ALCOHOL

Alcohol-attributable fractions for England (22nd July 2008)
The most up-to-date review of the relationships between alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms. This report examines the major causes of ill-health and mortality due to alcohol and determines what proportion of cases in England are caused by alcohol. Figures presented include the latest data for levels of hospital admission and number of deaths.
Click here for the Report

ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Modernising allied health professions (AHP) careers: a competence-based career framework (16th July 2008)
The Modernising Allied Health Professions Career (MAHPC) work is a workforce initiative to maximise the contribution AHPs can make to transforming health and social care. There was a need to develop a flexible and responsive approach to allied health professions careers that reflects the diversity of the professions and the location and sectors they work in whilst, at the same time, maximising their potential to contribute to transforming patient care and promoting health and well-being. The web-based tools are not mandatory. However, they will be of value to: commissioners, clinicians and service managers.
Framework
Impact Assessment
Partial Equality Impact Assessment
Web-based tools

ALTERNATIVE/COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE

Report to Ministers from the Department of Health steering group on the statutory regulation of practitioners of acupuncture, herbal medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and other traditional medicine systems practiced in the UK (18th June 2008)
The Department of Health Steering Group was established in summer 2006 by Jane Kennedy, then Minister of State at the Department of Health, and was invited to prepare the ground for the regulation of practitioners of acupuncture, herbal medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and other traditional medicine systems practised in the UK. In particular, the Steering Group was asked to identify issues and propose options in relation to education and training, registration, fitness to practise and other essential aspects of regulation.
Click here for the Report

AMBULANCE TRUSTS

Changing times: Sustaining long-term performance against ‘Call Connect’ for NHS ambulance services (16th July 2008)
This document aims to provide ambulance services with performance improvement tools and best practice examples. Its key purpose is to provide trusts with working solutions that aid sustainable performance improvement against the clock start measurement of 'Call Connect', and helps to enhance the delivery of service to patients through improved quality of care.
Document
Poster - Management information checklist
Poster - Outlining the call management cycle
Poster - Call management cycle algorithm

ANNUAL REPORTS

Monitor Annual Report and Accounts 2007-08 (July 2008)

National Patient Safety Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2007/08 (July 2008)

Commission for Social Care Inspection Annual Report and Accounts 2007-08 (22nd July 2008)
Annual Report
Financial Accounts

First Annual Report of the Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy Service 2007/08 (24th July 2008)

Safe food and healthy eating for all - Food Standards Agency Annual Report 2007/08 (18th July 2008)

Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group Annual Report 2007/08 (16th July 2008)

BULLETINS/NEWSLETTERS

Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: 1 (23rd July 2008)

FSA News No. 79 July 2008 (18th July 2008)

Health Protection Report Vol. 2 No. 29 (18th July 2008)

Health Protection Report Vol. 2 No. 30 (25th July 2008)

CANCER

National Oesophago-gastric Cancer Audit Annual Report 2008 (July 2008)
This is the first annual report from the National Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Audit. The report presents the results of work undertaken by the audit in its first year, which included a pre-audit qualitative study, an analysis of routine data sources and an organizational audit.
Click here for the Report

CARE/CARERS

New Deal for Carers: Task Force Reports (29th July 2008)
Reports from the four Task Forces created to help in developing the Carers' Strategy.
Employment Task Force
Equalities Task Force
Health and Social Care Task Force
Income Task Force

COMMISSIONING

Commissioning a Community COPD Service: Lessons for the NHS based on a case study in Somerset PCT by IMPRESS (June 2008)
To complement the Department of Health’s “Primary Care Trust Procurement Guide for Health Services” IMPRESS (Improving and Integrating Respiratory Services) published this position paper to illustrate the complexities in commissioning and procuring a new service for people with long term conditions.
Position Paper
Dos and don’ts of procurement of community services for people with COPD

Providing care for patients with urological conditions: guidance and resources for commissioners (July 2008)
This new resource published by NHS PCC and developed by the Care Closer to Home Urology sub group is for commissioners to consider and use when commissioning services for people with urological conditions in the community.
Click here for the Guidance

Providing care for patients with skin conditions: guidance and resources for commissioners (July 2008)
This new resource published by NHS PCC and developed by the Dermatology Care Closer to Home Group is for commissioners to consider and use when commissioning services for people with skin conditions in the local health community.
Click here for the Guidance

World Class Commissioning Programme - July update (25th July 2008)

COMMUNITIES

Communities - healthy, strong and prosperous (23rd July 2008)
The Improvement and Development Agency (IdeA) has published a new paper that explores the developmental and service delivery links between the place-shaping role of local government and its health and wellbeing ambitions. The publication is essential reading for: directors of adult social care; directors of public health; local authority and primary care trust (PCT) policy managers; and health and social care professionals.
Click here for the Paper

