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.
Protecting young people from alcohol related harm (14th July 2009)This report reviews a number of work-based projects focused on preventing under-age access to alcohol, improving compliance with The Licensing Act 2003 and reducing the burdens of alcohol-related harm on society.
Report
End of life care strategy: first annual report (14th July 2009)In July 2008 the Department of Health published the End of life care strategy - promoting high quality care for all adults at the end of life. This report sets out progress over the first year.
Annual Report The National Suicide Prevention Annual Report of progress in 2008 (10th July 2009)The report highlights progress made on a number of specific initiatives during 2008 as well as outlining some key issues for 2009. The suicide rate continues to fall and is now the lowest rate on record. In addition, there has bee a further fall in the rate of suicide amongst young men under the age of 35. There has also been a further reduction in suicides amongst mental health in-patients and in prisons. We cannot afford to be complacent however. Previously periods of high unemployment or severe economic problems have had an adverse effect on the mental health of the population and have been associated with higher rates of suicide. PCTs and other front-line agencies are aware of the situation and continue to identify and support vulnerable individuals wha are at risk.
Report
New online portal for cancer researchers unveiled (17th July 2009)The National Cancer Research Institute's free online cancer research portal, ONIX, has launched to the public today.
ONIX (ONcology Information eXchange) enables scientists and clinicians to search through and access internation research data held online - to improve the flow of cancer research information between individuals, institutions and organisations.
Information
Website Skin Cancer Website (July 2009)The South West Public Health Observatory has launched a website which aims to equip health professionals with information to promote skin cancer prevention and early diagnosis.
Website
Safeguarding Children - A review of arrangements in the NHS for safeguarding children (16th July 2009)The Care Quality Commission (CQC) today (Thursday) urges NHS trusts to respond to the tragic death of Baby P by delivering major improvements in compliance with measures to safeguard children. It is publishing a review of child safeguarding in the NHS, commissioned by the Secretary of State for Health as part of the response to the case of Baby P, now known as Peter.
Based on a detailed survey of 392 NHS trusts, the findings indicate that a majority of organisations had the right people and systems to help protect children. But they highlight worrying shortfalls in the numbers of staff up to date with mandatory training, designed to help them identify and respond to concerns.
Report Coercion and Consent - monitoring the Mental Health Act 2007-2009. The Mental Health Act Commission Thirteenth Biennial Report 2007-2009 (19th July 2009)The Care Quality Commission (CQC) today (Sunday) sets out its main concerns about the care provided to people detained under the Mental Health Act. It is releasing the final biennial report from its predecessor regulator, the Mental Health Act Commission (MHAC), covering the two-year period to 1 April 2009.
The report shows that during its visits to services and meetings with patients, MHAC found examples of people receiving effective treatment in appropriate and safe environments. But it also indicates that there is variation across services.
Report
Sexual abuse and therapeutic services for children and young people. The gap between provision and need (20th July 2009)A huge shortfall in therapy is leaving thousands of sexually abused children struggling to recover from their ordeal, a new NSPCC report reveals.
Each year at least 55,000 sex abuse victims face behavioural and mental health problems because of a post-code lottery in therapeutic services.
There is only one support programme for every 25,000 children living in the UK and many areas provide no therapeutic provision for sexually abused children at all.
Executive summary
Signs for Improvement: Commissioning interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm (15th July 2009)This guidance is designed to direct commissioners in areas where tackling alcohol harm is an identified priority, to the resources and guidance, which will assist them in commissioning interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm in their local community. It offers ways to improve commissioning, looking at each World Class Commissioning competency and all stages in the commissioning cycle.
Guidance World Class Commissioning Website (July 2009)A new website has been set up for the support and development of world-class commissioning. The site, which is hosted by NHS Networks and supported by the Department of Health, contains news, policy, guidance and other resources for commissioners against each of the 11 competencies. A discussion forum for sharing views and intelligence on key issues will be started later this month and the aim is to build a comprehensive database of good practice.
Website
Evidence for transforming community services (10th July 2009)The Health Services Management Centre (HSMC) at the University of Birmingham analysed over 18,000 studies to examine the evidence for a range of community services. This independent research was commissioned by the Department of Health to underpin the guidance within the 6 transformational guides and for information purposes all the studies are available on the links below.
Report
Safeguarding adults: report on the consultation on the review of No Secrets (17th July 2009)This is the report on the consultation on the review of No Secrets. The consultation was large and we are delighted that some 12,000 people participated. The report analyses the responses and the Government response will be published when this has all been carefully considered.
Response Response to the consultation on the Fairer Contributions Guidance (14th July 2009)The consultation set out proposals for introducing a model for councils to calculate what contribution, if any, an individual receiving non-residential social care funding should make to their personal budget. It included draft guidance for councils. This document gives a summary and analysis of the responses to the consultation.
Response
Proposed work programme and scales of fees 2010/11 and indicative fee proposals for 2011/12 and 2012/13 (6th July 2009)The Audit Commission is consulting on its proposed scale of fees for 2010/11 and the indicative fees for 2011/12 and 2012/13.
