Youth Alcohol Action Plan (2nd June 2008)
There is growing public concern about how much alcohol young people drink in their teenage years. The evidence set out in this action plan shows the extent of the problem and sets out the Government's five priorities for tackling it. This action plan highlights evidence on the extent of the problem of teenage drinking, how it puts the health of young people at risk and increases the chances of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour and crime. The action plan sets out five priorities to tackle the problem, including the stepping up of enforcement activity and establishing a new partnership with parents.
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Food Standards Agency: Annual Report of incidents 2007 (2nd June 2008)
This report covers the 1,312 incidents investigated by the Food Standards Agency in the UK in 2007. Where appropriate, the agency took action to ensure that consumers’ food safety interests were protected and standards maintained.
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Just Care? A fresh approach to adult services (1st June 2008)
A just society can be judged on how it supports people who need care to live independent lives. Care for adults has rarely received the attention it deserves. However, this is changing. This paper outlines how a care system that is fair for users and givers of care could take shape. It starts from a central point: the state cannot support adults with care needs to maximise their independence without better supporting care within families and across communities. This requires looking at how the range of services for support adults, families and communities.
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Preventing Future Child Deaths: A study of ‘early starter’ child death overview panels in England (2nd June 2008)
This report examines processes for reviewing child deaths. Formal review processes serve a valuable public health function in providing contemporary and comprehensive information on patterns of child death, promote action to prevent child deaths, and support wider aspects of inter-agency working to safeguard children and promote their welfare.
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World Class Commissioning Assurance Toolkit and Handbook (4th June 2008)
The delivery of the world class commissioning vision and competencies will take place within a commissioning assurance system. This will drive performance and development, and reward PCTs as they move towards becoming world class commissioners. There will be one national system of commissioning assurance, locally managed by strategic health authorities (SHAs). There will be flexibility to set local priorities. Commissioning assurance will be designed to help primary care trusts (PCTs) identify areas of development and move towards filling gaps in their capabilities. The details of the assurance system are set out in the commissioning assurance handbook which includes guidance on the content and process. The handbook is supported by a toolkit including all the tools and templates that PCTs and SHAs will need to implement the system. PCTs, SHAs and panel members should go visit the link below to access the toolkit.
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Designing citizen-centred governance (23rd May 2008)
Citizen-centred governance involves new ways of enabling local people, working with statutory and other agencies, to decide how public services can improve their quality of life. This study examined the relationship between new governance structures and the engagement of citizens, service users and the voluntary and community sectors, with the aim of identifying lessons for policy and practice.
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Possible amendments to medicines and associated legislation during an influenza pandemic - summary of responses to a Department of Health consultation paper (21st May 2008)
Summary of responses to an initial consultation on outline ideas to ensure continuity of access to medicines and healthcare products during the event of an influenza pandemic.
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Summary of responses to the consultation on improving the process of death certification (21st May 2008)
This document provides an overview of respondents comments on the proposals to address weaknesses identified by the Shipman Inquiry in the process of death certification in England and Wales. The consultation ran from July to October 2007.
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The responsible pharmacist regulations: a summary of the responses to public consultation on proposals for the content of the regulations (22nd May 2008)
In October 2007 the Department of Health published a consultation paper seeking views on proposals for the content of the responsible pharmacist regulations. This document provides a summary of the responses to that consultation.
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Youth Alcohol Action Plan (2nd June 2008)
This consultation seeks views on a comprehensive plan to stop young people drinking in public, help them make the right decisions about alcohol and provide clear information to parents and young people about the risks of early drinking. Closing date for comments is 7th July 2008.
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Consultation on the future of tobacco control (31st May 2008)
The Cancer Reform Strategy 2007 announced the Government’s intention to consult on the next steps in tobacco control and the further regulation of tobacco products, and to consult with stakeholders on measures to reduce the significant harm to health caused by smoking for those who are addicted to nicotine and not able to quit altogether. This consultation is the first step in developing a new national tobacco control strategy and covers four main areas: Reducing smoking rates and health inequalities caused by smoking; Protecting children and young people from smoking; Supporting smokers to quit; and Helping those who cannot quit. Closing date for comments is 8th September 2008.