Preventing Violent Extremism: Next Steps for Communities (25th July 2008)
In April 2007 Communities and Local Government launched our Preventing Violent Extremism: Winning Hearts and Minds action plan. In that document they set out a range of practical actions to mobilise communities against violent extremists. This document reviews the progress to date, celebrates the achievements of local schemes, and sets out their priorities for the coming year.
Click here for the Document

COMMUNITY SAFETY

Delivering safer communities: a guide to crime and disorder reduction partnerships (Originally published in February new to website 16th July 2008)
Crime and criminal behaviour has direct and significant links to the health of local communities – dealing with crime is good health policy. Primary care trusts (PCTs) in England have had legal responsibilities related to the reduction of crime and disorder since 2004. There are some areas of excellent practice, but in general only lip service has been paid to the new regulations. It is important that PCTs take their responsibilities seriously and this Briefing explains how the Home Office’s new document, Delivering safer communities: guidance for crime and disorder reduction partnerships and community safety partnerships, can help them do so. The legal responsibilities also apply to local health boards (LHBs) in Wales.
Click here for the Briefing

Youth Crime Action Plan (15th July 2008)
The youth crime action plan calls for more work to stop children from getting involved in criminality. It calls for cross-governmental work on 3 tracks: get youths off the streets late at night, provide intensive support for troubled families and levy tougher, more visible community payback sentences for young people convicted of crime.
Action Plan
Impact Assessment
Equality Impact Assessment

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Towards a framework for post-registration nursing careers: consultation response report (23rd July 2008)
This document reports on the findings from the post-registration nursing careers consultation, which took place from November 2007 to February 2008. The consultation proposed aligning nurses' careers within five broad pathways. The report discusses the emerging themes from the findings; and outlines the next steps for the work.
Response
Equality Impact Assessment

Strategic review of Department of Health funding of third sector organisations (17th July 2008)
The consultation document described a more strategic approach to DH’s investment in the third sector to be more consistent with its role in the health and social care system. Establishing a clear strategic framework would achieve four objectives; allow more coherent investment; support evaluation of outcomes and benefits; increase value for money; and reinforce the sector's integral role.
Response
Impact Assessment
Equality Impact Assessment

Future of the Standing Dental Advisory Committee: response to consultation (29th July 2008)
The consultation document proposed the abolition of the Standing Dental Advisory Committee (SDAC) in view of the increasing use of bodies like the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), and subject specific committees, for obtaining clinical advice in dentistry.
Click here for the Response

CONSULTATIONS

Safe, Sensible, Social - consultation on further action (22nd July 2008)
The Government’s renewed alcohol strategy, Safe. Sensible. Social (June 2007), outlined national and local action to achieve long-term reductions in alcohol-related ill health and crime. The Government committed to carrying out three reviews of industry practice and then to consult on whether there is a need for further regulation of alcohol retailing. Closing date for comments is 14th October 2008.
Consultation
Impact Assessments
Further Information

Safeguarding children from sexual exploitation (18th July 2008)
This draft guidance aims to provide practitioners across all relevant agencies and the voluntary and community sector with information about different forms of sexual exploitation to help them identify and safeguard children and young people who are at risk of sexual exploitation, or who are being sexually exploited. It will replace the current guidance, Children involved in Prostitution, issued in 2000 and will be supplementary guidance to Working Together to Safeguard Children (HMG 2006). Closing date for comments is 10th October 2008.
Consultation

Removing or suspending chairs and non-executives of health bodies: consultation on introducing new powers of suspension (17th July 2008)
This is a consultation document on proposals to introduce powers of suspension, and a single approach to the removal of chairs and non-executives of Strategic Health Authorities and other health bodies. The consultation on removing or suspending chairs and non-executives of Health Bodies sets out a single approach to considering whether and if so how, a chair or non-executive member of a Strategic Health Authority (SHA), Special Health Authority (SpHA) or Health Body 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, as well as proposals for temporary non-executive member(s) or director(s) to be appointed during the period of suspension. Closing date for comments is 9th October 2008.
Consultation
Impact Assessment

The Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) Draft Regulations 2008: a paper for consultation (23rd July 2008)
The Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) is a UK-wide body, accountable to Parliament for ensuring best practice and harmonisation in the regulation of healthcare professions. It was created in legislation in 2002 and has been operational since April 2003. The recent Health and Social Care Act amends the governance and functions of CHRE and its reformed council. The draft regulations attached to this paper lay out proposals around the membership of the reformed CHRE Council. These provide details of the terms of office of council members, criteria for the disqualification, suspension or removal of members from office, committees appointed by the Council, and transitional arrangements in terms of appointments. Closing date for comments is 16th September 2008.
Consultation
Draft Regulations
Impact Assessment
Response Form

