ABOUT THIS BULLETIN

This bulletin highlights recently produced documents that have appeared on websites. The aim is to trawl the web and produce a fortnightly review of what is found (coverage may not be comprehensive). If you have any comments or suggestions regarding this Bulletin, please send an email to library.pct@sthk.nhs.uk. All links are correct at time of publishing. Some documents are large and may take time to open so please be patient when waiting for links to open. If a link is incorrect please email me and I will correct the link and send you the document.

For those that are receiving this through an email or through a third party you can view the original Bulletin at http://www.newdocumentsbulletin.blogspot.com/ and also sign up to receive the Bulletin by RSS.

ANNUAL REPORTS

The Year 2008/09 (20th May 2009)
The Year 2008/09 was launched on Wednesday 20 May 2009 at the annual NHS Chief Executives' Conference.

The report sets out key achievements over the year like reducing healthcare associated infections, achieving 18 weeks referral to treatment and extending GP opening hours. It also sets out plans for making quality the organising principle of the NHS, responding to the recommendations of the Next Stage Review, and reflects on the challenges facing the NHS going forward.
Annual Report

The Faculty of Public Health Annual Report 2008 (May 2009)

BULLETINS/NEWSLETTER

Embrace - Newsletter of the Embrace Project: Acting together on alcohol, children, families and domestic abuse. Resources Supplement 3 (20th May 2009)

RCGP News - May 2009 (May 2009)

Health Protection Report Vol. 3 No. 19 (15th May 2009)

Health Protection Report Vol. 3 No. 20 (22nd May 2009)

Medical Directors' Bulletin, Issue 93, May 2009 (20th May 2009)

CARE QUALITY COMMISSION

Category C Ambulance Service User Survey 2008 (13th May 2009)
This is the first national survey which specifically targeted people whose conditions were assessed by ambulance call handlers as Category C. The results show that most of those who responded to the survey had a positive experience of the way they were looked after by the emergency ambulance service.
Survey

Survey of adult inpatients 2008 (13th May 2009)
According to a survey published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) today, more patients have rated their hospital wards and bathrooms as "very clean" and have noticed doctors and nurses washing their hands between patients. However, despite some improvements, the NHS needs to do more to ensure hospital food is consistently of good quality and that patients are sent copies of letters between hospitals and GPs.
Survey

Review of the involvement and action taken by health bodies in relation to the case of Baby P (13th May 2009)
This report covers the four trusts that provided Peter's NHS care. Since Peter's death, the report shows that trusts have taken some measures to improve their child protection procedures, however more work needs to done to:

• ensure sufficient staffing levels
• improve attendance of healthcare staff at child protection case conferences
• address communication problems when making referrals

Report

COMMISSIONING

Cancer Commissioning Toolkit (April 2009)
This site is aimed at supporting World-class Commissioning of cancer services across the NHS by making information on cancer care in England freely available. It includes a range of high-level indicators, as well as a number of links to more detailed information, right across the patient’s journey: from prevention and screening through referral and treatment to living with and beyond cancer, as well as end of life care.
Website

Deed of variation for 2008 NHS standard acute contract (19th May 2009)
This suite of documents is for those commissioners and providers who entered into the acute services contract that was published in December 2007, who are now working to a document that does not reflect changes brought about by the operating framework for 2009-1010.
Guidance

New Commissioning Guide from NICE (April 2009)
NICE have published a new commissioning guide "Smoking cessation service for people having elective surgery". The guide:

• makes the case for commissioning a smoking cessation service for people having elective surgery
• specifies service requirements
• helps determine local service levels
• helps ensure corporate and quality assurance.

Guide

CONSULTATIONS

Consultation on how alcohol is sold and supplied (13th May 2009)
This consultation looks at proposed changes to the law regarding alcohol sales. The new code will contain both mandatory and optional local licensing rules and requirements. The views of health bodies, third sector organisations, plice, licensing authorities, alcohol retail industry and members of the public are being sought. Closing date for comments is 5th August 2009.
Consultation

DATA PROTECTION

Review of the European Data Protection Directive (12th May 2009)
This review of the strengths and weakness of the EU Data Protection Directive is published by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). Among its recommendations, the report proposes that:

• the law should be clear about the outcomes it seeks;
• there should be stronger focus on the accountability of all organisations for safeguarding the information they handle;
• a more strategic approach to enforcement is needed; and
• improved arrangements are needed for the export of personal data outside the European area.

Report
Summary

DIET/NUTRITION

Arsenic in rice research published (21st May 2009)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA)has published results from two studies:

• Arsenic levels in rice drinks
• Cooking methods to reduce arsenic levels in rice

As a result of the first study, the FSA recommends that toddlers and young children should not have rice drinks.
The FSA is not advising anyone to change the way they cook rice as a result of the second study.
Reports

DISABILITIES

Housing for disabled children and their families: an information resource (15th May 2009)
An overview of information about housing for disabled children and their families, and ideas for improving their circumstances.
The purpose of the resource is to raise awareness of this important aspect of community care and to help non-specialists find out more about promoting positive change in this complex field.
The information resource contains:

• a summary of research evidence about the housing circumstances of disabled children and their families;
• an indication of the role of front-line workers in relation to housing for disabled children and their families;
• potential ways of improving housing, including moving house and adapting a family’s existing home;
• a summary of the relevant law in England;
• a series of case studies to help consolidate and expand knowledge of some of the issues involved; and
• guidance on running workshops to provide information to interested practitioners and families.