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Young People’s Specialist Substance Misuse Treatment: Exploring the Evidence: Consultation (29th May 2008)
The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) is inviting comments on this guidance. Closing date for comments is 9th July 2008.
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Towards a strategy to support volunteering in health and social care: consultation (3rd June 2008)
A volunteering strategy for health and social care will articulate the key actions needed to address the perceived obstacles to making a refreshed vision for volunteering in health and social care a reality. The consultation will run until 30 September 2008, with a view to publication of a final strategy and implementation plan in early 2009.
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‘All salted?’ Reducing salt intake in young parents and their children (3rd June 2008)
National Children’s Bureau, as part of the Food Standard Agency’s (FSA) campaign on reducing salt in the nations’ diet, was funded by the FSA to develop and pilot a salt reduction health and lifeskills programme to help young parents to reduce their salt intake and that of their children. The project aimed to enable young mothers and fathers aged between 14-21 years to reduce and then maintain the reduction in their own and their children’s salt intake.
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A guide to the Human Rights Act - A booklet for people with learning disabilities (2nd June 2008)
A revised Guide to the Human Rights Act for people with learning disabilities uses examples from everyday life to help explain what human rights means for them. The booklet was produced by the Ministry of Justice with the help of Working with Words, a specialist supplier of services for people with learning disabilities and low literacy. It uses examples from work, supported housing, day services and dealing with the local council to illustrate how human rights apply to people's everyday lives.
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Guidance for GPs, other clinicians and health professionals on the care of gender variant people (21st May 2008)
Gender variant (trans or transgender) people are relatively rarely seen in GP surgeries. Many GPs say that they lack the knowledge to treat those experiencing gender variant conditions, and, consequently, they are not confident to do so. The first part of this publication provides an overview of care for trans people that is particularly applicable to GPs. Hormone therapy is central to transgender primary care, and issues such as assessment and diagnosis are also relevant to general practice. These topics are discussed in greater detail in Annexes C and D.
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Compassion in healthcare (30th May 2008)
This paper explores how, despite the scope and sophistication of modern healthcare, care and compassion appear to be under strain in health systems globally. It does this through the story of Robin Youngson, an anaesthetist and clinical leader in New Zealand, and his daughter’s treatment in hospital after an accident. Through his prescription for compassion, Robin considers how to put the compassion back in to modern healthcare across the world.
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Who Lives in Affordable Housing? (22nd May 2008)
This report provides insight into the changing profile of affordable housing residents. While recognising the considerable diversity across and within housing markets, it identifies some key characteristics of residents and explores how their profile looks set to change over the next few years.
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An Accreditation Scheme for Health and Social Care Information next steps and testing phase (29th May 2008)
The Information Accreditation Scheme has a pivotal role in improving patient experience in that it will ‘kite mark’ information producers in order to make it easier for people to make their own judgements about the quality of information to make decisions about their health, health care and social care. The Scheme is moving into an important testing phase and will be launched in early 2009. As part of the testing phase, we are looking for a limited number of information producers to help test the Standard and certification process during this year.
Complete Document and Cover Letter
Background Information and Expression of Interest Form
Paying the Price: The cost of mental health care in England to 2026 (28th May 2008)
Recognising the significance of mental health in terms of both expenditure and the overall health of the population, the King’s Fund commissioned a review. This report presents current and projected needs for mental health services and their related costs. It gives details on a number of specific disorders, including depression, schizophrenic disorders and dementia. Paying the Price suggests that without the right level and type of investment we will all pay the price – not just in wasted resources but also in wasted lives. This report should be used to encourage informed debate about the future nature and shape of mental health support.