The proposals recognise the financial pressures that public bodies are facing in the current economic climate, so the Commission has decided to double the previously announced subsidy to local government bodies to cover the one-off element of the cost of transition to new International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
The Commission has brought forward the annual consultation on fees with the aim of publishing the final fee scales by the end of October. This is to help audited bodies take account of our proposals when they set their budgets and medium-term financial planning.
Closing date for comments is 4th September 2009.
Consultation Essence of care: a consultation on the reviewed original benchmarks (20th July 2009)Essence of Care is a versatile and structured system of benchmarks widely used in various health settings. The Department of Health (DH) has taken the opportunity with the launch of the new benchmark on pain to review all of the material to ensure the system continues to reflect best practice. The revision followed the same format as that for devising the benchmarks themselves, via focus groups whose membership comprised people receiving care, carers and staff. The DH are now ready to consult more widely. Closing date for comments is 2nd October 2009.
Consultation Essence of care: a consultation on a new benchmark on pain (20th July 2009)Essence of Care is a versatile and structured system of benchmarks widely used in various health settings. Essence of Care benchmarks are developed by stakeholders from focus groups that will use them. A focus group made up of carers, patients and professionals have met to review the benchmarks and this has led to a proposed new benchmark for pain management. The revision followed the same format as that for devising the benchmarks themselves, via focus groups whose membership comprised people receiving care, carers and staff. Closing date for comments is 2nd October 2009.
Consultation Consultation on the revision of the Fair Access to Care Services guidance to support councils to determine eligibility for social care services (14th July 2009)This paper is a consultation carried out by the Department of Health on the revision of the statutory guidance providing local authorities with a framework to determine individual eligibility for social care – the “Fair Access to Care Services” guidance. The draft revised guidance now put to consultation aims to reset the eligibility criteria framework within the policy context of personalisation and prevention set out in the cross-sector agreement for the transformation of adult social care - Putting People First. In light of the independent review undertaken by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) on the application of eligibility criteria, the draft revised guidance also aims to support councils to implement eligibility criteria in a way that is as fair, consistent and transparent as possible, taking into account the needs of the wider community as well as individual need for support.
Consultation
Shaping the future of care together (14th July 2009)
Shaping the Future of Care Together sets out a vision for a new care and support system. The Green Paper highlights the challenges faced by the current care system and the need for radical reform, to develop a National care service that is fair, simple and affordable for everyone.
Within the Green Paper, it sets out a number of consultation questions and asks everyone to provide their views about how they think Government can make this vision a reality and develop a care and support system fit for the 21st century. Closing date for comments is 13th November 2009.
Consultation Health protection regulations: a consultation (8th July 2009)A consultation on draft health protection regulations to be made under the amended Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, to continue the process of modernising health protection legislation in England. The regulations cover requirements for notification of disease caused by infection or contamination by chemicals or radiation, to allow prompt investigation and response; evidential requirements and safeguards for people who might be subject to a JP order under the amended Act; and updated local authority powers to protect public health.
Closing date for comments is 30th September 2009.
Consultation Three digit number to access non-emergency health care (9th July 2009)Following a major review of NHS services in 2007/8, the NHS Next Stage Review Final Report, High Quality Care For All, committed the Department of Health (DH) to explore the benefits of introducing a new, memorable, three-digit telephone number to help people find the right local service to meet their non-emergency but urgent, unplanned care needs.
The DH asked the Office of Communications (Ofcom) to undertake a public consultation exercise on the introduction of a 3DN to support access to non-emergency health care in January 2009. Ofcom is responsible for allocating three digit numbers in the UK and ensuring this limited resource is put to best use. Ofcom confirmed that it would undertake a consultation, which has now been published. Closing date for comments is 20th August 2009.
Consultation Consultations begin on guidance to doctors on research and making and using recordings of patients (8th July 2009)Doctors are being asked for their views on three pieces of draft General Medical Council (GMC) guidance.
- Good practice in research
- Consent to research and
- Making and using visual and audio recordings of patients
will update GMCs existing publications:
- Research: the role and responsibility of doctors (2002) and
- Making and using visual and audio recordings of patients (2002)
Closing date for comments is 25th September 2009.
Good practice in research and Consent to research consultation
Making and using visual and audio recordings of patients consultation
Delivering Better Oral Health An evidence-based toolkit for prevention - second edition (13th July 2009)The first edition of Delivering Better Oral Health: An evidence-based toolkit for prevention was published in September 2007.
The fundamental messages of the first edition have not been changed, but there have been updates to the lists of toothpaste fluoride content and sugar-free medicines. There are also amendments to the dietary and alcohol sections. The second edition will be sent to all general dental practitioners, and we hope that dentists will share it with their teams in order to improve delivery of prevention within the dental practice
Document
Safeguarding Disabled Children: Practice guidance (9th July 2009)This practice guidance makes clear that disabled children have exactly the same human rights to be safe from abuse and neglect, to be protected from harm and achieve the Every Child Matters outcomes as non-disabled children. Disabled children do, however, require additional action.