Responsible officers and their duties relating to the medical profession (23rd July 2008)
The White Paper 'Trust, Assurance and Safety' set out an ambitious programme for the reform of professional regulation including the creation of responsible officers. These will be senior doctors with personal responsibility for evaluating the conduct and performance of doctors and making recommendations on their fitness to practise as part of revalidation. The Health and Social Care Act 2008 sets out the legal basis for responsible officers enabling secondary legislation to set out the detail. This consultation seeks your views on what should be included in that secondary legislation. An expert group representing a wide range of interests including patient, NHS and professional organisations developed the proposals in the document. The consultation is being held on a UK wide basis, although regulations may be different in different parts of the UK. This is explained in the document. The closing date for comments is 24th October 2008.
Consultation
Impact Assessment
Equality Impact Assessment

No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility (22nd July 2008)
“No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility” is a wide ranging consultation on the future of welfare. The Green Paper sets out plans for improving support and work incentives to create a system that rewards responsibility. The majority of people of working age – who can work now or at some point in the future – and their families will no longer be on benefits for life. There will also be greater choice and control over the support that is provided. Closing date for comments is 22nd October 2008.
Consultation
Consultation Questions
Impact Assessment
Case Studies
Consultation Toolkit

DIET/NUTRITION

Consumer Attitudes Survey 2007: UK report (17th July 2008)
The Food Standards Agency has carried out qualitative research to find out more about how people’s eating habits are determined by their attitudes towards food and health, rather than by other demographic characteristics, such as age and gender.
Click here for the Report

DISABILITIES

Aiming high for disabled children: short breaks implementation guidance (21st July 2008)
Guidance has now been published to support the provision of Short Breaks over the next three years. It should be read in conjunction with other resources for the Aiming High for Disabled Children (AHDC programme). PCTs should consider this guidance in shaping their response to the 2008-09 NHS Operating Framework priorities.
Guidance
Associated documents

DISADVANTAGE

Transforming disadvantaged places: effective strategies for places and people (25th July 2008)
Approaching poverty and deprivation in the context of place is an increasing focus of regeneration policy. How can integration be strengthened between social and economic interventions for deprived places, and what are the key challenges to more effective delivery?
Click here for the Report

DOCTORS

Medical revalidation - principles and next steps: the Report of the Chief Medical Officer for England’s Working Group (23rd July 2008)
This report, by an expert working group chaired by Sir Liam Donaldson, set out the principles and next steps for implementing revalidation in the United Kingdom. It is based on wide-ranging discussions of the proposals in the Government White Paper, 'Trust, assurance and safety - the regulation of health professionals in the 21st century'. A new revalidation system is being established in response to concerns raised by the Shipman inquiry, and the inquiries into the conduct of a number of other doctors. In future, doctors will be required to demonstrate to the General Medical Council that they are up-to-date, and fit to practise medicine. Doctors who take part in revalidation will be granted a license to practise, and will be reassessed every five years.
Click here for the Report

Review of the readiness of appraisal and clinical governance to support the relicensure of doctors (23rd July 2008)
The Department of Health and the General Medical Council jointly commissioned KPMG to undertake a review of the state of readiness of clinical governance and medical appraisal to support the implementation of medical relicensure, the process by which doctors would (or would not) receive a licence at five-yearly intervals, allowing them to continue to practise medicine in the UK.
Click here for the Review

Acting as an Expert Witness (25th July 2008)
This new guidance, published by the General Medical Council (GMC), is for doctors who act as expert witnesses in court and tribunal proceedings.
Click here for the Guidance

ELDERLY/OLDER PEOPLE

Older People and Wellbeing (24th July 2008)
Although the UK population is living longer and is in better health than ever, older people are not getting any happier. There is some evidence that older people may be becoming decreasingly satisfied, lonelier and more depressed and, due to demographic changes, there are increasing numbers of older people, many of whom are living with low levels of life satisfaction and wellbeing. This is particularly so if you are poor, isolated, in ill health, living alone, in unfit housing or rundown neighbourhoods and worse still if you are a carer or living in a care home: and all of these risk factors apply to a large proportion of the UK’s older population. This report, the first in a series on older people and wellbeing from ippr, describes some of the key social trends in the UK and assesses how these may be impacting on older people and their wellbeing.
Click here for the Report

FOUNDATION TRUSTS

Membership Governance in NHS Foundation Trusts: A review for the Department of Health (21st July 2008)
In June 2007, the Department of Health commissioned two external organisations – Mutuo and the University of Birmingham, to lead on an independent review on behalf of Ministers into membership governance in NHS foundations trusts (NHS FTs). The main focus of the review centres around the experience of creating a membership, establishing a board of governors and deciding how best to use members and governors. Supporting material was obtained from Monitor, the Foundation Trust Network and the Department of Health, however, Mutuo and the University of Birmingham are alone responsible for the draft. The review is intended to be an easy to read study into membership governance, setting out the origins of NHS FTs, the review’s findings and a number of conclusions. Ministers have welcomed the review as a constructive contribution to discussion of governance arrangements in NHS foundation trusts.
Click here for the Review