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See me, not just the dementia. Understanding people’s experiences of living in a care home (3rd June 2008)
This report, from the Commission for Social Care Inspection, focuses on the quality of care for people with dementia living in care homes. It looks at the experiences of people with dementia living in care homes in England, with a particular focus on whether their care offers dignity and respect. Most similar studies have relied on the views of carers, care staff and people in the early stages of dementia. This study examines directly the experiences of people including those with advanced dementia.
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Report and analysis of the experience of patients in black and minority ethnic groups (22nd May 2008)
This publication examines variations in the self-reported views of NHS patients from different ethnic groups across a range of healthcare settings, and the work was undertaken jointly by the Department of Health and the Healthcare Commission. Results include data from the national surveys of patients published by the Healthcare Commission up to and including 2006/07.
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New standard contracts for NHS mental health, community and ambulance services (29th May 2008)
Monthly bulletins on the development of new standard contracts for NHS mental health, community, and ambulance services, to be introduced from April 2009. The new contracts will be based upon many of the same principles and requirements of the standard acute contract (introduced through the Operating Framework in December 2007 for agreements between PCTs, as commissioners, and NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts as providers), amended as necessary to take account of the different service and organisational contexts.
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Implementing the White Paper Trust, Assurance and Safety: enhancing confidence in healthcare professional regulators - final report and DH response to recommendation (2nd June 2008)
In May 2007, Lord Hunt asked Niall Dickson, Chief Executive of the Kings Fund, to chair one of the seven working groups to take forward key recommendations in the White Paper Trust, Assurance and Safety. This group was asked to examine those aspects of the White Paper concerned with enhancing public confidence in the regulators of healthcare professionals. This document contains the working group's report and the Department's response to its recommendations.
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NHS Carbon Emissions Modelling (29th May 2008)
The NHS has produced an NHS England Carbon Reduction Strategy, as part of a broader sustainable development agenda. To support this process, the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) has completed a carbon footprinting study - covering all NHS England Estates and activities - in conjunction with the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI).
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Background to the Next Stage Review (30th May 2008)
In July 2007 Professor Lord Ara Darzi, a surgeon and health minister, started a wide-ranging review of the NHS in England and the final report is due to be published before the 60th anniversary of the NHS on 5 July 2008. This briefing, from the Kings Fund, provides the background of the review and previews the recommendations the report will make.
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The Quest for Quality: Refining the NHS Reforms. A Policy Analysis and Chartbook (20th May 2008)
Quest for Quality: Refining the NHS reforms is a detailed and authoritative study of healthcare in the UK by internationally acclaimed academics Professor Sheila Leatherman and Dr Kim Sutherland. It is the last of a series commissioned to examine in depth the progress of and quality of care in the NHS over a 10-year period which began in 1997. This latest document reports on how and where quality has improved in response to major investment since the Labour Government was elected and follows an interim report published in 2005. It has two complementary sections – a policy analysis and a data chartbook - and also contains recommendations for the Department of Health on how the quality agenda may be more effectively progressed in future.
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Anaemia (cancer-treatment induced) - erythropoietin (alpha and beta) and darbepoetin - Technology Appraisal TA142 (28th May 2008)
Erythropoietin analogues with iron injections are recommended as a possible treatment for anaemia caused by cancer treatment only in: women receiving platinum-based chemotherapy for cancer of the ovaries who have a blood haemoglobin level of 8 g/100 ml or lower; people who have very severe anaemia and cannot receive blood transfusions.
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Ankylosing spondylitis - adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab - Technology Appraisal TA143 (28th May 2008)
Adalimumab or etanercept are recommended as possible treatments for people with severe ankylosing spondylitis who: have active spinal disease as assessed on two separate occasions 12 weeks apart, and have tried at least two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) but they have not worked.