Guidance
Response to Independent Review of evidence regarding selection of techniques for the suppression of Legionella in water supplies of hospitals and other healthcare premises (16th July 2009)The Department of Health commissioned an Independent review of evidence in relation to legionella and other water borne infections in January 2009.
Report
Improving access, responding to patients: a how to guide for GP practices (June 2009)Practice Managers are leading advocates of new ways of working and are at the front line of establishing truly patient-focused services.
'Improving access, responding to patients: a how to guide for GP practices' celebrates some of these examples. It brings together good practice from around the country along with the benefits and drawbacks of different systems, services and approaches, with top tips and step-by-step guides to support practices respond to the ever growing needs and expectations of their patients.
Guide
Third Sector Investment Programme: Innovation Excellence and Service Development Fund 2010-11 - information pack for third sector organisations (20th July 2009)This document provides third sector organisations with information about the Third Sector Investment Programme’s Innovation Excellence and Service Development Fund.
Guidance
Services for people with rheumatoid arthritis (15th July 2009)Too many people with rheumatoid arthritis are not being diagnosed or treated quickly enough, and some services for people with the disease are not coordinated enough, according to a report published today by the National Audit Office. Delay in treatment is detrimental to patients’ health, their quality of life and, with three quarters of people of working age when diagnosed, the economy. The estimated cost to the economy of sick leave and work-related disability for people with rheumatoid arthritis is £1.8 billion a year.
Report Improving Eye Health Services (17th July 2009)This document is part of the ongoing Primary Care and Community Strategy to support the NHS in relation to World Class Commissioning and focuses on eye health services. It provides practical advice on how PCTs can: assess their current performance; identify their vision for the future and commission services that meet the needs of their local communities.
Guidance
Happiness Matters: Homeless people's views about breaking the link between homelessness and mental ill health (July 2009)Despite the many improvements to mental health services in the past decades, St Mungo's believes that still, even now, homeless people with mental health problems do not get the services they need. This report looks at access and barriers to services and support for mental health, the impact of drink and drugs, and emotional wellbeing.
Report
Executive Summary
Fairer contributions guidance: calculating an individual's contribution to their personal budget (14 July 2009)This guidance supplements the current fairer charging guidance. This new guidance provides councils with a model for calculating a person's contribution to their personal budget. Councils providing personal budgets should implement this section 7 guidance by March 2010.
Guidance Climate change and health: making the links (20th July 2009)The ancient Greeks and the Victorians both made the link between the environment and disease. In the 21st century, climate change poses the biggest threat to public health. Chief Executive of the UK Public Health Association, Angela Mawle, argues that local authorities are key to creating the right environment for the nation’s health.
Article
A Future Vision for Mental Health (7th July 2009)This report sets out a new vision for the future of mental health and well-being in England. Based on four principles, it outlines the priorities the Future Vision Coalition believe should underpin mental health policy for the next decade.
Report The Bradley report and the Government's response (Briefing 38) (21st July 2009)The Bradley Report made 82 recommendations to improve the treatment of people with mental health problems and people with learning disabilities in the criminal justice system. The Government's response accepted almost all of the recommendations in full or in principle.
This briefing paper examines these reports in terms of the mental health of offenders. It is our assessment of and response to their recommendations.
Briefing Paper Moving on Up (June 2009) ‘Moving on up’ reveals the barriers that are preventing patients with mild or moderate depression from accessing exercise on prescription. They include funding constraints within local government and primary care trusts, and that many GPs simply aren’t aware that exercise schemes are available in their area.
Report
Extending professional and occupational regulation: the report of the Working Group on Extending Professional Regulation (16th July 2009)This is the final report of the Extending Professional Regulation Working Group. The Working Group arose from a recommendation in the White Paper Trust, Assurance, Safety. The Report makes recommendation to Government as to how decision making on extending regulation could be taken forward. Any recommendations which are progressed and which involve a change of policy would require public consultation, equality and economic impact assessment, and be subject to the costs being affordable within available resources.
Report How cold will it be? Prospects for NHS funding: 2011-2017 (20th July 2009)NHS spending in England may have more than doubled in real terms since 1999/2000, but the prospects for future funding now look bleak. Although there is consensus that the NHS faces a tough financial future, there is no agreement about just how cold the financial climate will be. Starting with a look at historical funding for the NHS, The King’s Fund and the Institute for Fiscal Studies set out three plausible future funding scenarios and their consequences. The paper concludes with an assessment of each scenario and the options for funding up to 2017.
Paper From Feast to Famine. Reforming the NHS for an age of austerity (July 2009)Over the past two years the Social Market Foundation (SMF) Health project has examined the future of the NHS in the coming decade, in the face of demographic, technological and now economic change. in the context of a crisis in public finances the final report looks again at the sustainability of tax funding, and asks how an equitable health system can be safeguarded in the years ahead. The report examines whether new measures should be taken to manage demand for health services to relieve pressure on the NHS.
