Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 ( 27th November 2008)
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 received Royal Assent on 13 November 2008.
Act
The health of our hospitals revealed - Hospital Guide 2008 (November 2008)
Dr Foster reveals the health of our hospitals in the annual Hospital Guide. This year’s report focuses on three dimensions of quality: patient safety, effectiveness of care and patient experience. Key findings include: market reforms beginning to bite in the NHS; another year where overall mortality ratios have fallen; wide variations in access to cancer treatments and more.
Hospital Guide
The impact of alcohol in Greater Manchester: quarterly report November 2008 (1st December 2008)
This report identifies available alcohol intelligence across Greater Manchester.
Report
Opinions on the impact of alcohol on individuals and communities: early summary findings from the NorthWest Big Drink Debate (5th December 2008)
Opinions on the impact of alcohol on individuals and communities: early summary findings from the NorthWest Big Drink Debate.
Findings
Cancer reform strategy: maintaining momentum, building for the future - first annual report on progress (1st December 2008)
In the first annual report of the Cancer Reform Strategy, Professor Mike Richards, the National Cancer Director, sets out the considerable amount of progress made in implementing the strategy since its publication in December 2007. The report covers the wide range of actions that were set out in the strategy, highlighting areas of particular progress and setting out a range of priorities for the future.
Cover letter Annual Report
Health partnerships: annual report 2007/08, DH International (28th November 2008)
DH International is the specialist team supporting health initiatives overseas, working in partnership with all major stakeholders. DH International sits within the Department of Health’s International Division, which has overall responsibility for the strategic direction of the Department’s global and EU business.
Report
Monitoring poverty and social exclusion 2008 (8th December 2008)
This is the tenth anniversary of MPSE annual reports, which provide an independent assessment of the progress being made in eliminating poverty and social exclusion in Britain. This report uses official government data from a wide range of sources, and is built around a set of 50 indicators. The analysis covers the full range of issues, including material on low income, work, qualifications, health, housing, and exclusion from services. A major theme of this year’s report is comparing progress over the first five years of this government with the most recent five.
Report
Summary
Cancer Incidence by Deprivation England, 1995-2004 (2nd December 2008)
This report, published by the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN), provided analyses for patients diagnosed in two five-year time periods 1995-99 and 2000-04 for 23 of the more common cancer sites or groups, and for an overall grouping of all malignancies combined (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer). Analyses are presented showing the relationship between the incidence of each cancer or cancer group and the relative socio-economic deprivation for males, females and both sexes combined.
Report
Going further on cancer waits (2nd December 2008)
This communication from Mike Richards, National Cancer Director, is targeted at professional colleagues, to explain the new standards for cancer waiting times that come into force on 1 January 2009; and the associated changes in the methodology for collecting and reporting data on those standards.
Information
Integrated Care: Lessons from Evidence and Experience. Report of the 2008 Sir Roger Bannister Annual Health Seminar (21st November 2008)
With an aging population and an increasing prevalence of chronic disease, ever more people require care and support services from organisations that cross the boundaries of health, social care, housing and voluntary organisations. This paper, from The Nuffield Trust, summarises the discussions made by the main speakers at the seminar that was held on the subject of integrated care for people with chronic disease.
Report
Do you recognise pain in someone with a learning difficulty and dementia? (27th November 2008)
A set of resources (from Joseph Rowntree Foundation) to help care staff, GPs and carers to recognise and treat pain in people who have a learning difficulty and dementia. People with learning difficulties are living longer, which means they are more likely to develop the conditions of older age, such as dementia. Someone with a learning difficulty and dementia may not be able to communicate that they are in pain and it can be ignored or mistaken for challenging behaviour.
Poster
Factsheet
Guide for GPs
Guide for care staff and carers
Seeing the person in the patient. The Point of Care Review Paper (December 2008)
The Point of Care programme has been set up to transform patients’ experience of care in hospital, and to enable health care staff to deliver high-quality care. Based on existing research and qualitative studies with patients and families, hospital staff and board members, this report looks at some of the problems that patients experience with their care and at the factors that shape that experience. Assessing the evidence to support various interventions, the King’s Fund suggest initiatives that have the potential to create sustainable change in patients’ care.
