that all healthy women can expect to receive during their pregnancy. It does not specifically look at: women who are pregnant with more than one baby, women with certain medical conditions or women who develop a health problem during their pregnancy. This is an update of advice on 'Antenatal care: routine care for the healthy pregnant woman' that NICE produced in 2003.
Click here for the NICE Guideline
Click here for the Quick Reference Guide
Click here for the Full Guideline
Click here for the Search Strategies
Click here for the Evidence Tables
Click here for the Excluded Studies
Click here for Understanding NICE Guidance
Click here for the Costing Report
Click here for the Costing Template
Asthma (in adults) – corticosteroids Technology Appraisal TA138 (26th March 2008)
This guidance covers the use of inhaled corticosteroids to treat adults and children aged 12 years and over with chronic asthma in the NHS in England and Wales. It is written for people with chronic asthma but it may also be useful for their families or carers or anyone with an interest in the condition.
Click here for the Guidance
Click here for the Quick Reference Guide
Click here for the Understanding NICE Guidance
Click here for the Costing Statement
Click here for the Audit Support
Diabetes in Pregnancy: Management of diabetes and its complications from pre-conception to the postnatal period Clinical Guideline CG63 (26th March 2008)
This guidance covers the care and treatment of pregnant women with diabetes in the NHS in England and Wales. It also covers the care of their newborn babies. It is written for women who have diabetes or develop it in pregnancy, but it may also be useful for their families or for anyone with an interest in the condition.
Click here for the NICE Guidance
Click here for the Full Guidance
Click here for the Quick Reference Guide
Click here for the Search Strategies
Click here for the Evidence Tables
Click here for the Understanding NICE Guidance
Click here for the Costing Template
Click here for the Costing Report
Intraoperative nerve monitoring during thyroid surgery Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG255 (26th March 2008)
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on intraoperative nerve monitoring during thyroid surgery. The thyroid gland lies close to the vocal cords and the nerves that control movement of the vocal cords (recurrent laryngeal nerves). When surgery is performed on the thyroid gland, a nerve monitor is sometimes used during the operation with the aim of helping to prevent potential damage to the nerves.
Click here for the Guidance
Click here for the Understanding NICE Guidance
Click here for the Consultation comments
Maternal and Child Nutrition Public Health Programme Guidance PH011 (26th March 2008)
This guidance aims to address disparities in the nutrition of low-income and other disadvantaged groups compared with the general population. It is relevant for all women who are pregnant (or planning to become pregnant), mothers of children aged under 5 and others who care for children aged under 5. The guidance complements and supports, but does not replace, NICE clinical guidelines on: antenatal care, diabetes in pregnancy, intrapartum and postnatal care.
Click here for the Guidance
Click here for the Quick Reference Guide (Professionals)
Click here for the Quick Reference Guide (Public)
Click here for the Costing Statement
Mental Wellbeing of Children in Primary Education Public Health Intervention Guidance PH12 (26th March 2008)
This guidance is for teachers, school governors and professionals with public health as part of their remit working in education, local authorities, the NHS and the wider public, independent, voluntary and community sectors. Children's social and emotional wellbeing is important in its own right but also because it affects their physical health (both as a child and as an adult) and can determine how well they do at school. Good social, emotional and psychological health helps protect children against emotional and behavioural problems, violence and crime, teenage pregnancy and the misuse of drugs and alcohol. The guidance complements and supports, but does not replace, NICE guidance on depression in children and young people and parent training and education in the management of children with conduct disorders.
Click here for the Guidance
Click here for the Quick Reference Guide
Click here for the Costing statement
Prophylaxis against infective endocarditis Clinical Guideline CG64 (26th March 2008)
The advice in this NICE guideline covers: Patients who are at risk of infective endocarditis, specifically: adults and children with certain problems affecting the structure of the heart (such as a replacement heart valve or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy); adults and children who have previously had infective endocarditis (whether or not they have an underlying cardiac problem); people having any of these procedures: any dental procedure; any obstetric or gynaecological procedure, or childbirth; any procedure on the bladder or urine system; any procedure on the gullet, stomach or intestines; any procedure on the airways, including ear, nose and throat procedures and bronchoscopy (a test used to diagnose some lung problems). It does not specifically look at: people at risk of infective endocarditis who do not have heart problems (such as intravenous drug users); and people having procedures that aren't in the list above.
Click here for the NICE Guidance
Click here for the Appendices
Click here for the Quick Reference Guide
Click here for the Understanding NICE Guidance
Click here for the Cost Template
Click here for the Costing Report
Sleep Apnoea – continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) Technology Appraisal TA139 (26th March 2008)
CPAP is recommended as a possible treatment for adults with moderate or severe sleep apnoea. CPAP may also be a possible treatment for people with mild sleep apnoea, but only if: their symptoms affect their quality of life and ability to go about their daily activities, and lifestyle advice (for example about losing weight, stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol; and all other possible treatments have not worked or are not appropriate for that person. A person with sleep apnoea should be assessed and treated by a specialist in sleep disorders.
Click here for the Guidance
Click here for the Quick Reference Guide
Click here for the Understanding NICE Guidance
Click here for the Audit Support
Click here for the Cost Template
Suburethral synthetic sling insertion for stress urinary incontinence in men Interventional Procedure Guidance (IPG256)
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on suburethral synthetic sling insertion for stress urinary incontinence in men. Following surgery to remove the prostate, many men develop leakage of urine during movements such as coughing, sneezing or laughing, which is known as stress incontinence. A sling can be inserted in the pelvic region to support or compress the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder and through the penis) to prevent urine leakage.