GENERAL PRACTICE

Good Medical Practice for General Practitioners (23rd July 2008)
The central document underpinning the process of revalidation was launched today jointly by the RCGP and the General Practitioners Committee with endorsement from the General Medical Council. Mapped to the GMC’s Good Medical Practice, the document has been updated to set out the standards expected in revalidation – and to help support GPs through the process.
Click here for the Document

GUIDANCE/GUIDELINES

Confidence in Caring: a framework for best practice (21st July 2008)
In a rapidly changing world it is vital that nursing continues to command the confidence and trust of patients. For the growing numbers of older people admitted to our busy hospital wards this is determined by the whole care experience; yet we constantly hear of deficiencies in caring. Confidence in caring developed in response to this. It emerged from a national project with patients, relatives and staff in several hospitals across the country; it aimed to help nurses meet the many challenges of caring today and put the values and ideals on which nursing is founded, into practice. Confidence in caring offers a shared language and shared understanding of what caring means for older people and describes what caring looks like so that it can be observed, improved and rewarded.
Click here for the Framework

HEALTHCARE COMMISSION

Are we choosing health? The impact of policy on the delivery of health improvement programmes and services (15th July 2008)
Two independent watchdogs are today (Wednesday) calling for a renewed drive to improve public health services after analysing the success of policies over the past decade. A new report by the Healthcare Commission and Audit Commission assesses the impact government policy has had on: narrowing health inequalities; improving sexual and mental health; and reducing smoking, alcohol misuse and obesity. It finds the government’s ambitious public health programme has helped significantly improve overall life expectancy and reduce mortality from the big killers. Between 1996 and 2006, premature deaths in under-75s from circulatory diseases fell 45 percent and those from cancer dropped 15 percent.
Click here for the Report

The pathway to recovery. A review of NHS acute inpatient mental health services (23rd July 2008)
The Healthcare Commission today (Wednesday) said the quality of the services varied widely across the country as it published the most comprehensive assessment of NHS acute inpatient mental health services ever undertaken. The Commission assessed all 69 NHS trusts providing acute inpatient mental health services in England. This covered 554 wards providing almost 10,000 beds for patients between the ages of 18 and 65. Overall, eight trusts were rated as “excellent” (accounting for 843 beds – 9%), 20 as “good” (2,808 beds – 28%), 30 as “fair” (3,985 beds – 40%) and 11 as “weak” (2,249 beds – 23%).
Click here for the Report

HOUSING

Commissioning housing support for health and wellbeing (25th July 2008)
This publication has been commissioned by the Integrated Care Network (ICN) at the Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP), together with Communities and Local Government and the Department of Health (DH). It builds on the recent guide from the ICN, A Practical Guide to Integrated Working, which is recommended as a companion to this publication. This report contains: Explanations of what housing-related services are and what funding streams and national programmes they sit within; Evidence that these services can offer cost-effective mechanisms for promoting health, independence and wellbeing; while reducing demand for costly services.
Commissioning housing support for health and wellbeing
A Practical Guide to Integrated Working

Housing market recessions and sustainable home-ownership (16th July 2008)
This round-up considers how the government might respond to housing market recessions in the short term, and what longer-term measures it might take to promote sustainability through the housing market cycle. The authors ask what lessons can be learned from past experiences that could inform the current period of instability.
Click here for the Publication

IMMIGRATION/MIGRATION

Immigration and Social Cohesion in the UK: The rhythms and realities of everyday life (21st July 2008)
This study is about understanding the relationship between recent immigration and social cohesion in the context of other social and economic transformations that affect everyday life for everyone living in the UK. Current public debates often associate increasing ethnic diversity resulting from immigration with the erosion of social cohesion. This research suggests that issues of deprivation, disadvantage and long-term marginalisation, unrelated to immigration, must also be considered – as well as how people relate to each other – to ensure social cohesion.
Click here for the Report
Click here for the Findings

IMMUNISATION

Introduction of HPV vaccination into the National Immunisation Programme: vaccination of 17-18 year old young women in 2008/09 (25th July 2008)
This letter provides information about the extension of the HPV (human papillomavirus)vaccination programme to young women aged 17-18, and the additional finance to support the implementation of the programme. Additional details and guidance are provided in the Annex to the letter.
Click here for details

LOCAL AUTHORITY/GOVERNMENT

Halton Borough Council - corporate assessment (22nd July 2008)
According to an independent report released today by the Audit Commission, Halton Borough Council is performing strongly. The purpose of the corporate assessment is to assess how well the Council engages with and leads its communities, delivers community priorities in partnership with others, and ensures continuous improvement across the range of Council activities.
Click here for the Report