Report
Child Protection and the Ofsted Joint Area Review report on safeguarding of children in Haringey (1st December 2008)
Statement in covering letter from David Nicholson on child protection and the Ofsted Joint Area Review report on safeguarding of children in Haringey
Letter
Review
Practice-based Commissioning: Reinvigorate, replace or abandon? (November 2008)
Practice-based commissioning (PBC) is one of the cornerstones of health policy reform, but has it delivered its intended benefits? Its objectives were to encourage clinical engagement in service redesign and development, improve services for patients and make better use of resources. Through in-depth interviews with GPs, hospital and primary care trust staff in four sites, this report assesses the progress of PBC and identifies the barriers that are limiting success. Using the evidence from the four case studies and from previous research, it suggests ways forward for policy-makers.
Report
Commissioning and Behaviour Change. Kicking Bad Habits Final Report (8th December 2008)
Unhealthy behaviours – smoking, alcohol misuse, poor diet, lack of exercise – lead to ill health, with resulting costs to individuals, to the NHS and to society as a whole. PCTs are expected to commission support to help people change their behaviour to adopt more health lifestyles – but what should that support be? The Kicking Bad Habits programme was launched to identify effective interventions. Drawing on a series of working papers and seminars, this report assesses existing and innovative methods the health service can use to persuade people to adopt more healthy lifestyles, including providing information, personal support and financial and other incentives.
Report
Practice-based Commissioning Development Framework (1st December 2008)
The Department of Health has established a PBC Development Framework, which SHAs, PCTs and practice-based commissioners (PBCs) can now use to appoint appropriately skilled organisations to provide a range of PBC capability development support.
Framework
Driven by Dogma? Outsourcing in the health service (5th December 2008)
This report, published by the Office for Public Management (OPM), draws on the experiences of NHS senior managers and commissioners to highlight the complexity of the commissioning process and the problems of coping with the mountains of bureaucracy and paperwork attached to it.
Report
Safe. Sensible. Social. Consultation on further action: Consultation Report - December 2008 (3rd December 2008)
Government consulted between July - October 2008 on whether to strengthen standards for the responsible production and sale of alcohol, and on whether the NHS could improve advice and support for those that need it. A summary of responses to the consultation has been published.
Response
Original Consultation
Consultation on the future of tobacco control: consultation report: December 2008 (9th December 2008)
The Department of Health published a consultation paper entitled 'Consultation on the future of tobacco control', on 31 May 2008. This consultation was the first step in developing a new national tobacco control strategy. The consultation closed on 8 September and this report summarises the responses which were received. It aims to provide a representative summary of all the responses, drawing out key themes and messages. The consultation report has been provided to Ministers to support their decision-making on future tobacco control policy.
Response
Original Consultation
Reform of health and social care complaints: proposed changes to the legislative framework (5th December 2008)
The complaints arrangements for health and social care are being reformed. Successive reports have found that some complaints take too long to resolve and services do not systematically try to learn from the important feedback that complaints offer. In addition, there is strong evidence that some people do not complain because they either do not know how to or believe doing so will not result in any action. There has been ongoing consultation about these plans since the launch of the 'Making Experiences Count' consultation in June 2007. Closing date for comments is 6th January 2009.
Consultation document
Feedback form
Feedback events
Making experience count - response to consultation
The future of the healthcare science workforce. Modernising scientific careers, the next steps: a consultation (26th November 2008)
This consultation document sets out proposals to transform the future training and career pathways of the healthcare science workforce. These proposals have been developed as the result of detailed discussions with nearly 3,000 stakeholders. This UK initiative will be taken forward by the four countries in partnership with all major stakeholders, including patient groups, to ensure that the healthcare science workforce is fit for the future in a rapidly changing and evolving healthcare environment. Closing date for comments is 6th March 2009.
Consultation document
Impact assessment
MSC online questionnaire
The Health and Safety of Great Britain/Be part of the solution (3rd December 2008)
Health and Safety Executive are running a consultation process on their new strategy. The strategy is looking at the following key areas: need for strong leadership; building competence; involving the workforce; creating healthier, safer workplaces; customising support for SMEs; avoiding catastrophe; and taking a wider perspective. The closing date for comments is 2nd March 2009.
