ACTS/BILLS

Health Bill 2009 (16th January 2009)
The Health Bill was introduced into Parliament on 15 January 2009. It proposes measures to improve the quality of NHS care, the performance of NHS services, and to improve public health.
Health Bill

Health Bill 2009 - Equality Impact Assessment (16th January 2009)

The Health Bill 2009 was introduced to Parliament on 15 January. It includes proposals to remove tobacco displays in shops and to restrict the sale of cigarettes from vending machines, which were discussed in the consultation on the future of tobacco control.

Equality Impact Assessment and related documents

Impact assessment for the Health Bill 2009 (16th January 2009)

The Health Bill was introduced to Parliament on 15 January 2009. The Department of Health has published impact assessments for those areas of the Bill which meet the thresholds for requiring an impact assessment.

Regulatory Impact Assessment

BULLETINS/NEWSLETTERS

Health Protection Report Vol. 3 No. 1 (9th January 2009)

Health Protection Report Vol. 3 No. 2 (16th January 2009)

Telecare eNewsletter December 2008 (13th January 2009)

CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE

Bereavement in the Secure Setting (14th January 2009)

The Childhood Bereavement Network (CBN) has published a briefing paper revealing that bereavement is a major but often overlooked issue for young people in secure settings. This briefing suggests that appropriate and well-timed support combined with a safe environment and well-trained staff can help young people to manage the impact of death on their lives, both in secure settings and on release.
Briefing

COMMISSIONING

Transforming community services and world class commissioning: resource pack for commissioners of community services (13th January 2009)
This resource pack sets out the principles of good practice when commissioning community services, showcases examples of existing good practice through case studies in 6 clinical areas and signposts commissioners to the most pertinent and relevant information.
Resource Pack

Cancer Commissioning Guidance (12th January 2009)
The cancer commissioning guidance announced as part of the Cancer Reform Strategy has been developed to support world-class commissioning of cancer services across the NHS. The guidance sets out, in an easy-to-use format, key issues and questions that commissioners and cancer network teams will want to take into consideration when assessing health needs, reviewing services, developing their contract service specifications and monitoring performance.
Guidance

Supporting people with long term conditions: commissioning personalised care planning - a guide for commissioners (19th January 2009)
This guide will provide commissioners of health and social care services with the information and support they need to embed personalised care planning in their localities.
Guidance

Information for commissioning end of life care (January 2009)
This information from the National End of Life Care Programme team, in conjunction with the Department of Health, commissioning work group, the end of life care service specification working group and individual commissioners, will support the commissioning of a whole-systems approach to end of life care and is intended for Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), practice based commissioners, mental health service commissioners, older people service commissioners and long term condition service commissioners.
Information

Commissioning to improve oral health (12th January 2009)
NHS PCC has published a paper covering the background and approach to commissioning for improvement in oral health. Based on a presentation at the "Delivering better oral health - embedding prevention in NHS practice" events in September 2008, the paper includes a step by step guide to strategic planning for prevention.
Paper

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Removing or suspending chairs and non-executives of Health Bodies: feedback on the consultation to introduce powers of suspension (16th January 2009)

This document summarises the feedback from the consultation that was carried out from 17th July 2008 - 9th October 2008 and includes an attached copy of the revised version of the Appointments Commission’s policy documents.

Consultation Response

Pharmacy in England: building on strengths, delivering the future: proposals for legislative change - consultation summary report relating to proposals for primary legislation (16th January 2009)

This report contains an analysis of consultation responses on proposals relating to primary legislation together with feedback from public listening events.

Consultation Response

Response to Consultation on a regime for unsustainable NHS providers (16th January 2008)

This document sets out the Government response to the consultation on the regime for unsustainable NHS providers, published by the Department of Health on 10 September 2008.

Consultation Response

Response to consultation on changes to arrangements for regulating NHS bodies in relation to healthcare associated infections (12th January 2008)

The Department of Health has now considered the responses to the the "Changes to arrangements for regulating NHS Bodies in relation to healthcare associated infections for 2009/10" and has reviewed it's policy on how NHS organisations will register with the Care Quality Commission against requirements regarding healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) in 2009/10.

Consultation Response

Summary of responses to the consultation on valuing people now: from progress to transformation (19th January 2009)

'Valuing People Now' sets out the Government's strategy for people with learning disabilities for the next three years following consultation. It also responds to the main recommendations in 'Healthcare for All'; the independent inquiry into access to healthcare for people with learning disabilities.
Consultation Response

CONSULTATIONS

The Health Professions Council (Constitution) Order 2009 - a paper for consultation (16th January 2009)

This draft order sets out a proposed constitution for the HPC. It provides details of the composition of the council, the terms of office of council members, and criteria for the disqualification, suspension or removal of members from office. Closing date for comments is 17th April 2009.