Report

What makes my family stronger (20th May 2009)
This report, from Contact a Family (Every Disabled Child Matters partner organisation), states that families with disabled children in the UK feel stigmatised and shut out from society. Key findings from the report include:

• Almost 70% of families with disabled children said that understanding and accpetance of disability from their community or society is poor or unsatisfactory
• Over 60% of families said they don't feel listened to by professionals
• Vital support services such as short breaks; a key worker; and childcare are unavailable to almost half of families
• Over 60% of families said they don't feel valued by society in their role as carers
• Half of families with disabled children said the opportunity to enjoy play and leisure together is poor or unsatisfactory.

Report

FOOD SAFETY

Food Handlers: Fitness to Work - A Practical Guide for Food Business Operators (14th May 2009)
People who work around open food while suffering from certain infections (mainly from bacteria and viruses) can contaminate the food or surfaces the food may come into contact with. The Agency has published revised 'Food Handlers: Fitness to Work' guidance to help prevent the spread of infection to other people through food.

The guidance aims to help managers and staff to prevent the spread of infection by advising which illnesses and symptoms staff should report and what managers should do in response.
Guidance

GENERAL PRACTICE

Urgent care - a practical guide to transforming same-day care in general practice (May 2009)
This report, published by the Primary Care Foundation, will be launched at a workshop on 25th June. The report focused on three questions concerning patients who contacted their practice with an urgent need:

• Will they get through?
• Will they be identified?
• Will they be seen rapidly?

Recommendations included that practices should:

• Address the urgent needs of a patient
• Match capacity to demand
• Ensure that the full range of cases that might need urgent attention will reliably be recognised by staff
• Set deadlines for assessment and intervention and measure performance against these
• Review and audit the processes to refine the way they operate

Report

GUIDANCE/GUIDELINES

Heatwave plan for England 2009 (19th May 2009)
The Plan's purpose is to enhance resilience in the event of a heatwave. It is an important component of overall emergency planning; and will become increasingly relevant in adapting to the impact of climate change.
Guidance

HEALTH INEQUALITIES

Government Response to The Health Select Committee Report on Health Inequalities (22nd May 2009)
This response to the Health Select Committee (HSC) report on health inequalities was laid before Parliament on 18 May. The response addresses in turn each of the conclusions and recommendations of the HSC report.
Response

IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Impact Assessments for the Health Bill (21st May 2009)

Impact Assessment of independent consideration of complaints about non-LA adult social care (21st May 2009)

MENTAL HEALTH

ARTICLE - Promoting health in early-stage dementia: evaluation of a 12 week course (March 2009)
This project tested a 12-week health promotion course for older adults with earlystage dementia. The results found some significant positive differences in the health behaviors for the treatment group. Please note that you will need an NHS Athens ID to access the fulltext of the article - alternatively please contact your local health library. To find your local health library please click here.
Article

NHS

Understanding what matters: a guide to using patient feedback to transform care (22nd May 2009)
Last autumn, health secretary Alan Johnson said he wanted to see NHS Trusts collecting and using “immediate feedback” from patients to drive service improvement. The guide sets out best practice in terms of collecting, analysing and using patient feedback to transform services. It also includes examples of how the NHS is already using feedback from patients to get results.
Guide

NICE

Alcohol-use disorders (prevention): consultation on the evidence (19th May 2009)
NICE was asked by the Department of Health (DH) to develop public health programme guidance on Alcohol use disorders in adults and young people: prevention and early identification. Registered stakeholders are now invited to comment on the assembled evidence. Closing date for comments is 17th June 2009.
Consultation

Prevention of type 2 diabetes: preventing pre-diabetes - draft scope consultation (20th May 2009)
NICE is developing public health programme guidance on the prevention of type 2 diabetes: preventing pre-diabetes among high-risk groups. Registered stakeholders are invited to comment on the draft scope. Closing date for comments is 18th June 2009.
Consultation

Hepatitis B - tenofovir disoproxil fumarate: final appraisal determination (26th May 2009)
After considering the feedback from consultation, the Appraisal Committee has prepared a Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) on Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for the treatment of hepatitis B 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. Closing date for comments is 9th June 2009.
FAD

Recognition and assessment of coeliac disease - Clinical Guideline CG86 (27th May 2009)
This guideline offers best practice advice on the recognition and assessment of coeliac disease and the care of children and adults who are undergoing the diagnostic process for coeliac disease.
Guideline

The acute management of patients with chronic (longer than 6 weeks) non-specific low back pain - Clinical Guideline CG88 (27th May 2009)
This guideline is about the care and treatment that people who have persistent non-specific low back pain can expect from the NHS in England and Wales to help them manage their pain.
Guideline

Type 2 diabetes - newer agents for blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes - Clinical Guideline CG87 (27th May 2009)
NICE clinical guideline 87 partially updates NICE clinical guideline 66 and replaces it. This guidance was developed by the National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions. Details of the methods and evidence used to develop the recommendations are in the full guideline for CG66. The recommendations on DPP-4 inhibitors (sitagliptin, vildagliptin), thiazolidinediones (pioglitazone, rosiglitazone), exenatide and insulin were developed by the Centre for Clinical Practice at NICE. Details of the methods and evidence used to develop these recommendations are in the short guideline for CG87.
Guideline

Percutaneous endoscopic laser lumbar discectomy - Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG300 (27th May 2009)
Symptomatic thoracic disc herniation is when one of the discs in the bottom of the back which act as cushions between the bones bursts and pushes against the spinal cord or nerve roots that run through the backbone, causing: pain in the neck or back, weakness and numbness in the arms or legs, or bladder problems.