Consultation document
Response Form
Preparing for our ageing society - a discussion paper (25th November 2008)
Within 20 years half of the adult UK population will be over 50. One in four children born today will live beyond 100. These are dramatic shifts that have far-reaching consequences for us all, and our ageing population will change our society in many ways. This discussion paper (from the Department for Work and Pensions), and a series of associated public discussion events, are part of the first stage of a review of the Government’s strategy for meeting the challenges of our ageing society. The next step will be the publication of a more detailed set of ideas in Spring 2009. The DWP want to discuss the issues to be addressed in the strategy and give you the opportunity to tell them what you think is most important for a fulfilling later life. Closing date for comments is 20th January 2009.
Discussion Paper
Response Form
Creating a new professional regulator for pharmacy: health care and associated professions - the draft Pharmacy Order 2009 (9th December 2008)
The draft Pharmacy Order 2009 and consultation document set out proposals to create a new regulator for pharmacy professionals and pharmacy premises in England, Wales and Scotland. The consultation will run from 9 December 2009 and close on 9 March 2009. The final version of the order will then be the subject of an affirmative resolution process in both the Scottish and UK Parliaments.
Consultation
Draft Pharmacy Order 2009
Consultation Response Form
Impact Assessment
Feedback and Events
‘Bronchial Boogie’ to beat asthma (5th December 2008)
Seven to 11-year-olds with asthma meet weekly for Oldham’s ‘Bronchial Boogie’ project. The scheme aims to improve respiratory health and raise self-esteem in seven to 11-year-olds with asthma.
Information
Making sense of: domestic violence (December 2008)
This case study looks at the approaches to the issue of domestic violence that are proven to work, including: The Coordinated Community Response model; Prevention and early intervention; Key role for health services; The WORTH (Ways of Responding through Health) Project, West Sussex; Local and national publicity campaigns; Education in schools and colleges for young people. It also looks at the support available to victims and outlines why these approaches work.
Case Study
Guidance on standards for the establishment and operation of drug consumption rooms in the UK (3rd December 2008)
This report provides essential guidance for local multi-agency partnerships that are contemplating establishing and operating a drug consumption room (DCR) in the UK. A number of local partnerships across England, Wales and Scotland are currently discussing whether or how DCRs might help address their local drug problems. At present there are no DCRs in the UK, however, evidence elsewhere suggests that they can be valuable for engaging marginalised drug users, reducing overdose deaths and can have a beneficial impact on community safety in areas where public drug use is widespread.
Report
Food in School Report (Final) (27th November 2008)
This report, by the partners of The North West School Food Cluster, is a summary of the work of the partners in the North West School Food Cluster in 2007-2008 and outlines the current priorities for 2008.2009.
Report
Bury’s over 50s-scheme (5th December 2008)
Bury Metropolitan Borough Council’s ‘Age of Opportunities’ initiative promotes health and wellbeing for residents aged 50 and over.
Information
Secretary of State report on disability equality: health and care services (1st December 2008)
This report draws on the available evidence and case studies reflecting national, regional and local points of view to assess progress in meeting the requirements of the Disability Equality Duty and remaining areas where more needs to be done across the health and care sector.
Report
Easy-read version
Report of an event hosted by RADAR to enable disabled people and disability organisations to advise the Department of Health
Questionnaire
Insight: Work fit for all - disability, health and the experience of negative treatment in the British workplace (27th November 2008)
The number of people claiming incapacity benefits in Britain has more than doubled over the last 20 years. By comparison with other countries, Britain has large numbers of disabled people and people with long-term illnesses, and proportionately fewer of these people are employed. The Government intends to reverse this trend and move more disabled people and people with long-term illnesses into employment, as outlined in its plans for the new equality bill and the welfare reform green paper. This research shows that disabled people and people with long-term illnesses are more likely to perceive themselves as subject to negative treatment at work, and this has implications for Government policy.
Report
Clarifying Joint Financing Arrangements - A briefing paper for health bodies and local authorities (4th December 2008)
A briefing that demystifies pooled funds and Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 and reviews the current range of joint financing arrangements between NHS bodies and local authorities across health and social care. It is the first in a series of publications relating to a national study which is due to be published in spring 2009.