Consultation documents

DENTAL

Further Government response to the Health Select Committee report on dental services (20th January 2009)

The House of Commons Health Select Committee published its report on dental services on 2 July 2008. The Government published an interim response on 7 October 2008. This Command Paper sets out the Government's further response to the conclusions and recommendations in the report.
Government Response

DOCTORS

Good Medical Practice in Action (12th January 2009)

The General Medical Council (GMC) has launched a new set of interactive case studies to bring its ethical guidance to life. The case studies deal with a variety of issues in both hospital and GP settings and involve children as well as adults as patients.
Information

GUIDANCE/GUIDELINES

Inspiring leaders: leadership for quality (20th January 2009)
This is the first national guidance on talent and leadership planning for the NHS. Strategic health authorities (SHAs) have a key role to play in fostering investment and collaboration so that the right conditions are in place for improving talent and leadership development.
Guidance

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Dignity in Care Survey (19th January 2009)

Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP) are asking health and social care workers how they feel about working in this sector with the recent media focus on negative care stories. The survey is 4 short YES or No questions.
Survey

HEALTHCARE COMMISSION

Emergency Department Survey 2008 (14th January 2008)

The emergency department survey involved 151 acute NHS trusts. Patients were eligible for the survey if they were aged 16 years or over and had attened the emergency department between January-March 2008. Almost 50,000 patient responded - a response rate of 40%. The survey showed:

• overall, patients were positive about the standard of care in A&E departments.
• Improvements in communication with staff.
• Progress with staff helping to control patients' pain, although there is room for improvement
• Improvement in provision of information on discharge, but over a third of people said they left A&E without all the information they needed.
• No significant improvement since 2004 in patients' views on the cleanliness of departments.
• Improvements could be made in some areas relating to respect and dignity.
• A decline in the number of patients who felt they were involved in decisions about their care as much as they wanted to be.
• Respondents felt they waited longer at various stages of their care than in 2004.

Full National Results
Individual Trust Results
Press Release and further information

INFECTION CONTROL

Clostridium difficile infection: how to deal with the problem (15th January 2008)
Based on a report by a working group established by the Health Protection Agency's Steering Group on Healthcare Associated Infection, the guidance gives advice on the most effective methods of prevention and control of this infection and the management of outbreaks.

Guidance

LEARNING DISABILITIES

Valuing people now: a new three-year strategy for people with learning disabilities (19th January 2009)
Following consultation, this document sets out the Government's strategy for people with learning disabilities. It also responds to the main recommendations in 'Healthcare for All', the independent inquiry into access to healthcare for people with learning disabilities.
Strategy

Valuing people now: the delivery plan (19th January 2009)
The delivery plan sets out the governance structure and the actions, with timescales and responsibilities, that will be taken to support the implementation of the above strategy.
Delivery Plan

MEDICINES

PCT decision making processes on medicines (20th January 2009)

Draft Directions have been drawn up to underpin the guiding principles for processes supporting local decision making about medicines. The Directions will come into force on 1 April 2009.
Draft Directions

MIGRATION

Health & Migration in the North West of England (published November 2008 new to website 15th January 2009)

This report is a snapshot within the changing environments of health and migration. It identifies some of the key issues; highlights some good practice examples in the North West and puts forward a number of proposals. It will also inform the ongoing work of the Health Interest Sub-Group of the Regional Strategic Migration Partnership.
Full Report
Summary

MENTAL HEALTH

Outcomes compendium: helping you select the right tools for best mental health care practice in your field (21st January 2009)
The compendium provides information on available outcomes measures tools for use in mental health services.
Compendium

NHS

Religion or belief: a practical guide for the NHS (9th January 2009)
This guidance is designed to assist NHS organisations to implement and comply with the requirements of legislation on religion or belief enacted recently, and also provides general practical guidance around the issues that fall out of that for the NHS.
Guidance

Personal health budgets: the shape of things to come? (16th January 2009)
The 2008 NHS Next Stage Review endorsed the proposal to include NHS funding within personal budgets. This report explores the potential of personalisation and is designed to stimulate further debate on how this development will impact on mainstream commissioning and provision of NHS services.
Document