Report
Eczema (chronic) - alitretinoin: final appraisal determination (16th July 2009)After considering the feedback from consultation, the Appraisal Committee has prepared a Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) on alitretinoin for the treatment of chronic eczema of the hand, refractory to steroids 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 appraisal will close on 30th July 2009.
FAD Guidance on when to suspect child maltreatment. Clinical Guidelines CG89 (22nd July 2009)NICE has issued guidance to help healthcare professionals to identify children who may have been maltreated. The guidance provides a summary of alerting features that should prompt a healthcare professional to consider, suspect or exclude child maltreatment. Child maltreatment includes neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and fabricated or induced illness.
GuidanceRituximab for first line chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Technology Appraisal TA174 (22nd July 2009)NICE has published guidance on the use of rituximab for the first line treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. The guidance recommends that rituximab should be considered as a possible first treatment for people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia who are able to take fludarabine in combination with cyclophosphamide.
GuidanceSinus tarsi implant insertion for mobile flatfoot. Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG305 (22nd July 2009)Mobile flatfoot is a condition in which the foot becomes flattened when standing. It can occur in children, where it may self-correct, and in adults. It usually results from tendon damage. In most people this is asymptomatic, but in some it may cause pain or other symptoms. This procedure involves surgery to insert an implant just above the heel bone, with the aim of correcting the condition and improving symptoms.
GuidanceProsthetic lumbar intervertebral disc replacement. Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG306 (22nd July 2009)Artificial intervertebral discs have been developed to act as a functional prosthetic replacement unit for intervertebral units in much the same way as prostheses have been developed for a variety of joints such as the hip or knee. The design of most prosthetic discs is similar, with two metallic endplates separated by a more pliable inner core designed to emulate the biomechanical properties of the nucleus pulposus. The implantation of the prosthetic discs involves a small incision below the umbilicus. The diseased disc is partially or fully excised (depending on the prosthesis used). The vertebral endplates and surrounding spinal ligaments are preserved and help maintain implant stability. Single discs can be replaced, or alternatively, several levels can be replaced during the same surgery.
The standard intervention for patients with these indications would be discectomy and spinal fusion.
GuidanceLung cancer (non-small-cell, second line) - gefitinib (terminated appraisal. Technology Appraisal TA175 (22nd July 2009)NICE is unable to recommend the use in the NHS of gefitinib for the second-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer because no evidence submission was received from the manufacturer or sponsor of the technology.
Guidance
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for the treatment of hepatitis B. Technology Appraisal TA173 (22nd July 2009)The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has today (22 July) published final guidance recommending the use of tenofovir disoproxil for the treatment of people with chronic HBeAg-positive or HBeAg-negative hepatitis B in whom antiviral treatment is indicated.
This guidance does not apply to people with chronic hepatitis B who also have hepatitis C, hepatitis D or HIV.
GuidanceImage-guided radiofrequency excision biopsy of breast lesions. Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG308 (22nd July 2009)Breast lumps may need to be sampled to test for cancer. This minimally invasive procedure involves a small incision and insertion of a probe which uses radiofrequency energy to cut through the breast internally, aiming to remove the lump along with a small area of surrounding tissue to test for cancer.
GuidanceIntramuscular diaphragm stimulation for ventilator dependent chronic respiratory failure due to neurological disease. Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG307 (22nd July 2009)Some patients with spinal cord injuries cannot breathe on their own and require a mechanical ventilator to assist them. Intramuscular diaphragm stimulation involves keyhole abdominal surgery (laparoscopy) to implant electrodes into the breathing muscle (diaphragm) close to its main nerve supply. Wires are connected through the skin to a battery-operated electrical stimulation system which causes the diaphragm to contract as it does in normal breathing. The aim of the procedure is to allow patients to breathe without mechanical assistance and to improve their quality of life.
Guidance
North West Height and Weight Measurement 2008 (7th July 2009)This analysis of child overweight and obesity data has been produced by the North West Public Health Observatory on behalf of PCTs in the region. Last years report can be seen here.
Analysis
Swine flu: UK planning assumptions (16th July 2009)This document contains revised planning assumptions in relation to the current A(H1N1) Swine Flu pandemic. The assumptions are intended to assist local planning across all public and private sector organisations.
Planning assumptions are for both pan-UK and local areas, to take account of the potential variation in epidemic profile from one local area to another.
Guidance Pandemic flu: ensuring the NHS is ready (9th July 2009)Following the 2 July decision to move from containment to treatment of swine flu, all eyes are on the NHS as it takes the lead on national systems to deal with high numbers of cases.
The situation is changing daily but a new NHS Confederation briefing, Pandemic flu: ensuring the NHS is ready, looks at the planning that’s already taken place and sets out what boards need to be addressing now ahead of a potential further upsurge in flu cases in autumn 2009.
Briefing Swine flu: early epidemiology (13th July 2009)In the first months of its outbreak in the UK, H1N1 mostly affected young people, and was most commonly spread through contact at school, research by the HPA has shown.
These findings are based on an analysis of the first 252 cases of swine flu diagnosed in the UK after news of the virus broke.