Briefing
IFRS briefing paper 5 - Auditors’ review of the restated 1 April 2008 balance sheet (4th December 2008)
Our fifth NHS IFRS briefing paper considers the work auditors will do in respect of the restatement of the 1 April 2008 balance sheet. The Commission is developing an approach that will focus on the arrangements NHS bodies have put in place to restate the opening balance sheet.
Briefing
Report of the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocations (December 2008) (8th December 2008)
A report of the review of the weighted capitation formula, undertaken by the Committee between 2005 and 2008.
Report
Allocations to primary care trusts for 2009-10 and 2010-11 (8th December 2008)
The Department of health has, today, announced allocations to primary care trusts for 2009-10 and 2010-11.
Document
Applying for NHS Foundation Trust status: a guide for applicants (November 2008) (4th December 2008)
This guide for applicants has been developed by Monitor and the Department of Health. It is intended to provide aspirant and applicant acute, specialist, teaching, mental health, ambulance and potential community foundation trusts, with a comprehensive explanation of the NHS foundation trust application process and the requirements for achieving NHS foundation trust status. The document covers all of the stages of the application process from the SHA-led Trust Development Phase and the Secretary of State Support Phase through to Monitor’s assessment process and the application outcome. This document supersedes all previous versions of the guide, including Applying for NHS Foundation Trust Status: Guide for Mental Health NHS Trusts.
Guide
Supporting Carers: An action guide for general practitioners and their teams (October 2008)
This Guide was jointly developed by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, this self-assessment toolkit is designed so that Primary Care Teams can measure themselves against agreed criteria for the services they provide for patients and their carers, particularly focusing on teamwork and practice organisation.
Guide
Carers as Partners (leaflet for GPs)
Carers in Practice (leaflet for carers)
Practice based commissioning GP practice survey (5th December 2008)
This is the fifth quarterly practice survey, covering a sample of practices from each primary care trust (PCT), conducted between September and November 2008. The aims of the survey are to get feedback from practices on their perception of the support offered by their PCT and on the clinical and financial engagement of practices with PBC. The survey is part of a group of indicators that will be assessed together to give a picture of PBC implementation.
Summary of Results
Detailed Results for Primary Care Trusts
Detailed Results for Primary Care Trusts by SHA
Treasury’s Value for Money Assessment for PFI: guidance for NHS Build schemes (29th November 2008)
In August 2004 the Treasury introduced a new approach to appraising the value for money of procurement through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) compared with conventional public capital procurement. This involves undertaking qualitative and quantitative value for money assessments at Outline Business Case (OBC) stage and also a new qualitative value for money assessment between OBC and the Final Confirming Business Case (F(C)BC). Guidance for the NHS was first produced by DH in 2005 after a consultation period - this is now superseded. Treasury changed its own guidance in 2006 and 2007, mainly involving detailed changes in the qualitative assessment, while the quantitative assessment remains fundamentally unchanged save for changes in format and presentation. These have now been incorporated into the new DH guidance and accompanying quantitative VFM model in Excel.
Guidance
VFM Quantitative model
High Street ‘health MOTs’ (5th December 2008)
Following the example of the BBC’s ‘Street Doctor’, the Healthy Living Network has been out and about in disadvantaged parts of Nuneaton. The team has used a large crossing lollipop with the commanding text ‘Stop – health MOT’ to get people to stop and have a health check.
Information
Tackling health inequalities 2005-07 policy and data update for the 2010 national target (4th December 2008)
This document provides an update on progress to meet the health inequalities national target to reduce the gap as measured by infant mortality and life expectancy, by 10% by 2010. It includes an assessment of whether the 70 spearhead area local authorities, which map to 62 PCTs, are on track to meet the life expectancy target.
Document
Becoming European: How France, Germany, Spain and UK engage with European Union Health Policy (20th November 2008)
The UK is not alone in trying to work out how to organise the complex relationships between devolved governments, member states and the European Union in the complex field of health policy. In different ways France, Germany, and Spain are also grappling with these problems. This report, based on extensive interviews with senior policy-makers in the four member states, analyses the political and administrative organisation of their EU engagement from three perspectives: coordination of approach, type of activity, and formal and informal influencing. It looks at the consequences for each member state of its given policy and the lessons that the UK can learn from these, in the context of its own political devolution.