Don’t stop me now - preparing for an ageing population (17th July 2008)
This report looks at the challenges and opportunities facing England as its population gets older. It aims to help local public services adapt to the needs of an older and more diverse society, and identifies solutions that can be implemented quickly, as well as exploring how councils should plan strategically for the wider challenges ahead.
Click here for the Report

MEDICINES

The Health Service Branded Medicines (Control of Prices and Supply of Information Regulations 2008 (24th July 2008)
Several Health Services Medicines Regulations have been made under sections 260 to 266 of the National Health Service Act 2006.
Click here for the Regulations

MENTAL HEALTH

A report on the development of a mental health currency model, (including suggestions on the development and testing of PbR tariffs) (16th July 2008)
This document arises from a series of meetings between the three authors during the six months from October 2007, through March 2008. The authors are all engaged in work leading to the development of mental health PbR currencies and tariffs.
Click here for the Document

Review of prescription of anti-psychotic drugs to people with dementia: terms of reference (19th July 2008)
On 19 June 2008, Health Minister Ivan Lewis outlined proposals to improve the quality of dementia care and provide more help for people with dementia, as he launched a consultation on the first ever National Dementia Strategy. That announcement covered a number of immediate actions, as well as other proposals which will be consulted on over the coming months, including an immediate review into the prescribing and use of anti-psychotic drugs to treat sufferers of dementia. This review will be completed before the publication of the National Dementia Strategy in the autumn of 2008.
Terms of Reference

Stigma Shout - service user and carer experiences of stigma and discrimination (21st July 2008)
Nearly 4000 people affected by mental health problems across England took part in Stigma Shout the largest ever survey about stigma and discrimination. 87% of people said they had direct personal experience of stigma and discrimination. Stigma Shout is a unique piece of research that is helping to shape the Moving People programme, and in particular the national anti-stigma marketing campaign.
Click here for the Report

While we are waiting. Experiences of waiting for and receiving psychological therapies on the NHS (24th July 2008)
A group of leading mental health charities has today published a report which says that the lives of those stuck on long NHS waiting lists for psychological treatments are being damaged as a result. Mental health problems can worsen, relationships can break down and some people are forced to take time off from work - or give up a job completely.
Click here for the Report

Evening the Odds. Employment Support, Mental Health and Black and Minority Ethnic Communities (Briefing 35) (17th July 2008)
People from Black and minority ethnic communities are less likely to use employment support services and less likely to succeed in gaining employment than their white British peers. Specialist mental health employment support staff need to adopt an evidence-based approach with the capacity to address issues of racism and stigma. This briefing suggests some targeted actions that might help to make change happen.
Click here for the Briefing

Improving the mental health and psychological well-being of children and young people. National CAMHS Review Interim Report (29th July 2008)
There have been notable improvements in how services promote and protect the psychological health and wellbeing of our children and young people, but there is still a great deal more to do, according to the interim report from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Review published today. The Review, Chaired by Jo Davidson, Group Director of Children and Young People's Services at Gloucestershire County Council, has identified six main areas for future recommendations.
Interim Report
Terms of Reference
Flyer

Integrated Packages Approach to Care (InPAC): CDST (Clinical Decision Support Tool) - adults of working age and older people mental health services (28th July 2008)
The CDST is comprised of a set of clinically meaningful Care Clusters each containing service users who are relatively similar in their care needs and therefore resource requirements. For each care cluster a standardised care package has been developed that describes those care activities required to meet the needs of people in that cluster. The InPAC manual supports the use of the CDST.
CDST
InPAC manual

NHS

A Framework for the Performance Management of High Security Hospitals (published 1st April 2008 new to website 24th July 2008)
This framework describes the structure and mechanisms by which the maintenance of the Secretary of State’s 'Line of Sight' to high security hospitals should be discharged by Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs). The quarterly performance spreadsheet describes the data which is collected quarterly to inform SHAs' performance management of the hospitals.
Framework
Quarterly Performance Template

Engagement analysis: NHS next stage review. What we heard from the ‘Our NHS, our future’ process (28th July 2008)
The 'Our NHS, our future' NHS next stage review, actively engaged, involved and solicited the views of patients, public, staff and stakeholders. A variety of mechanisms were used to engage over 60,000 participants. The report set out a summary of responses received.
Click here for the Report

High Quality Care for All: Briefing on NHS Next Stage Review final report (16th July 2008)
This briefing provides The King’s Fund’s analysis of the key themes explored in Higher Quality Care For All, the final report from Lord Darzi's NHS Next Stage Review.
Click here for the Briefing

NICE

Social Value Judgements - principles for the development of NICE guidance (2nd edition) (July 2008)
This document describes the principles that NICE should follow in designing the processes it uses to develop its guidance (recommendations), and in developing individual pieces of guidance. It is mainly about the judgements that NICE and its advisory bodies should apply when making decisions about the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of interventions, especially where such decisions affect the allocation of NHS resources.
Click here for the Document