Information
Works and Pensions Committee - Workplace health and safety: follow-up report - Fourth Report of Session 2008-09 (12th July 2009)Vol. I:
Vol. II:
Living with poverty: a review of the literature on children's and families' experience of poverty (20th July 2009)This report presents the findings from an extensive review of recent research examining the views and experiences of low-income children and parents, covering topics such as housing, schools, neighbourhoods, public services and family life. The author draws on evidence from in-depth interviews, focus groups, group work, case studies, participatory workshops and action research to describe the lived experience of contemporary poverty amongst children and parents in the UK.
Report
Practical predictive modelling (15th July 2009)These are the presentations from the Cheshire and Merseyside Public Health Network (ChaMPs) event that was held on 15th July 2009 at Stobart Stadium, Widnes.
Presentations
Research and development work relating to assistive technology 2008-09 (9th July 2009)Presented to Parliament pursuant to section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970
The report covers research and development work carried out by or on behalf of any government department in relation to equipment that might increase the range and independence of older and disabled people.
Report Audience Analysis Toolkit (July 2009)The Audience Analysis Toolkit for public sector bodies has been developed for the Strategic Content Alliance. The toolkit is aimed at practitioners and policy makers in public sector organisations and has a focus on researching users and non-users of digital resources and services in particular, although most of the approaches and methods could apply when researching users of other types of service.Toolkit
Moving forward: progress and priorities - working together for high quality sexual health: Government response to the Independent Advisory Group's review of the Sexual Health and HIV Strategy (21st July 2009)The Government published its response to the Independent Advisory Group’s review of the 2001 Sexual Health and HIV Strategy on 21 July 2009. The response outlines the progress made in improving sexual health since 2001 and responds to each of the national level recommendations put forward by the IAG.
Response
Shaping the future of care together (14th July 2009)Shaping the Future of Care Together sets out a vision for a new care and support system. The Green Paper highlights the challenges faced by the current system and the need for radical reform, to develop a National Care Service that is fair, simple and affordable for everyone.
Within the Green Paper, it sets out a number of consultation questions and asks everyone to provide their views about how they think Government can make this vision a reality and develop a care and support system fit for the 21st century.
The consultation will run from 14 July 2009 to 13 November 2009.
Publication
Understanding the Risks of Social Exclusion Across the Life Course (17th July 2009)This document reports the results of four studies that map the risk of social exclusion among people and families at key life stages.
Document
Strategic Health Authorities and GP Registrar (Amendment) Directions 2009 (14th July 2009)Directions on the payment of allowances to GP trainers.
Directions
Sustainable Development Action Plan 2009-11 (9th July 2009)Following publication of the Department’s sustainable development strategy (Taking the long term view: the Department of Health’s strategy for delivering sustainable development 2008–2011) this action plan sets out how we will meet the commitments and priorities within the nine opportunities we have to promote sustainable development from within the Department.
Guidance
Train to Gain: Developing the skills of the workforce (21st July 2009)At a cost of £1.47 billion by March 2009, Train to Gain had supported employer-focused training for over one million learners, and had developed a skills brokerage service with which a majority of employers was satisfied. But while Train to Gain has achieved undoubted benefits for employers, the National Audit Office (NAO) has concluded that over its full lifetime the programme has not provided good value for money.
Report
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.
The Impact of Alcohol in: Greater Manchester, fourth quarter May 2009 (6th July 2009)This report identifies available alcohol intelligence from across Greater Manchester. The data are separated into six categories: consumption, health related impacts of alcohol, crime, young people, and examples of interventions to tackle excessive alcohol consumption.
Report
Cancer Incidence and Survival By Major Ethnic Group, England, 2002-2006 (25th June 2009)The National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) and Cancer Research UK has today (Thursday) published the first report on cancer incidence and ethnicity. According to the report, black people were nearly twice as likely as white people to get stomach cancer. And black men were up to three times more likely than white men to get prostate cancer.
The report will help to shape policy on targeting relevant public health messages to the ethnic communities around the signs and symptoms of cancer.
Report
Promoting the Health of Looked After Children - A Study to Inform Revision of the 2002 Guidance (25th June 2009)The overall purpose of this research was to provide evidence to assist Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department of Health in revising the guidance on improving the health of looked after children (LAC).
The study took a multi-method approach and included 50 individual interviews with key stakeholders at national, regional and local level; an overview of relevant research and statistics; written comments from professionals engaged in implementing the guidance; and an analysis of information in Joint Area Reviews relevant to the health of looked after children.
Report
Recognising complexity: commissioning guidance for personality disorder services (2nd July 2009)Guidance for commissioners in the NHS, criminal justice system, local authorities and others, which provides information and suggestions on best practice when considering services and systems for people with personality disorders.