Report
Impact assessment of the reformed CHRE Council (3rd December 2008)
Impact assessment of the Regulations reforming the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence.
Impact Assessment
Count me in 2008. Results of the 2008 national census of inpatients in mental health and learning disability services in England and Wales (27th November 2008)
The findings from the fourth annual census of the ethnicity of inpatients in mental health and learning disability services continue to show that some black and minority ethnic groups are three or more times more likely than average to be admitted as inpatients in mental health services. As a result, the report calls for healthcare providers, local authorities and other statutory agencies to work together to prevent and better manage mental illness in black and minority ethnic groups.
Census
Valuable Lives: Capabilities and Resilience Amongst Single Homeless People (November 2008)
This study, from Crisis, examines the relationship between homeless people's capability and resilience and their capacity to overcome their difficulties.
Report
Executive Summary
A long way from home: mental distress and long-term homelessness - a Good Practice Briefing (December 2008)
From April to October 2007, Shelter conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 22 people at low-threshold homelessness services in Westminster, Doncaster, Liverpool and Manchester. All service users had experienced long-term homelessness and suffered from mental health problems, from chronic or severe to the more ‘common’ mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and stress. This briefing collates the key issues raised during the interviews. It identifies good practice for those working with people who have been homeless for a long time and have mental health support needs. The briefing also examines how to prevent long-term homelessness by working effectively with people experiencing mental distress.
Briefing
Impact assessment of screening elective patients for MRSA (5th December 2008)
The policy objective is to reduce the risk of infection for MRSA, and ultimately the number of infections, by screening elective inpatients for MRSA.
Impact Assessment
A Mine of Opportunities. Local Authorities and the regeneration of the English Coalfields (27th November 2008)
This report looks at ten years of regeneration of England's former coalfields. We find they are a story of renewal and growth with local authorities and their partners deserving much of the credit. Regeneration actions have made significant progress on greening mineworkings, building new homes, roads and commercial sites, and creating jobs, but some people have been left behind. National and European funding has supported this transformation and continued national funding is important. The remaining problems in the coalfields of bad health, poor school results, poor motivation and low skills - that create barriers to employment - will require innovative actions by councils and their partners.
Report
Summary
LASSL(DH)(2008)3: Adults’ personal social services: distribution of single capital pot and specific capital allocations in 2009-10 and 2010-11 (26th November 2008)
This letter informs local authorities of the confirmed distribution for 2009-10 and provisional distribution for 2010-11 of the Social Care and the Mental Health elements of the single capital pot. The figures were previously published in LASSL(DH) (2007)3 and this circular confirms the 2009-10 allocations, including those for the new unitary authorities. Details of the allocations, by local authority, are provided in Annex A to this circular. This letter also contains confirmed 2009-10 and provisional 2010-11 allocations to local authorities of specific capital grants. These can be found in annexes C and D.
Circular
LASSL(DH)(2008)4: Adults’ personal social services: specific revenue and capital grant allocations and contributions to Area Bases Grant for 2009-10 and 2010-11; Children’s services: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services contribution to Area Based Grant for 2009-10 and 2010-11 (26th November 2008)
This letter is issued to local authorities to confirm both their adults’ Personal Social Services (PSS) specific revenue and capital grant funding and the Department of Health’s contributions to the Area Based Grant in support of social care policies, including children’s PSS funding insofar as this is provided by the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) contribution. Details of individual funding stream allocations (where these are available), and a brief description of each area, appear in the relevant annexes. In addition to CAMHS, the funding streams in support of Carers and Local Involvement Networks (LINks) contributed by the Department of Health are intended to support both children and adults’ services. It is therefore important for this circular to be brought to the attention of those responsible for children’s services.
Circular
Beating the ‘baby blues’ in Surrey (5th December 2008)
The weeks and months following the birth of a baby can be a difficult time for new mothers. But a scheme in Surrey is helping women beat the ‘baby blues’ by encouraging them to take part in organised ‘buggy walks’.