The aim of a percutaneous endoscopic laser discectomy is to remove the part of the disc that is pushing against the spinal cord or nerve root. A small cut is made in the skin and special equipment including a laser is used to heat and destroy some of the disc and remove the part that is sticking out to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve root.
Guideline

Percutaneous laser revascularisation for refractory angina pectoris - Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG302 (27th May 2009)
Patients with refractory angina pectoris have chest pain (because of insufficient oxygen delivery to their heart muscle) that cannot be controlled by optimal medical or surgical management. Percutaneous laser revascularisation involves insertion of a catheter into major vessels of the groin, which is advanced to the heart, to drill holes on the heart muscle using a laser beam. The aim is to enable blood flow from the heart chambers into the heart muscle, to relieve myocardial ischaemia and reduce chest pain.
Guideline

Tenotomy of horizontal eye muscles for nystagmus (with reattachment at their original insertions) - Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG299 (27th May 2009)
Nystagmus is the involuntary movement of the eyes (most commonly from side to side) and is usually associated with impaired vision. Tenotomy involves cutting the horizontal muscles of the eye (which move the eye from side to side) and reattaching them at the same place. The aim of the procedure is to improve vision.
Guideline

Transmyocardial laser revascularisation for refractory angina pectoris - Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG301 (27th May 2009)
Patients with refractory angina pectoris have chest pain (because of insufficient oxygen delivery to their heart muscle) that cannot be controlled by optimal medical or surgical management. Transmyocardial laser revascularisation involves open heart surgery to drill holes on the heart muscle using a laser beam, with the aim of enabling blood flow from the heart chambers into the heart muscle, to relieve myocardial ischaemia and reduce chest pain.
Guideline

PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Public Accounts Committee - End of life care - Nineteenth Report of Session 2008-09 (14th May 2009)

Public Accounts Committee - Financial Management in the NHS: Report on the NHS Summarised Accounts 2007-08 - Twenty-second report of session 2008-09 (21st May 2009)

PATIENT AND PUBLIC INFORMATION

Heatwave: a guide to looking after yourself and others during hot weather (19th May 2009)
This leaflet provides useful information and advice on the hazards of a heatwave, how to recognise the symptoms of heat exhausation and heat stroke, and how to deal with the effects of too much heat.
Leaflet

PHARMACY

Local Pharmaceutical Services Model Contract (18th May 2009)
This document is a model contract offered by the Department of Health as a template for a Local Pharmaceutical Services scheme. If PCTs are considering commissioning LPS services they may wish to use it. It reflects the mandatory terms for any LPS contract.
Document

Guidance and competences for the provision of services using Pharmacists with Special Interests (PhwSIs) - People with skin conditions (May 2009)
This guidance is the latest in a series of frameworks for pharmacists with special interests. These frameworks aim to facilitate the delivery and accreditation of services in primary and community settings.
Guidance

PRIMARY CARE

Reviews published on primary care information for the public (13th May 2009)
Health Services Management Centre (HSMC) has recently completed a series of evidence reviews exploring the provision of public information about the quality of primary care services. Each review addresses a specific question including: what information about the quality of primary care services do patients and the public want; which information formats are most accessible and effective; and how can information be presented to empower patients to make an informed choice of primary care provider?
Reviews

PRIMARY CARE TRUSTS

PCT Performance - Quick Guides (May 2009)
NHS London has created these Quick Guides as an aid to improving PCT performance against a series of Annual Health Check targets. The Commissioning Performance Directorate has worked with PCTs and clinicians to condense existing guidance into a practical and user friendly guide covering the essential issues to improve performance.
Guides

PUBLIC HEALTH

EVENT - Healthy lives for under fives (12th May 2009)
This event, from Cheshire and Merseyside Public Health Network, took place at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool on 12th May. These are the presentations from the event.
Presentations

QUALITY

Quality Indicators published (May 2009)
The Department of Health and the NHS Information Centre have published a list of 232 indicators of high quality care, intended to help clinicians drive up the quality of care they deliver to patients.
Indicators

SOCIAL CARE

Common Assessment Framework for Adults Demonstrator Site Programme: overview of Phase 1 sites (20th May 2009)
Care Services Minister Phil Hope announced on 9 February 2009 that nine local authority led partnerships have been selected as phase 1 of the Common Assessment Framework for Adults (CAF) Demonstrator Site Programme.
Report

The new registration system for health and adult social care (15th May 2009)
From April 2010, a new system of regulation for health and adult social care in England comes into force for the NHS.

This will require all providers of certain health and adult social care activities to register with the Care Quality Commission in order to provide services.