Click here for the Guidance
Click here for the Understanding NICE Guidance
Click here for the Consultation Comments
Preventing the uptake of smoking by children: consultation on the draft guidance (19th March 2008)
Consultation on the draft guidance relating to “Mass-media and point-of-sales measures to prevent the uptake of smoking by children and young people”. Registered stakeholders are invited to comment on the draft guidance document which entails the draft recommendations. This consultation will take place between Wednesday 19 March and Friday 18 April 2008.
Click here for the Draft Guidance
Click here for the Comments Form
Rimonabant for the treatment of overweight and obese patients: Final appraisal determination (26th March 2008)
After considering the feedback from consultation, the Appraisal Committee has prepared a Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) on rimonabant for the treatment of overweight and obese patients and submitted it to the Institute. The FAD has been sent to the formal consultees for this appraisal who have 15 working days to consider whether they wish to appeal against it. Subject to any appeal by consultees, the FAD may be used as the basis for the Institute's guidance on the use of the appraised technology in the NHS in England and Wales. Please note that the appeal period for this appraisal will close at 5pm on 9 April 2008.
Click here for the Final Appraisal Determination
Click here for the Consultee and commentator comments on the ACD
Click here for the Response to consultee, commentator and public comments
Click here for the ERG Appraisal of additional information
Click here for the Submission from the National Obesity Forum
Macular degeneration (age-related) – pegaptanib and ranibizumab: Final Appraisal Determination (1st April 2008)
After considering the feedback from consultation, the Appraisal Committee has prepared a Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) on pegaptanib and ranibizumab for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration and submitted it to the Institute. The FAD has been sent to the formal consultees for this appraisal who have 15 working days to consider whether they wish to appeal against it. Subject to any appeal by consultees, the FAD may be used as the basis for the Institute's guidance on the use of the appraised technology in the NHS in England and Wales. Please note that the appeal period for this appraisal will close at 5pm on 16 April 2008.
Click here for the Final Appraisal Determination
Click here for the Response to consultee, commentator and public comments
Click here for the Consultee and commentator comments on the ACD
Click here for the Expert Comments on the ACD
Click here for the Report on public comments received on the ACD
Click here for the Additional scenario analysis undertaken by the Assessment Group
Click here for the Additional scenario analysis undertaken by the Decision Support Unit
Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: Guidance for Local Areas (19th March 2008)
This guidance follows on from the publication of the Government’s obesity strategy Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: A Cross-Government strategy for England. It sets out what actions PCTs and local authorities, and their partners, can take to deliver their child obesity goals as part of the NHS Operating Framework Vital Signs and the Local Government National Indicator Set.
Click here for the Guidance
NHS Dental Charges: What You Should Pay (from 1st April 2008)
This poster outlines for patients the charge for each band of dental treatment with effect from 1st April 2008.
Click here for the Poster
Click here for the Leaflet
Updated HC12: Charges and optical voucher values, HC10: Help with health costs and HC5 refund claim forms (1st April 2008)
Entitlement to help with health costs (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs) is based on the principle that those who can afford to contribute should do so, while those who are likely to have difficulty in paying should be protected. These are leaflets that have been updated to outline the changes in charges from 1st April 2008.
Click here for Information
When Your Waters Break Early (preterm prelabour rupture of membranes): Information for you (March 2008)
This patient information leaflet, from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), explains what to do if your waters break early.
Click here for the Leaflet
Public Attitudes to Child Poverty (20th March 2008)
This report summarises findings from a survey measuring public attitudes to the conditions and causes of child poverty in the UK.
Click here for the Report
For Love or Money: Pay, progression and professionalisation in the ‘early years’ workforce (2nd April 2008)
The first report from ippr’s Working out of Poverty series highlighted the significant and growing problem of poverty among working people and their families. The aim of this report is to investigate how these issues play out in one particular low wage sector – the early years – highlighting both challenges that are common across low wage sectors and those that are distinctive to the early years. The analysis reveals the human stories and struggles that lie behind the statistics on pay and poverty. The findings highlight the challenges for policymakers and deliverers seeking to raise both quality and wages and the proposals suggest how policy could better realise fairness, opportunity and aspiration at work, while orientating this crucial sector of the economy towards both higher wages for workers and higher quality for children.
Click here for the Report
Improving medium-term financial planning. A practical guide for primary care trusts (19th March 2008)
This briefing is based on a review of PCT local delivery plans and MTFPs. We have visited a sample of PCTs to identify the characteristics and activities associated with good medium-term financial planning. We have also spoken to SHAs to obtain their views on how financial planning should be managed across health economies. The briefing provides a commentary on current PCT performance in medium-term financial planning. It then gives detailed guidance for PCTs to use as necessary. The briefing is aimed at PCT finance directors, PCT Boards and all those involved in the planning process; both finance and non-finance staff. It is intended to encourage PCTs to prioritise medium-term financial planning.
Click here for the Briefing
Low-income Groups and Behaviour Change Interventions: A review of intervention content and effectiveness (26th March 2008)
This is the second paper in a series, Kicking Bad Habits, on how people can be encouraged to adopt healthy behaviour. Looking at interventions targeted specifically at low-income groups, this paper asks whether different techniques or modes of delivery are needed to promote healthier lifestyles to these lower income groups. It reveals that the most frequently used techniques are providing information and encouraging people to set goals, which can be particularly effective at changing behaviour in disadvantaged groups. There will be three more of these discussion papers before a final report is produced in late 2008.
Click here for the Paper
In Focus: Putting people first: Equality and Diversity Matters 1 (31st March 2008)
This bulletin is the first in a series of three designed to help service providers address the personalistion agenda in social care. The series looks at issues in equality and diversity. This bulletin focuses on lesbian, gay and bisexual and transgender people using services.
Click here for the Bulletin