Information
ARTICLE - Rates of preterm birth following antenatal maternal exposure to severe life events: a population-based cohort study (9th December 2008)
Stress in the six months before conception increases the risk of giving birth prematurely research suggests. This study found that Mothers who experience a death or serious illness in the family before falling pregnant are more likely to have a preterm baby.
Article
A third or fourth degree tear during childbirth - Information for you (November 2008)
Patient information, published by Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Information
Chickenpox in pregnancy: what you need to know (November 2008)
Revised patient information published by Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Information
Impact assessment of Directive 2007/47/EC, Council Directive 90/385/EEC, Council Directive 93/42/EEC, Directive 98/8/EC (3rd December 2008)
Impact assessment of European Directives relating to medical devices.
Impact Assessment
Medical Research: What’s it worth? Estimating the economic benefits from medical research in the UK (21st November 2008)
This report is the outcome of a one-year study commissioned by the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust to compare the economic benefits accruing to the UK from UK publicly and charitably funded medical research with the cost of that research. The results emphasise that the estimates of the rates of return need to be treated with caution. The limitations of available data, questions around methodology and issues raised by the analysis identify some key elements for the future research agenda in this area.
Report
Vocational Rehabilitation: what is it, who can deliver it, and who pays? (8th December 2008)
The Government wants to help millions of people with mental health problems to work. Vocational rehabilitation is whatever helps someone with a health problem to stay at, return to and remain in work. This paper, published by Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health and the College of Occupational Therapists, argues that both taxpayers and employers gain from vocational rehabilitation and that both should pay for it. It looks at the other thorny, practical issues about vocational rehabilitation - what is it, who can deliver it, who pays?
Paper
Closing the gender gap in Bradford (27th November 2008)
It has been known for some time that men are not good at accessing health services. However, councils and the NHS are working together to design projects to take healthcare out into the community. Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council has run its ‘Health of Men’ initiative since the 1990s.
Information
Safeguarding Adults, a consultation on the review of ‘No Secrets’: invitation to workshops (3rd December 2008)
Invitation to workshops on the review, to be held in January 2009.
Information
The NHS in England: The operating framework for 2009/10 (8th December 2008)
The operating framework sets out a brief overview of the priorities for the NHS next year. It is accompanied by annexes (some part of the document, some web-based only) which provide more detail on the priorities, how they are measured and how the new arrangements for managing the system will work.
Framework
Metastatic spinal cord compression: diagnosis and management of adults at risk of and with metastatic spinal cord compression Clinical Guideline CG75(26th November 2008)
The advice in the NICE guideline covers: adults who have, or are at risk of developing, metastatic spinal cord compression because they have cancer elsewhere in their body that has spread to their spine. It does not specifically look at: children, or adults whose cancer started in the spine or who have compression of the spinal cord that is not caused by cancer.
NICE Guideline
Full Guideline
Quick Reference Guide
Understanding NICE Guidance
Costing Report
Costing Template
Local Patient Information Template
Erlotinib for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer Technology Appraisal TA162 (26th November 2008)
Erlotinib is recommended as an alternative to docetaxel for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have already tried one chemotherapy regimen but it has not worked. Erlotinib should be used only when the manufacturer provides the drug at the same overall treatment cost as docetaxel. This cost includes the cost of giving the drug, treatments for any side effects and the cost of monitoring patients to check that treatment is working.
Guidance
Quick Reference Guide
Understanding NICE Guidance
Audit Support
Costing Statement
Electrically-stimulated intravesical chemotherapy for superficial bladder cancer Interventional Procedure IPG 277 (26th November 2008)
This procedure, also known as electromotive drug administration (EMDA) of intravesical chemotherapy, can be used for patients with bladder cancer, either before or after surgery. A solution including a chemotherapy drug is injected into the bladder using a thin tube inserted through the urethra. At the same time, an electrode is inserted in the bladder and other electrodes are placed on the skin of the lower abdomen. An electric current is then created with the aim of improving absorption of the chemotherapeutic drugs.