Guidance PBC two years on. Moving forward and making a difference? (1st July 2009)In 2007, a straw poll of GPs and practice managers by The King’s Fund and NHS Alliance found that primary care trusts (PCTs) were struggling to put in place the basic building blocks of practice-based commissioning (PBC). Two years on, has PBC moved forward and is it making a difference to patient care? A new poll has found continuing commitment to PBC and optimism about its potential but progress is still hampered by a lack of local vision, a lack of clarity over roles and responsibilities and bureaucratic governance processes. Moving into an era of restricted financial resources, it will become increasingly important for PCTs and practices to work together. Real clinician engagement – underpinned by locally developed visions, structures, agreements and lines of accountability – is key to the development of effective partnership working.
Document Primary Care and Community Services: improving GP access and responsiveness (7th July 2009)Part of the world class commissioning suite of practical guides, this document builds on existing good practice within the NHS to support PCTs in improving the accessibility and responsiveness of local GP services.
Guidance
Guide to world-class commissioning competency 5 (June 2009)A guide to improving performance on world-class commissioning competency 5 is now available. Sponsored by the NHS Information Centre and supported by the Department of Health, the guide includes facts about PCT performance on competency 5 in last year's assessment round and best practice profiles of the PCTs who performed best on the competency.
With its focus on knowledge management and needs assessment, competency 5 underpins all 11 competencies within world-class commissioning and is the one primary care trusts need to master to deliver high quality services for local people.
Guide
Standing together: Principles to reduce children and young people's involvement in gun and knife crime (7th July 2009)This report, from the Childreen's Commissioner, brings forward the views of children and young people on gun and knife crime.
The report sets out 10 key principles and explores risk factors, parenting support, education, support for victims and their relatives and friends, interventions and sentencing.
Report
Film
Transforming Community Services Quality Framework: guidance for community services (24th June 2009)This guidance sets out how the seven elements of the Quality Framework apply in community services. It includes a set of proposed indicators of quality that will be developed and assured for publication. The Department will be seeking views from interested stakeholders on these indicators.
Guidance Transforming Community Services: ambition, action, achievement (24th June 2009)These best practice guides have a vital role to play in the delivery of the intentions for High Quality Care for All: the Next Stage Review. They set out ambitions, taking action and measurement of the achievement and link with, should be read in conjunction with the quality framework/quality indicators.
Guides
Auditors Local Evaluation (ALE) 2009/10 (6th July 2009)The Auditor's Local Evaluation (ALE) assesses how well NHS organisations manage and use their financial resources and highlights areas for improvement.
The Audit Commission have launched a consultation on the ALE for NHS trusts framework for 2009/10. They propose to make the ALE approach more risk based and to carry out less work on ALE at the best performing trusts. Closing date for comments is 4th September 2009.
Consultation Consultation on the first phase of the Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England Post 2010 (Marmot Review) (22nd June 2009)The Review wishes to consult a wide range of Individuals, Groups and Organisations. The views drawn from the consultation will inform the ongoing work of the Review and feed into the second phase of the Review, due to report in September 2009. Responses to the consultation will be considered alongside further evidence and expert and stakeholder views. Closing date for comments is 5th August 2009.
Consultation
Evaluation of the Phase 2 Snack Right Social Marketing Project – Final Report (25th June 2009)The Cheshire and Merseyside Directors of Public Health decided in 2005 to focus on a single social marketing intervention on food.
The aims of this project were:- to improve the nutritional quality of snacks given to pre-school children in deprived areas of Cheshire and Merseyside
- to gain experience and build capacity in social marketing throughout Cheshire and Merseyside;
- to put marketing theory into practice on a Cheshire and Merseyside footprint
- to disseminate the learning in social marketing.
Thank you to the author, Lyn Winters, for forwarding this document to me for inclusion.Report
Keeping Cool in a heatwave (4th June 2009)Summer is usually enjoyable but very high temperatures and humidity can present a risk to health‚ and older people are particularly susceptible to heat-related illness.
This guide explains:
- how to protect yourself from the heat
- how to recognise heat-related illness‚ and what to do when someone shows signs of it.
Guide
End of life care strategy: quality markers and measures for end of life care (30th June 2009)The end of life care strategy published in July 2008 included a commitment to publish quality markers for end of life care.
This was a response to the SHA Pathway Chairs for the NHS Next Stage Review, who identified the need for a national approach in order to raise the quality of care for people at the end of life. The SHA Pathway Chairs helped produce the consultation draft which was published in November 2008. This publication reflects the comments the Department of Health received through the consultation.
Guidance Common core competences and principles for health and social care workers working with adults at the end of life. To support the National End of Life Care Strategy (26th June 2009)The National End of Life Care Programme has worked with Skills for Health and Skills for Care to outline the core skills and knowledge that will allow staff across health and social care to respond with confidence to one of the most challenging areas of care.
Common core competences and principles for health and social care workers working with adults at the end of life outlines the principles that underpin quality end of life care. The document is a guide to the core skills and knowledge that will equip you to play your part in the delivery of high quality end of life care.
Document
Learning disabilities directed enhanced services (DES) (24th June 2009)This new paper, from Primary Care Commissioning, provides four examples using different possible scenarios of how payments for the learning disabilities directed enhanced service should be calculated.