Report on NICE Citizens Council meeting - Quality Adjusted Life years (QALYs) and the severity of illness 31st January - 2nd February 2008 (18th July 2008)
This is the Council's report of its January 2008 meeting, at which it was asked by NICE's Board to discuss the following question: Should NICE and its advisory bodies take into account the severity of a disease when making decisions? If yes, should the advisory committees: take severity "into consideration" alongside the cost and clinical effectiveness evidence; or should severity be included in the calculation of the QALY? The Council's report on this question will be presented to the Board in September 2008. In the meantime, comments on the report are invited from stakeholders in NICE's work, members of NICE advisory bodies and members of the wider public. If you should have any comments, please send them to Clifford Middleton at clifford.middleton@nice.org.uk or NICE, MidCity Place, 71 High Holborn, London WC1V 6NA by 5pm on Friday, 15 August 2008.
Click here for the Report

The diagnosis and acute management of stroke and transient ischaemic attacks Clinical Guideline CG68 (23rd July 2008)
The advice in the NICE guideline covers: how healthcare professionals should recognise the symptoms of a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and make a diagnosis quickly; when people should have a brain scan and other types of scan; specialist care for people in the first 2 weeks after a stroke; drug treatments for people who have had a stroke; surgery for people who have had a stroke.
NICE Guideline
Full Guideline
Algorithm 1 (TIA Pathway)
Algorithm 2 (Stroke Pathway)
Quick Reference Guide
Understanding NICE Guidance
Costing Template
Costing Report

Prescribing of antibiotics for self-limiting respiratory tract infections in adults and children in primary care Clinical Guideline CG69 (23rd July 2008)
This guidance is about the care and treatment of people with respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in the NHS in England and Wales. It explains guidance (advice) from NICE (the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence). It is written for adults and parents of children aged 3 months and older, but it may also be useful for families or carers or for anyone with an interest in the condition.
Full Guideline
Quick Reference Guide
Appendices
Understanding NICE Guidance
Costing Template
Costing Report

Induction of labour Clinical Guideline CG70 (23rd July 2008)
This guidance is an update of NICE inherited clinical guideline D (published in June 2001) and will replace it.
NICE Guidance
Full Guideline
Quick Reference Guide
Search Strategies
Evidence Tables
Understanding NICE Guidance
Costing Statement

Diabetes in pregnancy: management of diabetes and its complications from pre-conception to the postnatal period Clinical Guideline CG63 (23rd July 2008)
Since publication in March 2008, the information on the therapeutic indications, contraindications and use in pregnancy and lactation of drugs used in diabetes management and retinal assessment (specifically insulins, the oral hypoglycaemic agents metformin and glibenclamide, and tropicamide) has been corrected to follow the relevant summaries of product characteristics (SPCs) (July 2008). Changes have been made to the NICE guideline, the full guideline and the quick reference guide. The recommendation on the use of the rapid-acting insulin analogues aspart and lispro in pregnant women with diabetes (recommendation 1.1.6.2) is now as follows: Healthcare professionals should be aware that data from clinical trials and other sources do not suggest that the rapid-acting insulin analogues (aspart and lispro) adversely affect the pregnancy or the health of the fetus or newborn baby.
NICE Guideline (reissued)
Full Guideline (reissued)
Quick Reference Guide (reissued)

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion for the treatment of diabetes (review) Technology Appraisal TA151 (23rd July 2008)
This guidance replaces NICE technology appraisal guidance 57 issued in February 2003. The review and re-appraisal of the use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion for the treatment of diabetes mellitus has resulted in a change in the guidance. Specifically there has been a change to the recommendation on the use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in children younger than 12 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Guidance
Quick Reference Guide
Understanding NICE Guidance
Audit Support

Drug-eluting stents for the treatment of coronary artery disease Technology Appraisal TA152 (23rd July 2008)
Drug-eluting stents are recommended as a possible treatment for people with coronary artery disease only if: the artery to be treated is less than 3 mm in diameter or the affected section of the artery is longer than 15 mm, and the additional cost of the drug-eluting stents over bare-metal stents is £300 or less. This guidance replaces sections 1.2-1.4 of NICE technology appraisal guidance 71 (2003).
Guidance
Quick Reference Guide
Understanding NICE Guidance
Cost Template

Guidance on preventing the uptake of smoking by children and young people Public Health Intervention Guidance PH14 (23rd July 2008)
This guidance is for all those with a remit to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people under 18. This includes those working in the NHS, local authorities, the criminal justice system and the wider public, voluntary and community sectors. It is also aimed at the private sector, in particular the retail industry and mass-media services. In addition, it may be of interest to children, young people and their carers, as well as other members of the public.
Full Guidance
Quick Reference Guide (professionals)
Quick Reference Guide (public)