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Canaloplasty for primary open-angle glaucoma - Intervention Procedure Guidance IP260 (28th May 2008)
Primary open angle glaucoma is a condition associated with a long-term increase of pressure within the eye. It may gradually lead to permanent loss of sight because of damage to the nerve that connects the eye to the brain (optic nerve), which is essential for sight. Canaloplasty involves widening the main drainage canal in the eye to help prevent the build up of fluid. The drainage canal is situated within the angle between the iris (the coloured part of the eye) and cornea (the transparent outer coating of the eye). A tiny tube is inserted into the canal and a thick fluid (viscoelastic) is injected to open it up. The tube is then removed and a stitch is placed within the canal to keep it open. The aim is to restore the eye’s natural drainage system and reduce pressure within the eye.
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Diabetes Type 2 (update) - Clinical Guideline CG66 (28th May 2008)
This guidance is about the care and treatment of people with type 2 diabetes in the NHS in England and Wales. It covers: the monitoring of glucose, lipid (blood cholesterol and fat) and blood pressure levels; diabetes education programmes; dietary advice. The use of medications to: control blood glucose; prevent vascular (blood vessel) disease; reduce blood pressure; improve lipid levels. The detection and ongoing management (with referral to a specialist if necessary) of: eye disease; kidney disease; nerve damage and nerve pain; depression.
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Endoaortic balloon occlusion for cardiac surgery - Intervention Procedure Guidance IPG261 (28th May 2008)
During major heart surgery, the flow of blood through the heart needs to be stopped temporarily. In endoaortic balloon occlusion, a flexible tube (catheter) with a balloon attached to its tip is inserted into an artery in the groin (femoral artery) and threaded up to the heart. When the catheter is in the correct position in the heart, the balloon is filled with saline. As the balloon expands it blocks the aorta, which is the largest artery in the body. With the aorta blocked, the heart surgery can be performed. After heart surgery, the balloon and catheter are removed and the blood flow is restored.
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Lipid modification - Clinical Guideline CG67 (28th May 2008)
This guideline covers: Adults at higher risk of heart disease, stroke or peripheral arterial disease (cardiovascular disease). Risk of cardiovascular disease increases with age, as well as in people who smoke or who have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. People with heart disease in the family or men with a South Asian (for example, Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi) background are also at higher risk; People who have already had a heart attack, stroke or 'mini-stroke' (transient ischaemic attack or TIA); People who have angina or some other forms of cardiovascular disease.
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Promoting Physical Activity in the Workplace - Public Health Intervention Guidance PH13 (28th May 2008)
This guidance is for employers and professionals in small, medium and large organisations who have a direct or indirect role in, and responsibility for, improving health in the workplace. This includes those working in the NHS, local authorities and the wider public, voluntary, community and private sectors, especially those working in human resources or occupational health. It will also be of interest to employees, trades union representatives and members of the public. The guidance complements and supports, but does not replace, NICE guidance on: physical activity and the environment, workplace smoking and obesity.
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Single-incision sub-urethral short tape insertion for stress urinary incontinence in women - Intervention Procedure Guidance IPG262 (28th May 2008)
Stress urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine during exercise or certain movements such as coughing, sneezing and laughing. It is usually due to weak or damaged muscles and connective tissues in the pelvic floor. Single incision sub-urethral short tape insertion involves the insertion of a short synthetic tape under the urethra, through an incision in the vagina. The tape aims to support the urethra (the passage through which urine leaves the bladder), to reduce the chance of urine leaking when the bladder is put under pressure.
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Metastic spinal cord compression: consultation (23rd May 2008)
A clinical practice guideline on Metastatic spinal cord compression 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 18th July 2008.
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Hyperuricaemia - Febuxostat: appraisal consultation document (28th May 2008)
The Department of Health has asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE or the Institute) to conduct a single technology appraisal (STA) of febuxostat for the management of hyperuricaemia in patients with gout 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 by the manufacturer 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 febuxostat. Closing date for comments is 17th June 2008.