NHS CONSTITUTION

The NHS Constitution: Government response to consultation (21st January 2009)
This document sets out the Government's response to the draft Constitution, which ran from 30 June 2008 until 17th October 2008.
Government Response

The NHS Constitution for England (21st January 2009)
Subject to Parliamentary approval, all NHS bodies and private and third-sector providers supplying NHS services in England will be required by law to take account of the Constitution in their decisions and actions. The Government will have a legal duty to renew the Constitution every 10 years.
Constitution
Impact Assessment

The statement of NHS accountability for England (21st January 2009)
The Constitution commits the Government to providing a statement of NHS accountability. This document accompanies the NHS Constitution, and provides a summary of the structure and functions of the NHS.
Document

The Handbook to the NHS Constitution for England (21st January 2009)
This Handbook will give NHS staff and patients all the information they need about the NHS Constitution in one place.
Handbook

The Primary Care Trusts (Choice of Secondary Care Provider) Directions 2009 (21st January 2009)
These Directions give effect to the right of choice outlined in the NHS Constitution.
Directions

Implementation of the right to choice and information set out in the NHS Constitution (13th January 2009)
This document provides guidance for primary care trusts (PCTs) on the duties placed on them in the Primary Care Trust (Choice of Secondary Care Provider) Directions 2009.
Document

NICE

Tailor-made resources...bespoke tools for Induction of Labour and Osteoporosis (January 2009)
NICE aim to respond to the needs of the NHS to help clinicians, managers and organisations implement NICE Guidance. Their planning process seeks advice from representatives of relevant groups involved in providing care, from clinical specialists to patient groups. Sometimes a little extra help is needed with specific pieces of guidance, Induction of Labour and Osteoporosis are two recent examples.
Resources

Latest implementation tools (14th January 2009)
Tools to aid implementation of recently published NICE guidance.

Surgical site infection: audit support

Mental wellbeing and older people: audit support

Ulcerative colitis (acute exacerbations) - infliximab: costing tool and audit support

Osteoporosis - primary prevention: costing template, slide set and audit support

Osteoporosis - secondary prevention including strontium ranelate: costing template, slide set and audit support

Hyperuricaemia - febuxostat: costing tool and audit support

New Commissioning Guides (January 2009)
Four new commissioning guides are now available to help the NHS in England effectively commission evidence-based care for patients. The guides cover services for:
• otitis media with effusion
• patient education for people with diabetes type 2
• diagnosis and initial management of stroke
• diagnosis and initial management of transient ischaemic attack
Guides

Coeliac disease: guideline consultation (15th January 2009)
A clinical practice guideline on Coeliac disease is being developed for use in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The provisional recommendations do not constitute the Institute's formal guidance on this topic and they may change after consultation. Closing date for comments is 12th February 2009.
Consultation documents

Neuropathic pain (adults) - pharmacological management (non-specialist settings): scope consultation (16th January 2009)
NICE have been asked to develop a clinical practice guideline on Neuropathic pain - pharmacological management for use in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The draft scope defines what aspects of care the guideline will cover and to whom it will apply. Closing date for comments is 13th February 2009.
Consultation documents

OPHTHALMOLOGY

General Ophthalmic Services: payments to persons suspended from general ophthalmic services performers lists (15th January 2009)
The attached determination is to help primary care trusts calculate how much should be paid to persons suspended from ophthalmic performers lists.
Guidance

General Ophthalmic Services: increases to NHS sight test fee for the period 1 April 2008 and 31 July 2008 (20th January 2009)
Letter announcing the increase in fee for the NHS sight test and domicilliary sight testing allowances.
Letter

The General Ophthalmic Services Contracts (Payments) (No 3) Directions 2009 (21st January 2009)
The Secretary of State for Health, in exercise of powers conferred by section 120 of the National Health Service Act 2006(a), having consulted bodies appearing to him to be representative of persons to whose remuneration they relate, gives the following Directions.
Directions

PANDEMIC INFLUENZA

Preparing for pandemic influenza - Guidance for GP practices (7th January 2008)
This new guidance, produced jointly by the BMA's GPs committee and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), and supported by the Department of Health, warns that a pandemic will put the NHS under "unprecedented pressure" and that general practice in particular will be "streteched beyond its current limits."
Guidance

PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Health Committee - NHS Next Stage Review - First Report of Session 2008-09 (13th January 2009)
Vol I
Vol II

Joint Committee on Human Rights - A Bill of Rights for the UK? Government Response to the Committee's Twenty-ninth Report of Session 2007-08 - Third Report of Session 2008-09 (19th January 2009)