The Department of Health is now consulting on the draft regulations. The draft, which is subject to parliamentary approval, will provide the detailed legal basis for the new system together with some associated policy proposals to support the registration framework.
Briefing

SOCIAL EXCLUSION

Social Exclusion and the economic downturn (19th May 2009)
The social exclusion and the economic downturn study focuses on preventing the recession from triggering long term social exclusion. The Social Exclusion Task Force held a seminar on Tuesday 19th May 2009 to share insights and evidence on the links between recession and long term social exclusion. This is the report and one of the presentations from the seminar.
Information

STATISTICS

Statistics on Alcohol, England 2009 (20th May 2009)

Abortion Statistics, England and Wales: 2008 (21st May 2009)

Supporting people - quarterly client records and outcomes - April 2008 to March 2009 (22nd May 2009)

General Ophthalmic Services: Workforce Statistics for England and Wales, 31 December 2008 (21st May 2009)

NHS Dental Statistics for England - Quarter 3, 31 December 2008 (21st May 2009)

Quarterly population estimates (experimental) - Q1 2009 (20th May 2009)

GP Earnings and Expenses Enquiry 2006/07 - Final Report (19th May 2009)

Accident and Emergency Activity - Quarter ending March 2009 (15th May 2009)

Provisional Monthly Hospital Episode Statistics for Admitted patient care and outpatient data, April - January 2008/09 (15th May 2009)

Elderly population across Europe past, present and future (19th May 2009)

SUBSTANCE MISUSE

All Party Parliamentary Group on Alcohol Misuse. The future of alcohol treatment services (May 2009)
This inquiry report is the first to be published by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Alcohol Misuse. Some of the recommendations from the Group are:

• Government needs clear cross-deparmental leadership to tackle England's growing alcohol problem.
• All primary healthcare services should understand and be able to deliver Screening and Brief Interventions (SBI).
• All PCTs areas should have effective specialist alcohol services which are accessible to local communities
• There needs to be an ongoing training programme for alcohol commissioners
• The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) should look at how the Quality and Outcome Framework (QOF) for GPs can be amended to help tackle alcohol misuse.

Report

WORLD HEALTH

62nd World Health Assembly (22nd May 2009)
The 62nd session of the World Health Assembly took place during 18-22 May 2009. A number of public health issues were discussed, including:

• pandemic influenza preparedness

• implementation of the International Health Regulations

• primary health care

• social determinants of health

• monitoring the achievement of the health-related Millennium Development Goals

Documents

ABOUT THIS BULLETIN

This bulletin highlights recently produced documents that have appeared on websites. The aim is to trawl the web and produce a fortnightly review of what is found (coverage may not be comprehensive). If you have any comments or suggestions regarding this Bulletin, please send an email to library.pct@sthk.nhs.uk. All links are correct at time of publishing. Some documents are large and may take time to open so please be patient when waiting for links to open. If a link is incorrect please email me and I will correct the link and send you the document.

For those that are receiving this through an email or through a third party you can view the original Bulletin at http://www.newdocumentsbulletin.blogspot.com/ and also sign up to receive the Bulletin by RSS.

ALCOHOL

Drinking in the UK: An exploration of trends (6th May 2009)
A key part of the Government’s alcohol harm reduction strategy is to monitor changes in drinking habits over time and to identify what factors are potentially contributing to the rising levels of consumption. This study is a systematic review of research relevant to trends in alcohol consumption over the last 20 to 30 years in the UK.
Study

The Price is Right - protecting communities through action on alcohol sales (5th May 2009)
This report investigates the relationship between the price of alcohol, consumption levels and alcohol-related harms. Alcohol Concern concludes that a mandatory code of practice should be introduced to regulate the retail drinks industry.
Report

Understanding young people's alcohol-related social norms in Sefton - Interim Report (5th May 2009)

In order to understand local social norms amongst teenagers and to effectively target a social norms campaign, Sefton PCT commissioned the Centre for Public Health to investigate prevailing attitudes and norms in local schools. This was done via an online survey and this report presents the results of the survey. The results suggest:

• Most pupils (91.3%) have drunk alcohol
• 11.68 years being the mean age of onset of consumption of alcohol
• Parties, home with their families and in parks and other public open spaces are the common places where they drink
• 17.6% said that their parents were unaware of where they are on Friday or Saturday nights.
• 51.7% thought it was acceptable for people their age to get drunk once in a while, 78% thought it was acceptable for them to get drunk themselves.
• 48% had had an argument as a result of alcohol consumption, 47.8% a hangover with 38.7% having vomited.
• 1 in 12 young people surveyed took no safety precautions when out drinking.
• Those that did take precautions included 65.8% carrying a mobile phone, 55.7% walked home with friends, 47% letting their parents know where they were.