Guidance
Understanding NICE Guidance
Consultation Comments
Laparoscopic prostatectomy for benign prostatic obstruction Interventional Procedure IPG275 (26th November 2008)
The prostate gland lies just under a man's bladder. Benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) happens when the prostate gland gets bigger, squeezing the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the tip of the penis (the urethra) and causing problems with passing of urine. Laparoscopic prostatectomy involves removing the prostate through small cuts in the abdomen, using a fine telescope to see inside the body (also known as 'keyhole surgery').
Guidance
Understanding NICE Guidance
Consultation Comments
Transabdominal artificial bowel sphincter implantation for faecal incontinence Interventional Procedure IPG275 (26th November 2008)
Faecal incontinence occurs when a person loses the ability to control their bowel movements, resulting in leakage of faeces. It can happen as a result of congenital abnormalities of the anal sphincter (the ring of muscle that keeps the anus closed), injury to the sphincter during childbirth or surgery, disease of the nervous system, prolapse of the pelvic organs or pelvic radiotherapy. In this procedure, an inflatable circular cuff is placed in the anorectal area. The cuff is controlled using a pump that is implanted under the skin in the lower half of the abdomen and connected to a reservoir of fluid. Pressure on the pump allows fluid to move to and from the cuff, to open or close the anus and allow bowel movements to be controlled.
Guidance
Understanding NICE Guidance
Audit Support
Review of the single and multiple technology appraisal processes (3rd December 2008)
NICE has undertaken a review of the guides to the single and multiple technology appraisal processes. The new draft guides are now open for consultation. Closing date for comments is 3rd March 2009.
Review
Review of the specification for manufacturer sponsor submission of evidence (3rd December 2008)
NICE has undertaken a review of the Specification for Manufacturer/Sponsor Submission of Evidence. The original specification was issued in May 2006 and an update was issued in July 2008. The new draft Specification for Manufacturer/Sponsor Submission of Evidence is now open for consultation. Closing date for comments is 3rd March 2009.
Review
Influenza - zanamivir, amantadine and oseltamivir (review): final appraisal determination (FAD) (8th December 2008)
After considering the feedback from consultation, the Appraisal Committee has prepared a Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) on Amantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir for the treatment of influenza (review of existing guidance No. 58) 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. The appeal period will close on 9th January 2009.
FAD
Response to consultee and commentator comments
Additional scenario analyses
Consultee and commentator comments
End of Life Care (26th November 2008)
This report, by the National Audit Office (NAO) found that some people approaching the end of their life receive a high quality service, but that there is room for improved coordination between health and social care services in planning and delivering end of life care.
Report
Executive Summary
Other related reports/surveys
New health website (November 2008)
Dr Foster has launched a new online medical guide resource that will provide information on NHS and private health services.
Website
Approaching FAST…a national campaign to increase stroke awareness: campaign materials (5th December 2008)
The FAST campaign offers a simple way of learning and remembering the signs of stroke so the 'stroke saver' can identify when someone is having a stroke and react immediately. The leaflet and poster that support the campaign are available to download from this page.
Leaflet
Poster
Impact assessment of fees for the registration of pharmacy premises (3rd December 2008)
Impact assessment of Regulations setting fees for the registration of pharmacy premises with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
Impact Assessment
The Primary Medical Services (Electronic Prescription Service Authorisation) Directions 2008 and supplementary guidance (1st December 2008)
Release 2 of the Electronic Prescription Service , where prescriptions can be transmitted electronically, introduces significant benefits for patients, prescribers and dispensers. These Directions, which came into force on 1 December 2008, enable the 17 PCTs (Release 2 initial implementers) listed in the Schedule to authorise their primary medical services contractors or any practice established by the PCT to use the Electronic Transmission of Prescriptions (ETP) service. The Directions are accompanied by guidance for all PCTs, to support their implementation.
Directions
Supplementary Guidance
Impact assessment of moving ahead with the Electronic Prescription Service (Release 2) and enabling completely electronic prescriptions in primary care (1st December 2008)
Impact assessment to accompany the Primary Medical Services (Electronic Prescription Service Authorisation) Directions 2008.
Impact Assessment
An Analysis of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain’s Census and Register Data 2002-2006 (1st December 2008)
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain has today published a complete analysis of its workforce data, which identifies changes in pharmacist workforce patterns including hours worked, likelihood of leaving the profession, intention to move abroad and cross-sector mobility.