Paper
Multi-agency practice guidelines: Handling Cases of Forced Marriage (2nd July 2009)The Forced Marriage Unit has published a revised set of multi-agency practice guidelines for frontline professionals (such as teachers, police officers, social and health care professionals, housing officers) to help them to work more closely together and to better identify and protect children and adults at risk of forced marriage. The revised guidelines replace the existing individual guidelines which were tailored for specific professionals and now brings these together into one single document.
Guidelines Forced Marriage - Prevalence and Service Response (2nd July 2009)This research sought to improve understanding of the prevalence of forced marriage and to examine the way services are currently responding to such cases.
Report
Heart to Heart: Inherited Cardiovascular Conditions Services. A Needs Assessment and Service Review (July 2009)This new report from the Foundation for Genomics and Population Health (PHG Foundation), provides an overview of current service provision and an assessment of needs for patients and families affected by inherited cardiac conditions in the UK.
Report
Summary
Acute Kidney Injury: Adding Insult to Injury (June 2009)This National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) report highlights the process of care of patients who died in hospital with a primary diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI). It takes a critical look at areas where the care of patients might have been improved. Remediable factors have been identified in the clinical and the organisational care of these patients.
Report
Ground breaking - new ideas on housing delivery (7th July 2009)The double blow of the credit crunch and recession has hit the housing market hard and resulted in a severe reduction in the number of new homes being built. Given the current level of housing need, projected future demand for homes, and pressure on public finances, we could be feeling the impact of this slowdown for generations to come. Shelter, like many in the housing sector, believes that we must act now to reinvigorate housing delivery to ensure the continued supply of much needed new homes throughout the downturn and beyond.
Publication
Launch of the new cross-Government employment strategy for people with learning disabilities: Valuing Employment Now - real jobs for people with learning disabilities (24th June 2009)The Government launched Valuing Employment Now - real jobs for people with learning disabilities. This sets out an ambitious goal to increase radically the number of people with learning disabilities in employment by 2025. The Government wants as many as possible of these jobs to be at least 16 hours per week. The strategy includes action to raise expectations throughout the system that all people with learning disabilities can and should have the chance to work: from birth and early years through education, among health and social care staff, local authorities, employment agencies, employers, and people with learning disabilities themselves and their families."
Strategy
Knowing your Communities (6th July 2009)The Knowing Your Communities Toolkit helps organisations assess their current performance and understand what they need to do to improve.
Covering nine themes (community engagement, disability, gender, human rights, older people, race, religion, sexual orientation and young people), they provide clear examples of improved outcomes. Supported by case studies of notable practice and links to other web-based resources, the tools give a high level overview of current progress and potential next steps.
Toolkit
Death of the Smoking Den: The initial impact of no smoking legislation in England in 2008 (22nd June 2009)A survey has uncovered widespread problems with the implementation of the smoking ban in psychiatric units in England. The survey, published by the Mental Health Foundation, shows that 85% of respondents said that the ban had been implemented only partially, or not at all, effectively.
The survey recommends that the National Mental Health Development Unit (NMHDU) leads on gathering and disseminating good practice from successul units, as well as calling for a formal review of the impact of the ban by the Department of Health.
SurveyTaking a deep breath: the mental health implications of anti-smoking legislation in July 2007 (22nd June 2009)The evidence examined in this report shows that care is needed to ensure that the smoking ban brings opportunities for people with mental health problems to give up smoking. It also shows that careful monitoring is needed to ensure that imposition of the ban does not cause unnecessary distress and harm in in-patient settings.
Report Florid (30th June 2009)Florid is a website run by mental health service users for people who have experienced mental health difficulties. It’s a website which aims to bring together information relating to mental health in a way that is user-friendly and simple.
Website
Perinatal Mortality Surveillance Report 2007 (June 2009)This latest report from the Confidential Enquirty into Maternal and Child Health (CEMACH) show improvements in the stillbirth and neonatal death rates in the UK. The main findings are:
- For the first time since 2000, a significant fall in the stillbirth rate from 5.7 per births in 2002 – 2004 to 5.2 per 1, 000 births in 2007.
- The lowest neonatal death rate since 2000 (3.3 per 1, 000 live births).
- Similar improvements in the stillbirth and neonatal death rates among twins.
- A higher proportion of post mortem examinations being offered for stillbirths neonatal deaths compared to previous years, although this has been offset by higher proportion of parents/guardians refusing to have an examination. Information obtained from a post mortem examination can contribute to understanding the possible cause of a perinatal death which may help to inform future care.
Report
Government's Response to the Health Select Committee Report on Top-up fees (6th July 2009)This Command Paper sets out the Government's response to the conclusions and recommendations made by the House of Commons Select Committee report on Top-ups which was published on 12 May 2009.
The Government welcomes the Committee’s conclusion that Professor Richards’ recommendations on additional private care are the best option for the NHS.