Joint Committee on Human Rights - The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - First Report of Session 2008-09 (4th January 2009)

PHARMACY

Prescription Charges Review - Web Survey (16th January 2009)
Professor Ian Gilmore, President of the Royal College of Physicians, is carrying out a review of prescription charges for people with long term conditions. The Department of Health is hosting a short survey regarding the proposed exemption of prescription charges for patients with long term conditions.
Survey

POVERTY

Nice Work If You Can Get It. Achieving a sustainable solution to low pay and in-work poverty (7th January 2008)
Persistently high levels of low pay and in-work poverty in the UK reveal a blind spot in the Government's otherwise impressive record on employment and poverty. This report makes the case for a coherent strategy to deal with the twin challenges of low pay and in-work poverty that emphasises job quality and career progression and recognises the needs of different families. This is the third paper in the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) 'Working Out of Poverty' series, a project to develop proposals to end the injustice of in-work poverty, through promoting greater fairness and opportunity to progress in the labour market.
Executive Summary
Full Publication

PRIMARY CARE TRUSTS

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessments (PNAs) as part of world class commissioning: guidance for primary care trusts (January 2009)

NHS Employers has developed new guidance for primary care trusts on how to produce pharmaceutical needs assessments (PNA), in the broader context of world class commissioning. The guidance is aimed at directors of commissioning and pharmacy leads in PCTs, to help them develop a plan for how they will prepare their own PNA to deliver improved services for patients in their local area. It will also be of interest to providers of pharmaceutical services.
Guidance

PROCUREMENT

Desk guide to procurement - 2008 edition (12th January 2009)

The guide outlines the main considerations and processes involved in making a purchase on behalf of the Department of Health. The Procurement Centre for Evidence (PCoE) maintains the guide and can give advice on its implementation.

Guide

PROVIDERS

Transforming community services: enabling new patterns of provision (13th January 2009)

This enabling guidance is intended to help PCT providers of community services to move their relationship with their commissioners to a purely contractual one, consider what type(s) of organisations would best meet the future needs of patients and local communities, and how change can be managed to support the transformation of services to patients.

Guidance

PUBLIC SERVICES

Prospects for more local, more personalised public services: a North East perspective (19th January 2009)

This discussion paper sets out some of the key questions that Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) north's Commission on Public Sector Reform in the North East will be considering over the coming months, and the analysis that forms the backdrop to these questions. The commission brings together a number of senior figures from the region's public, private and voluntary sectors and is looking in particular at four key public service sectors: Education, Health, Welfare-to-work and Criminal Justice.
Paper

RECORDS MANAGEMENT

Records Management: NHS code of practice (published April 2006 updated 8th January 2009)

This is a guide to the required standards of practice in the management of records for those who work within or under contract to NHS organisations in England. As a result of a review, part 2 of the code has been updated.
Guidance

SMOKING/TOBACCO

Equality impact screening assessments (16th January 2009)

The Health Bill 2009 was introduced to Parliament on 15 January. It includes proposals to remove tobacco displays in shops and to restrict the sale of cigarettes from vending machines, which were discussed in the consultation on the future of tobacco control. These are the two equality impact screening assessments for the proposals.
Equality impact screening assessments

STATISTICS

NHS Inpatient and Outpatient Waiting Times, 30 November 2008, and revisions for April to October 2008 (9th January 2009)

Clostridium difficile infections continue to fall (15th January 2009)

Continued increase in measles cases (9th January 2009)

Prescribing by Dentists, England 2007 (15th January 2009)

Direct Access Audiology, October 2008 (14th January 2009)

Statistics on NHS stop smoking services in England, April 2008 to September 2008 (Q2 Quarterly report) (20th January 2008)
National Tables
SHA Tables
PCT Tables
Appendices

Diagnostics waiting times and activity data: month ending 30 November 2008 (14th January 2008)

Referral to treatment statistics (admitted patients, non-admitted patients and incomplete RTT times), October 2008 (8th January 2008)

VULNERABLE PEOPLE

Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) scheme in England and Wales for adult placement schemes, domiciliary care agencies and care homes: a practical guide (16th January 2009)
Guidance on, and background to, the POVA scheme, with FAQs.

Guidance

WORKFORCE/WORKPLACE

Top tips for healthier workplaces (7th January 2009)
This is the third in a series of top tips documents, produced by Cheshire and Merseyside Partnerships for Health (ChaMPs) aimed at promoting public health in a range of settings.
Executive Summary
Full Report