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The work-life experiences of black nurses in the UK (30th May 2008)
This research was commissioned by the RCN in order to collate detailed narratives of the work-life experiences of nurses from established minority ethnic communities within the UK (rather than more recently arrived internationally recruited migrant nurses). The data on which this report is based was collated at three focus group sessions held in October and November 2007 involving a total of 30 black nurses. The main objective of the research was to provide illustrative examples of the work-life experiences of black nurses in the UK and also to encourage a discussion about how the RCN could be involved in helping to improve the working lives of its black members. The report makes some recommendations for the RCN to support these aims.
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Joint birth registration: recording responsibility (2nd June 2008)
This White Paper from the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Work and Pensions, urges that wherever possible both parents are named on a child’s birth certificate. The measures will continue to protect vulnerable women and children, but will allow mothers to ensure that a father acknowledges their responsibility to their offspring. Equally, they will ensure unmarried fathers will get the right to have a say in their child's life.
Click here for the White Paper
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Foresight Training Programme (27th May 2008)
The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has launched a Foresight Training Resource Pack to improve the safety of patients treated in the NHS. The Foresight Training Resource Pack has been developed to support nurses and midwives, working in all care settings to improve awareness of the factors that combine to increase the likelihood of patient safety incidents; to increase local learning through sharing experiences and to improve understanding of “risk prone situations” and situations that could be considered as a “near miss”.
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No patient left behind: how can we ensure world class primary care for black and ethnic minority people? (22nd May 2008)
The 2007 GP Patient Survey highlighted significant variations between GP practices in levels of patient satisfaction, together with lower satisfaction rates for people from some BME groups. In response, the Secretary of State announced in July 2007 that he was asking Professor David Colin-Thomé, National Clinical Director for Primary Care, and Professor Mayur Lakhani (former Chair of the RCGP) to lead two reviews into access and responsiveness of primary care services. In this report, Professor Lakhani looks specifically at the reasons for lower satisfaction among patients from some BME communities.
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Report of the National Improvement Team for Primary Care Access and Responsiveness (22nd May 2008)
The 2007 GP Patient Survey highlighted significant variations between GP practices in levels of patient satisfaction, together with lower satisfaction rates for people from some BME groups. In response, the Secretary of State announced in July 2007 that he was asking Professor David Colin-Thomé, National Clinical Director for Primary Care, and Professor Mayur Lakhani (former Chair of the RCGP) to lead two reviews into access and responsiveness of primary care services. In this report, Professor Colin-Thomé focuses on the variation in patient satisfaction between practices.
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Short-changed. Spending on Prison Mental Health Care (27th May 2008)
This report, produced by Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health and Lincolnshire University, shows that prison inreach teams get £300 in funding for every prisoner in England. This is only about one-third of what they need to offer the same level of service as community mental health services. Short-changed finds that there is wide variation in funding for prison mental health care which cannot be explained by higher costs or different needs between regions.
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Children and Secondhand Smoke - A position statement (29th May 2008)
This joint position statement issued by the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has the message that parents can play a crucial role in protecting their children’s health, simply by not smoking in their presence.
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Alcohol and Public Health - Position statement (3rd June 2008)
The Faculty of Public Health and Association of Directors of Public Health are calling for firm action at both national and local level to address the devastating impact of Britain’s drinking habits.
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PBS Phase 3 Diabetes Population Prevalence Model (May 2008)
The Yorkshire and Humber Public Health Observatory (YHPHO) is the lead Public Health Observatory for diabetes. In 2004, YHPHO was commissioned by the Department of Health, in collaboration with the National Diabetes Support Team, to produce a model that estimates total diabetes prevalence. The third and latest version of the PBS model is now available.
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A Sickle Crisis? A report of the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death 2008 (21st May 2008)
This report on sickle cell disease and thalassaemia provides: a review of current haemoglobinopathy mortality; broad baseline data; and recommendations to alter practice.
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Implementing the National Stroke Strategy - an imaging guide (2nd June 2008)
This guide provides further detail on the recommendations set out in the National Stroke Strategy regarding imaging for transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and stroke. It sets out best practice and provides guidance on how imaging services may develop to provide gold standard TIA and stroke care.
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