Brachytherapy as the sole method of adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer after local excision Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG268 (23rd July 2008)
Treatment for breast cancer usually involves surgery to remove part or all of the breast. This is sometimes followed by radiotherapy, particularly if only part of the breast has been removed. Brachytherapy is a type of radiotherapy in which a radiation source is placed inside the body area to be treated. It typically involves the insertion of radioactive implants into the space in the breast where tissue has been removed. The implants are usually in place for one to five days. The aim of the procedure is to minimise the chance of the cancer recurring.
Guidance
Understanding NICE Guidance
Consultation Comments

Direct Skeletal fixation of limb or digit prostheses using intraosseous transcutanious implants Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG270 (23rd July 2008)
If a leg, arm, finger or thumb has had to be amputated, or is missing at birth, an artificial substitute (known as a prosthetic limb or prosthesis) may be fitted. Prosthetic limbs usually have a socket and are held in place either by suction or by being strapped to the stump of the missing limb. In this procedure, a metal implant is inserted through the skin and into the centre of the bone of the stump. A prosthetic limb is then attached to the metal implant. The aim is to produce a more comfortable and securely attached prosthetic limb.
Guidance
Understanding NICE Guidance

Audit Support

Laparoscopic gastrectomy for cancer Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG269 (23rd July 2008)
Cancer of the stomach can be treated by partial or total removal of the stomach (gastrectomy) to take out the tumour and any affected lymph nodes. Gastrectomy was traditionally carried out by open surgery. In this procedure, the gastrectomy is performed using keyhole surgery, the cancer is then removed in exactly the same way as open surgery.
Guidance
Understanding NICE Guidance
Consultation Comments

Rheumatoid Arthritis - adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab (sequential use): final appraisal determination (21st July 2008)
After considering the feedback from consultation, the Appraisal Committee has prepared a Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) on the sequential use of adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis 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 1 August 2008.
Final Appraisal Determination
Response to consultee, commentator and public comments
Consultee and commentator comments

Autologous blood injection for refractory tendonitis (interventional procedures consultation) (28th July 2008)
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is examining autologous blood injection for tendonitis and will publish guidance on its safety and efficacy to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Institute's Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered the available evidence and the views of Specialist Advisers, who are consultants with knowledge of the procedure. The Advisory Committee has made provisional recommendations about autologous blood injection for tendonitis. Closing date for comments is 26th August 2008.
Consultation

Laparoscopic prostatectomy for benign prostatic obstruction (interventional procedures consultation) (28th July 2008)
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is examining laparoscopic prostatectomy for benign prostatic obstruction and will publish guidance on its safety and efficacy to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Institute's Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered the available evidence and the views of Specialist Advisers, who are consultants with knowledge of the procedure. The Advisory Committee has made provisional recommendations about laparoscopic prostatectomy for benign prostatic obstruction. Closing date for comments is 26th August 2008.
Consultation

Occipital nerve stimulation for intractable headache (interventional procedures consultation) (28th July 2008)
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is examining occipital nerve stimulation for intractable headache and will publish guidance on its safety and efficacy to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Institute's Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered the available evidence and the views of Specialist Advisers, who are consultants with knowledge of the procedure. The Advisory Committee has made provisional recommendations about occipital nerve stimulation for intractable headache. Closing date for comments is 26th August 2008.
Consultation

Ultrasound-guided regional nerve block (interventional procedures consultation) (28th July 2008)
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is examining ultrasound-guided regional nerve block and will publish guidance on its safety and efficacy to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Institute's Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered the available evidence and the views of Specialist Advisers, who are consultants with knowledge of the procedure. The Advisory Committee has made provisional recommendations about ultrasound-guided regional nerve block. Closing date for comments is 26th August 2008.
Consultation

NURSING/MIDWIFERY

Framing the nursing and midwifery contribution: driving up the quality of care (23rd July 2008)
This report summarises the contribution of nurses and midwives, which was outlined in 'High quality care for all: NHS next stage review'. This document sets out a direction of travel for the professions. The Department of Health welcome comments on the ideas that they have set out here, and they would like to engage further with stakeholders to take the work forward; including considering the priorities and the resources and other implications of any future work. They will do this through the professional networks that already exist, and other stakeholders.
Click here for the Report