Report

ChaMPs Alcohol Insight - Qualitative Research De-Brief (April 2009)

BULLETINS/NEWSLETTER

Health Protection Report Vol. 3 No. 16 (24th April 2009)

Health Protection Report Vol. 3 No. 17 (1st May 2009)

Health Protection Report Vol. 3 No. 18 (8th May 2009)

Alcohol Concern News - May 2009 (6th May 2009)

Environmental Public Health Quarterly Bulletin Special Edition: the Children's Environment and Health Strategy for the UK: Part 1, April 2009 Issue 13 (7th May 2009)

Telecare LIN eNewsletter - April 2009 (30th April 2009)

The month: issue 20, April 2009 (5th May 2009)

CNO Bulletin, Issue 78, May 2009 (12th May 2009)

Children, Families and Maternity e-bulletin, Edition 50 May 2009 (May 2009)

GP and Practice Team Bulletin - May 2009 - Issue 84 (11th May 2009)

Medical Director's Bulletin, Issue 92, April 2009 (22nd April 2009)

Social Care Bulletin, Issue 10 - April 2009 (1st May 2009)

CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE

The protection of children in England: action plan - the Government's response to Lord Laming (6th May 2009)
On 12 March, Lord Laming published The Protection of Children in England: A Progress Report. The Government accepted all of his recommendations and promised to issue a more detailed response later on. This action plan sets out the Government's response to Lord Laming’s recommendations. It outlines how all of central Government will work together with local government and front line services including teachers, teaching assistants, school governors, staff in Children’s Centres and early years settings, child care workers and other partners working with children to drive forward reform of child protection services across England.
Action Plan

Neglected Adolescents - Literature Review (April 2009)
This literature review is one of a series of projects jointly commissioned by DCSF and DH to improve the evidence base on recognition, effective intervention and inter-agency working in child abuse and explores the concept of ‘neglect’ as it applies to adolescents. The review draws together information from research in other countries on this topic, and also considers a range of other relevant UK and international literature. It considers the practice, policy and research implications of the literature, and has also informed other products of this project.
Document

COMMISSIONING

The engagement cycle: a new way of thinking about patient and public engagement (PPE) in world class commissioning (29th April 2009)
The engagement cycle is a way of approaching patient engagement when commissioning services. It highlights who needs to do what to engage people at each stage of the commissioning cycle. It can be used to facilitate improvements in world class commissioning, particularly concerning Competency Three - engaging with patients and the public.
Presentation

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Department of Health formal response to the Cooperation and Competition Panel consultation (30th April 2009)
The Cooperation and Competition Panel (the Panel), chaired by Lord Carter of Coles, opened for referrals on 30 January 2009. Since they became operational, the Panel has been consulting on their draft operating guidelines, which outline how the Panel will do business with the NHS. This is the Department of Health’s response to that consultation.
Consultation response

Consultation report on the regulations to implement the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (6th May 2009)
The original consultation contained four sets of draft regulations required to implement the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008. Reports on each set of draft regulations are now available.
Consultation response

The role of Responsible Officer - response to the consultation on Responsible Officers and their duties relating to the medical profession (5th May 2009)
The purpose of the consultation was to help the Department of Health test the thinking and advice of their expert group with a wider group and in doing so, they hoped to gain a clearer understanding of the issues and how they affect individuals and organisations. This document sets out the Department's formal response to the consultation.
Consultation response.

CONSULTATIONS

A better future: a consultation on a future strategy for adults with autistic spectrum conditions (29th April 2009)
This consultation considers five key themes for delivering change:

• health
• social inclusion
• choice and control
• awareness raising and training
• access to training and employment

Closing date for comments is 15th September 2009.

Consultation

Consultation on ordinary residence guidance, Directions and cross-border arrangements (21st April 2009)
This consultation is seeking views on the revision of the Department of Health's guidance on the ordinary residence provisions in the National Assistance Act 1948. It is also seeking views on draft Directions that set out local authority responsibilities when ordinary residence disputes arise and draft cross-border arrangements for dealing with ordinary residence disputes between English and Welsh authorities. Closing date for comments is 17th July 2009.
Consultation

Promoting the Health and Wellbeing of Looked after Children - revised guidance (11th May 2009)
This guidance is a revised version of the existing guidance "Promoting the Health of Looked After Children", which was published by the Department of Health in 2002. The revised guidance will be statutory on PCTs and Strategic Health Authorities a well as local authorities. Closing date for comments is 3rd August 2009.
Consultation

Medical profiling and online medicine: the ethics of 'personalised' health care in a consumer age (April 2009)
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics is holding a public consultation on the ethical issues raised by online healthcare, telemedicine and commercial medical profiling technologies such as DNA testing and body imaging. These technologies and services are increasingly focused on the individual, and often mean that the GP is no longer involved in health care.

The Council would like to hear the views of a wide range of people, including those using or contemplating using these services, those involved in providing them in the public and private context, researchers, academics, regulators, policy makers and others. Closing date for responses is 21st July 2009.
Consultation

A Department of Health consultation paper: draft guidance on provisions to deal with nuisance or disturbance behaviour on NHS premises in England (12th May 2009)
The Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 creates a criminal offence of causing a nuisance or disturbance on NHS premises and a power for fully trained NHS to remove a person reasonably suspected of committing this offence.

This consultation seeks comment on a draft of the guidance which will be issued to support use of the power of removal by NHS bodies in England. Closing date for comments is 4th August 2009.
Consultation

DIET/NUTRITION

Comprehension and use of UK nutrition signpost labelling schemes (6th May 2009)
The final report of the independent group of experts who have led the front of pack (FOP) nutrition signpost evaluation project was published 3rd May 2009. The main conclusions from the report are:

• A single FOP scheme would be most helpful for shoppers
• Overall, the balance of evidence demonstrated that the strongest FOP label is one which combines use of the words 'high, medium and low', traffic light colours and percentage of Guideline Daily Amount (GDA)
• Shoppers who use FOP labels value them
• There is a generally high level of understanding of FOP labels, even among those who don't tend to use them.