Report
Time and income poverty (26th November 2008)
Time and money are two key constraints on what people can achieve. The income constraint is widely recognised by policy-makers and social scientists in their concern with poverty. Proposed solutions often focus on getting people into paid work, but this risks ignoring the demands people may have on their time. This study looks at individuals who are significantly limited by time and income constraints: those who could escape income poverty only by incurring time poverty, or vice versa.
Document
Choice and Competition in Primary Care: Much Ado About Nothing? (November 2008)
This policy paper from Health Services Management Centre (HSMC) shows that GP-led companies have won most of the contracts awarded to date and that these types of organisations are also well placed among those shortlisted in the Equitable Access to Primary Care procurements. The paper argues that more attention needs to be given to increasing patients’ awareness of choice in primary care; otherwise there is a risk that the new GP-led health centres will not be fully utilised.
Policy Paper
Bidding for capital funding for the campus reprovision programme 2009.2010 - stage 3 (27th November 2008)
Stage 3 of the Campus Capital Programme has now been launched. For this final stage, joint bids are invited for 2009/10 from PCTs and local authorities to reflect the changed commissioning and funding responsibilities for social care for adults with a learning disability from April 2009. The deadline for PCTs and LAs to submit completed bids to their Valuing People Support Team advisor is noon, on Friday 30 January 2009.
Letter
Bidding pack
Ensuring appropriate local trajectories for Clostridium difficile infection (27th November 2008)
Letter asking chief executives of strategic health authorities, primary care trusts and acute hospital trusts to take a number of actions to ensure the numbers of C. difficile cases are accurately split between acute providers and primary care trusts. This will also help to ensure that trajectories for organisations are calculated appropriately.
Letter
Step Guide on completing correcting and quality assuring your CDI data on HPA HCAI data capture system
On the Outside: Continuity of care for people leaving prison (2nd December 2008)
Continuity of care is vital in all areas of health care. For released prisoners with mental health problems it is especially important to help them get their lives back on track on the outside. On the Outside, published by Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, finds that many released prisoners quickly lose touch with the services that are supposed to support them. Many prisoners do not know where they will be living on release. Some end up on relatives' sofas. Others go to hostels where they fear getting back into drug habits, or they end up on the streets.
Publication
Patient Group Directions (PGDs) (December 2008)
PGDs take a significant amount of time and resource to develop and implement. Giving careful thought and consideration to whether PGDs are the most appropriate option and the content of these PGDs at the outset can save time and will contribute to safe and timely delivery of patient care. The PGD website has developed some new tools and resources to help users give careful thought and consideration of legislation, clinical governance and medicines access using PGDs, in comparison with other available options.
Are PGDs the safest route for your service?
FAQs
Research governance in health and social care: NHS permission for research and development involving NHS patients (second edition) (27th November 2008)
This document clarifies what primary care trusts need to consider before granting permission for research that involves NHS patients. For research under the Clinical Trials Regulations, the NHS decision to give permission should normally be a formality, provided sponsors confirm who is authorised to act on their behalf, supply evidence that the project has received the favourable opinion of a research ethics committee, authorisation by the MHRA and independent expert review, and give details of provisions to cover any liabilities.
Document
Permission Form for Industry Trials
Rethinking social care and support: what can England learn from other countries? (27th November 2008)
This Viewpoint draws on the experiences of other countries and sets out a number of principles that should underpin reform of care and support arrangements in England.
Document
Care and support - a community responsibility? (27th November 2008)
Any new settlement on long-term care and support must address the apportionment of responsibility for its delivery as well as its funding. With the state's capacity limited and family input likely to decline, the wider community must expect to play a growing role. This offers an opportunity to end social care's marginalisation, argues David Brindle.
Document
Performance Ratings for Adult Social Services (England) 2008 (27th November 2008)
According to the annual star ratings for councils published by Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) council-funded/arranged social care services have improved for the sixth year running.
Report
Rating by Council
Principles for revalidation: report of the Working Group for Non-medical Revalidation; Professional regulation and Patient Safety Programme (27th November 2008)
This paper sets out the key principles which the non-medical health professions regulators will now use to develop proposals on the systems and processes for revalidation for their professional groups.
Paper