Response Understanding personal health budgets (2nd July 2009)Further to the commitment made in High Quality Care for All to pilot personal health budgets, and the publication in January 2009 of Personal Health Budgets: First Steps, which set out the principles of personal health budgets and invited expressions of interest in the pilot programme, we have now published Understanding Personal Budgets. This leaflet is designed primarily so that organisations involved in developing personal health budgets, whether in a statutory or support role, will have consistent, accessible information to give to people who might be interested in having a personal health budget. It introduces the idea of a personal health budget and provides details of where to obtain further information. An easy read version of the leaflet will also be available.
Leaflet A year of progress towards High Quality Care for All (30th June 2009)Lord Darzi has today published his report High Quality Care for All: Our Journey So Far, which examines the progress that has been made since High Quality Care for All was published a year ago. Across each dimension of quality - patient experience, patient safety and clinical effectiveness - Lord Darzi has found that there has been real progress with patients already seeing the difference.
Report
Soft tissue sarcoma - trabectedin: appraisal consultation (29th June 2009)The Department of Health has asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to produce guidance on using trabectedin in the NHS in England and Wales. The Appraisal Committee has considered the evidence submitted by the manufacturer and the views of non-manufacturer consultees and commentators, and clinical specialists and patient experts. Closing date for comments is 21st July 2009.
ConsultationPreventing unintentional road injuries among under 15s: road design - evidence consultation (30th June 2009)NICE was asked by the Department of Health (DH) to develop ‘Produce guidance on public health interventions to reduce accidental injuries to persons under the age of 15 on the road’. All registered stakeholders are now invited to comment on the evidence that has been assembled to inform the development of this guidance. This evidence will be used by the Public Health Interventions Advisory Committee (PHIAC) to develop draft recommendations. The evidence comprises a review of effectiveness and cost effectiveness, a review of qualitative evidence and an economic analysis. Closing date for comments is 28th July 2009.
ConsultationPercutaneous intradiscal electrothermal therapy for low back pain (interventional procedures second consultation) (30th June 2009)The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is examining percutaneous intradiscal electrothermal therapy for low back pain and will publish guidance on its safety and efficacy to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NICE’s Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered the available evidence and the views of Specialist Advisers, who are consultants with knowledge of the procedure. The Advisory Committee has made provisional recommendations about percutaneous intradiscal electrothermal therapy for low back pain. Closing date for comments is 28th July 2009.
ConsultationBronchoscopic lung volume reduction with an airway valve for advanced emphysema (interventional procedures consultation) (30th June 2009)The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is examining bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with airway valves for advanced emphysema and will publish guidance on its safety and efficacy to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NICE’s Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered the available evidence and the views of Specialist Advisers, who are consultants with knowledge of the procedure. The Advisory Committee has made provisional recommendations about bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with airway valves for advanced emphysema.
This document summarises the procedure and sets out the provisional recommendations made by the Advisory Committee. Closing date for comments is 28th July 2009.
ConsultationNegative pressure wound therapy for the abdomen (interventional procedures consultation) (30th June 2009)The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is examining negative pressure wound therapy for the open abdomen and will publish guidance on its safety and efficacy to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NICE’s Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered the available evidence and the views of Specialist Advisers, who are consultants with knowledge of the procedure. The Advisory Committee has made provisional recommendations about negative pressure wound therapy for the open abdomen.
This document summarises the procedure and sets out the provisional recommendations made by the Advisory Committee. Closing date for comments is 28th July 2009.
ConsultationPhotochemical corneal collagen cross-linkage using riboflavin and ultraviolet A for keratoconus (interventional procedures consultation) (30th June 2009)The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is examining photochemical corneal collagen cross-linkage using riboflavin and ultraviolet A for keratoconus and will publish guidance on its safety and efficacy to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NICE’s Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered the available evidence and the views of Specialist Advisers, who are consultants with knowledge of the procedure. The Advisory Committee has made provisional recommendations about photochemical corneal collagen cross-linkage using riboflavin and ultraviolet A for keratoconus.
This document summarises the procedure and sets out the provisional recommendations made by the Advisory Committee. Closing date for comments is 28th July 2009.
ConsultationLateral (including extreme, extra and direct lateral) interbody fusion in the lumbar spine (interventional procedures consultation) (30th June 2009)The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is examining lateral interbody fusion in the lumbar spine and will publish guidance on its safety and efficacy to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NICE’s Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee has considered the available evidence and the views of Specialist Advisers, who are consultants with knowledge of the procedure. The Advisory Committee has made provisional recommendations about lateral interbody spinal fusion in the lumbar spine.
This document summarises the procedure and sets out the provisional recommendations made by the Advisory Committee. Closing date for comments is 28th July 2009.
ConsultationAcute coronary syndromes: draft guide consultation (3rd July 2009)A clinical practice guideline on Acute coronary syndromes is being developed for use in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Registered stakeholders for this guideline are invited to comment on the provisional recommendations. Closing date for comments is 28th August 2009.
Consultation Corneal endothelial transplantation: Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG304 (24th June 2009)Some diseases can effect the clear section at the front of the eye (the cornea), and in particular the layers that help maintain its clarity (the endothelium). This procedure aims to replace only the innermost layers of the cornea with a healthy section from a donor eye without disturbing the overall structure of the cornea.
Guidance