Report

Products free of colours associated with hyperactivity (1st May 2009)
The Food Standards Agency has updated its list of product ranges that do not contain the six food colours associated with possible hyperactivity in young children. A further 22 manufacturers producing product lines free of the colours have been added to the list.
Information

DISEASES AND DISORDERS

Vascular Programme Briefing Packs (29th April 2009)
This revised vascular programme briefing pack was prepared in 2009 to provide the ten strategic health authorities with an assessment of progress, opportunities and future challenges in key areas of vascular disease.
Briefing packs

ELDERLY/OLDER PEOPLE

Healthy eating for older people (6th May 2009)
The eating habits of children have been the subject of national debate even before TV chef Jamie Oliver’s series on school dinners. But the same cannot be said for elderly people – despite many not eating a healthy and balanced diet. Some councils, however, are tackling the issue head-on. They are using their influence over everything from meals on wheels to the menus in care homes.
Information

ETHNICITY

Ethnicity and Child Poverty (7th May 2009)
This report aims to significantly develop the evidence base on ethnicity and child poverty. The child poverty rates observed for most ethnic minority groups are higher than the national average; the report asks whether this is due to increased levels of poverty risk factors amongst families from these groups, or whether it requires further explanation. The author also examines a range of different poverty measures and related indicators for children and families from different ethnic groups – including income poverty, poverty persistence, material deprivation, worklessness, and area deprivation – and uses a variety of analytical methods and data sources to build up a detailed picture of how poverty varies across and within ethnic minority groups.
Report

FOUNDATION TRUSTS

Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust (30th April 2009)
The Secretary of State publishes the reports of the independent reviews commissioned in response to the Healthcare Commission's investigation into the failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS FT.
Reports

GENERAL PRACTICE

The Child, The Family and the GP - tensions and conflicts of interest in safeguarding children (30th April 2009)
This research sought to explore the nature and consequences of tensions and conflicts of interest for GPs in safeguarding children and how these are seen, and responded to, from a range of professional, parent and child perspectives and managed in order to promote best practice.
Research

GUIDANCE/GUIDELINES

Breakthrough to real change in local healthcare: a guide for applications to create Health Innovation and Education Clusters (HIECs) (6th May 2009)
The Department of Health is investing £10 million in the introduction of Health Innovation and Education Clusters (HIECs) across England. HIECs will be partnerships between NHS, higher education, industry and other public and private sector organisations. They will support the spread and adoption of innovation locally and strengthen professional education and training.
Guide

HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE

Health and Lifestyles in the North West (30th April 2009)
The North West Lifestyle Survey 2007 was designed to collect essential information on the lifestyles of people living in the North West, to provide baseline measures of prevalence against which the effectiveness of regional initiatives over the coming years can be monitored. The survey also provides health professionals with detailed intelligence to help support a range of actions aimed at the improvement of the health of the North West population. These actions include effective targeting of resources, priority setting and the development and implementation of strategies and policies. In addition to the regional survey, local areas were offered the opportunity to buy local survey boosts with consistent methodology, so that local measurements could be compared against a standardised regional baseline.
Survey

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Review of customer experience information (CEI) (29th April 2009)
This strategic report presents the findings from a review of "customer experience information" (CEI). The purpose of the project is to identify what information is currently being collected, how this is likely to change in the future, and how patient/user feedback and public engagement can be included into everyday ongoing activity.
Report

HEALTH INEQUALITIES

Tackling health inequalities: 10 years on (7th May 2009)
This report reviews developments in health inequalities over the last 10 years across government - from the publication of the Acheson report on health inequalities in November 1998 to the announcement of the post-2010 strategic review of health inequalities in November 2008. It covers developments across government on the wider social determinants of health, and the role of the NHS. It provides an assessment of developments against the Acheson report, reviews a range of key data sets covering social, economic, health and environmental indicators, and considers lessons learned and challenges for the future.
Report

IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Impact assessment of the Commericial Operating Model (COM) (1st May 2009)

MENTAL HEALTH

Independent mental health advocates: supplementary guidance on access to patient records under section 130B of the Mental Health Act 1983 (5th May 2009)
The Department of Health has been asked for advice on whether section 130B of the Mental Health Act 1983 allows independent mental health advocates (IMHAs) to see information in patients’ records which would not be disclosed directly to the patient and, if so, whether IMHAs may share that information with patients.
Guidance

Prescribing creativity in Warrington (30th April 2009)
Warrington Council’s ‘Creative Remedies’ scheme offers people with mental health problems the chance to participate in a range of arts activities. These vary from dance, creative writing, singing and painting, through to drumming and laughter workshops. Participants attend weekly arts sessions led by freelance artists at a local arts centre.
Information

'Being you' in Portsmouth (30th April 2009)
Portsmouth City Council and Portsmouth City Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT) have joined forces in a multi-agency approach to adolescent mental health. The ‘Being you’ project has developed a toolkit for use in schools and youth centres, improved signposting to services and funded a media campaign.
Information

Childhood mental health and life chances in post-war Britain - Insights from three national birth cohort studies (7th May 2009)
Childhood mental health and life chances in post-war Britain finds that mental health problems in children and teenagers have a significant impact on their chances of success in employment and family life as well as contact with the criminal justice system.