PALLIATIVE CARE/END OF LIFE CARE

End of Life Care Strategy - promoting high quality care for all adults at the end of life (16th July 2008)
The Government has published the End of Life Care Strategy - promoting high quality care for all adults at the end of life which is the first for the UK and covers adults in England. Its aim is to provide people approaching the end of life with more choice about where they would like to live and die. It encompasses all adults with advanced, progressive illness and care given in all settings. The strategy has been developed by an expert advisory board chaired by Professor Mike Richards, National Cancer Director, and including key stakeholders from statutory health, social care, third sector organisations, professional and academic organisations. The strategy has been informed and shaped by the work on end of life care undertaken by strategic health authorities for the NHS Next Stage Review.
Strategy
Executive Summary
Impact Assessment
Results of PCT survey on expenditure
Bibliography
End of Life Care Strategy advisory board and working group members
Presentation in PowerPoint
Presentation in PDF

PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Business and Enterprise Committee - Energy prices, fuel poverty and Ofgem - Eleventh Report of Session 2007-08 (28th July 2008)
Vol. I
Vol. II

PHARMACY

NHS Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework Enhanced Service - Chlamydia screening and treatment (July 2008)
A national template for the service specification for chlamydia screening to support PCTs' commissioning of a locally commissioned enhanced service has been developed. This template will help to ensure that young people can be confident of a consistent high quality level of service.

Click here for the Template

PRIMARY CARE TRUSTS

NHS Brand Guidelines - Primary Care Trusts new guidance (July 2008)
Following consultation with primary care trusts (PCTs) and other stakeholders and the publication of Lord Darzi’s NHS Next Stage Review report PCTs may now choose to present themselves as NHS ‘Local/Anyshire’ rather than ‘Local/Anyshire’ Primary Care Trust. This is to better reflect their increasing role as local leaders of the NHS and the need to play a greater public facing role and engage their local populations.
Click here for Guidelines

PUBLIC SERVICES

Person-centred support: What service users and practitioners say (23rd July 2008)
This study examines person-centred support, a key new concern in public services. It does this by bringing together for the first time the views, ideas and experience of service users, face to face practitioners and managers. Government is committed to ‘personalisation’, ‘self-directed support’ and ‘individual budgets’ in social care, aiming for increased choice and control for the people who use services. This is a move away from traditional, 'one-size-fits-all' approaches.
Click here for the Report
Click here for the Findings

RURAL

Living Working Countryside: The Taylor Review of Rural Economy and Affordable Housing (23rd July 2008)
The Prime Minister asked Matthew Taylor, MP for Truro and St Austell, to conduct a review on how land use and planning can better support rural business and deliver affordable housing. This Review was presented to Government on 23 July 2008. As part of the Review a Call for Evidence was launched seeking the views from a wide range of stakeholders, and ran for 12 weeks from 17 December 2007 to 7 March 2008. This generated a total of 278 submissions from organisations and individuals across the country.
Living Working Countryside
Call for Evidence

SEXUAL HEALTH

Independent Advisory Group Review of the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV (28th July 2008)
This report outlines what has been achieved and addresses the key barriers which have impeded implementation. Most importantly, it recommends a wide-ranging set of actions required at national, regional and local level to respond to the new operating environment and drive further improvements.
Click here for the Report

SOCIAL MARKETING

Social marketing: everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask (July 2008)
These are the presentations from this event that was held on 16th July 2008 at the Stobart Stadium, Widnes.
Programme
The New Black?
Snack Right
Using Social Marketing to avoid waste

STATISTICS

Crime in England and Wales 2007/08 (17th July 2008)

Quarterly Reporting Results for Clostridium difficile infections, MRSA bacteraemia and GRE bacteraemia July 2008 (17th July 2008)

Referral to treatment statistics (admitted patients, non-admitted patients and incomplete RTT times) May 2008 (24th July 2008)
Commissioner based
Provider based

Monthly Digest of Statistics July 2008 (25th July 2008)

Drug Use, Smoking and Drinking among young people in England 2007 (17th July 2008)
Full report
Summary

GP Patient Survey 2007/08 (16th July 2008)

Labour Market Statistics - July 2008 (16th July 2008)

Regional Labour Market Statistics - July 2008 (16th July 2008)

STROKE

National clinical guidelines for stroke (3rd edition) (July 2008)
The third edition of these guidelines, by the Royal College of Physicians, is now available to purchase. Since the last edition in 2004 the recommendations have been revised to include the most up-to-date evidence.
Click here for more information

TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Bournemouth cuts teen pregnancy rates (16th July 2008)
Reducing teenage pregnancy is proving a struggle. Despite the government making it a high priority issue, England still has one of the highest rates in Western Europe. But the coastal town of Bournemouth is leading the way. With an innovative range of measures, dramatic falls in unwanted conceptions have been recorded.
Click here for information

VOLUNTEERING

Health Check - a practical guide to assessing the impact of volunteering in the NHS (24th July 2008)
A new report on a pilot study by Volunteering England, has been published which assesses the impact of volunteering within NHS Trusts. The pilot took place in five Trusts across England - Sussex Partnership Trust. Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Wirral Primary Care Trust and Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust.
Click here for the Report
Click here for the Summary