The study looks at the long-term effects of conduct and emotional problems in adolescence.
Report

NHS

Taking it on trust: a review of how boards of NHS trusts and foundation trusts get their assurance (29th April 2009)
This report reviews the rigour with which boards of NHS trusts and foundation trusts operate the governance structures and processes to assure themselves that their organisation is operating effectively and meeting their strategic objectives. It includes recommendations for government and trusts as well as questions for board members to ask themselves about their current arrangements.
Report

Summary
Presentation
Checklist
Leeds Case Study
Plymouth Case Study

NHS Reference Costs 2007-08 (8th May 2009)
These documents provide details on how and on what almost £44billion of NHS expenditure was used in the 2007/08 financial year.
Documents

Necessity - not nicety: a new commercial operating model for the NHS and Department of Health (7th May 2009)
The new Commercial Operating Model will further enhance commercial and procurement skills across the NHS in helping to deliver high quality and personalised care for patients.
Report

NHS Performance Framework: Implementation guidance (24th April 2009)
The Performance Framework sets out the Department of Health's approach to identifying underperforming NHS organisations and stipulates when intervention should occur in such organisations
Framework

NICE

Multiple myeloma - lenalidomide: final appraisal determination (23rd April 2009)
After considering the feedback from consultation, the Appraisal Committee has prepared a Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) on lenalidomide for multiple myeloma in people who have received at least one prior therapy and submitted it to the Institute. The FAD has been sent to the formal consultees for this appraisal who, for this appraisal, have 20 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. Closing date for comments is 15th May 2009.
FAD

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for refractory tennis elbow: interventional procedures consultation (25th April 2009)
NICE has reviewed the guidance on extracorporeal shockwave therapy for refractory tendinopathies (plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow) (IPG139, November 2005) and is reassessing the procedure separately for plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow (see below) and Achilles tendinopathy. New guidance will be published as a result. Until the new guidance is published the NHS should continue to follow the current recommendations.

The Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered this procedure and NICE has now issued a consultation document about its safety and efficacy. This has been issued for 4 weeks public consultation (until 5pm on 26 may 2009).
Consultation

Percutaneous intradiscal elecrothermal therapy for lower back pain: interventional procedures consultation (25th April 2009)
The Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered this procedure and NICE has now issued a consultation document about its safety and efficacy. This has been issued for 4 weeks public consultation (until 5pm on 26 may 2009).
Consultation

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for refractory Achilles tendinopathy: interventional procedures consultation (25th April 2009)
NICE has reviewed the guidance on extracorporeal shockwave therapy for refractory tendinopathies (plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow) (IPG139, November 2005) and is reassessing the procedure separately for plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow and Achilles tendinopathy (see below). New guidance will be published as a result. Until the new guidance is published the NHS should continue to follow the current recommendations.

The Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered this procedure and NICE has now issued a consultation document about its safety and efficacy. This has been issued for 4 weeks public consultation (until 5pm on 26 may 2009).
Consultation

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for refractory plantar fasciitis: interventional procedures consultation (25th April 2009)
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on extracorporeal shock wave therapy for refractory tendinopathies (plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow) in November 2005.

NICE has reviewed the guidance on extracorporeal shockwave therapy for refractory tendinopathies (plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow) (IPG139, November 2005) and is reassessing the procedure separately for plantar fasciitis (see below), tennis elbow and Achilles tendinopathy. New guidance will be published as a result. Until the new guidance is published the NHS should continue to follow the current recommendations.
Consultation

Placement of pectus bar for pectus excavatum (Nuss procedure) (25th April 2009)
The Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered this procedure and NICE has now issued a consultation document about its safety and efficacy. This has been issued for 4 weeks public consultation (until 5pm on 26 May 2009).

Pectus excavatum is an abnormality of the chest in which the breastbone sinks inward (sometimes called funnel chest). Problems associated with pectus excavatum are mainly cosmetic, although the condition can impair cardiac and respiratory function. Placement of a pectus bar for pectus excavatum (also known as the Nuss procedure) involves placing one or two steel (pectus) bars under the breastbone with the aim of raising it and correcting the abnormal shape. The bar, which is bent into a curve to fit the patient’s chest, is inserted through small openings in the chest. The bar (or bars) are usually removed within a few years of placement.
Consultation

Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins: interventional procedures consultation (25th April 2009)
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins in May 2007. This replaced the previous guidance on 'Ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins' (Interventional Procedures Guidance no. 182, June 2006).

The Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered this procedure and NICE has now issued a consultation document about its safety and efficacy. This has been issued for 4 weeks public consultation (until 5pm on 26 may 2009).
Consultation

Eczema (chronic) - alitretinoin: appraisal consultation (30th April 2009)
The Department of Health has asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE or the Institute) to conduct a single technology appraisal (STA) of alitretinoin for the treatment of severe chronic hand eczema and provide guidance on its use to the NHS in England and Wales. The Appraisal Committee has had its first meeting to consider both the evidence submitted by the manufacturer and the views put forward by non-manufacturer consultees and commentators, and by the clinical specialist and patient expert representatives nominated for this appraisal by non-manufacturer consultees and commentators. The Committee has developed preliminary recommendations on the use of alitretinoin for the treatment of severe chronic hand eczema. Closing date for comments is 20th May 2009.
Consultation

School-based interventions to prevent smoking: consultation on the evidence (1st May 2009)
NICE was asked by the Department of Health (DH) to develop public health intervention guidance on School-based interventions to prevent the uptake of smoking amongst children. Closing date for comments is 3rd June 2009.
Consultation

Reducing differences in uptake of immunisations: additional evidence consultation (5th May 2009)
NICE was asked by the Department of Health (DH) to develop public health intervention guidance to reduce differences in the uptake of immunisations (including targeted vaccines) in children and young people aged under 19 years. Closing date for comments is 2nd June 2009.
Consultation

Reducing differences in uptake of immunisations: draft guidance consultation (5th May 2009)
NICE is developing public health intervention guidance on differences in the uptake of immunisations (including targeted vaccines) in children and young people aged under 19 years. Closing date for comments is 2nd June 2009.
Consultation

Hepatocellular carcinoma (advanced and metastatic) - sorafenib (first line): appraisal consultation (7th May 2009)
The Department of Health has asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE or the Institute) to conduct a single technology appraisal (STA) of sorafenib for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and provide guidance on its use to the NHS in England and Wales. The Appraisal Committee has had its first meeting to consider both the evidence submitted by the manufacturer and the views put forward by non-manufacturer consultees and commentators, and by the clinical specialist and patient expert representatives nominated for this appraisal by non-manufacturer consultees and commentators. The Committee has developed preliminary recommendations on the use of sorafenib for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Closing date for comments is 29th May 2009.
Consultation

Prevention of cardiovascular disease: consultation on the evidence (12th May 2009)
NICE was asked by the Department of Health (DH) to develop guidance on the prevention of cardiovascular disease at the population level. Closing date for comments is 12th June 2009.
Consultation

Latest Implementation Tools (13th May 2009)
Tools to aid implementation of recently published guidance

Diabetes type 2 (new drugs update): Costing tool

Diarrhoea and vomiting in children: Costing tool and Slide set

Glaucoma: Costing tool and Slide set

Breast cancer (advanced): Audit support and Guide to resources

Breast cancer (early): Audit support

Rheumatoid arthritis in adults: Audit support

Venous thromboembolism - rivaroxaban: Audit support and Costing tool

Needle and syringe programmes: Local authority planning committee checklist, Factsheet for commissioners and Audit support

Combined bony and soft tissue reconstruction for hip joint stabilisation in proximal focal femoral deficiency: Audit support

Ex-vivo hepatic resection and reimplantation for liver cancer: Audit support

NURSING

Health and nursing care in the criminal justice service. RCN guidance for nursing staff (11th May 2009)
The role of health care nurses in the criminal justice service is varied, complex and often challenging. This guide will help you to access up to date information, toolkits and sources of advice to assist you in your work. It is a resource to support the delivery of high quality services to people in a broad range of environments, from police custody to high security prisons in all four UK countries. This guide replaces the 2002 Royal College of Nursing publication, Nursing in Prisons, and highlights the specific health and nursing care needs of offenders.
Guide

Guidance on uniforms and work wear (11th May 2009)
This updated guidance sets out information on issues related to the selection, wearing and decontamination of uniforms or clothing worn in the delivery of patient care and is aimed at nurses and their employers. It can be applied to all settings in which health care takes place and for any clothing worn when undertaking patient care activities.
Guidance

Raising concerns, raising standards (11th May 2009)
This booklet from the RCN is to inform nurses how they can help and support them to give the best care they can and to help nurses protect patients if they raise concerns over patient care.
Booklet

OBESITY

2009 Annual Evidence Update - Obesity - Childhood obesity: surveillance and prevention (20th April 2009)
This evidence update, from NHS Evidence - national library for public health, covers childhood obesity: surveillance and prevention. It is an update of the evidence from March 2008 to March 2009.
Update

PANDEMIC INFLUENZA

Pandemic flu: managing demand and capacity in health care organisations (surge) (1st May 2009)
The aim of the guidance is to support NHS and social care organisations to build on their existing preparedness plans and enable clinicians to work within an ethical framework during a pandemic, when there may be a significant increase in demand for care.
Guidance

Pandemic influenza: supplementary information for third sector organisations (12th May 2009)
This document gives background information and highlights key areas for consideration to support third sector organisations to plan, prepare and respond to pandemic influenza. By planning well, third sector organisations could play a key role in contributing to the success of the general response to, and recovery from, a pandemic.
Guidance

PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Health Committee - Top-up fees - Fourth Report of Session 2008-09 (12th May 2009)

Home Affairs Committee - Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill - Fifth Report of Session 2008-09 (29th April 2009)

Joint Committee on Human Rights - Legislative Scrutiny: Welfare Reform Bill; Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill; Health Bill - Fourteenth Report of Session 2008-09 (27th April 2009)

Joint Committee on Human Rights - Legislative Scrutiny: Policing and Crime Bill (Gangs injunctions) - Fifteenth Report of Session 2008-09 (27th April 2009)

Work and Pensions Committee - The Equality Bill: How disability equality fits within a single Equality Act - Third Report of Session 2008-09 (29th April 2009)
Vol I:
Vol II: