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:

PATIENT AND PUBLIC INFORMATION

Important information about swine flu (30th April 2009)
Households across the UK will start to receive the Swine Flu Information leaflet from Tuesday, May 5. The leaflet includes information about what swine flu is and how it could spread, what UK governments have done to prepare for a wider outbreak of flu, how you can protect yourself against flu and what to do if you have flu symptoms.
Leaflet

PATIENT SAFETY

Female urinary catheters causing trauma to adult males (30th April 2009)
The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) is issuing guidance to all NHS and independent acute, mental health and primary care organisations in England and Wales on how to avoid accidentally inserting shorter-length urinary catheters - intended for use only in female patients - into male patients.
Guidance

PRESCRIBING

Prescribing savings in 2008 (12th May 2009)
In 2007, the National Audit Office (NAO) published Prescribing costs in primary care, which was accompanied by a table setting out potential savings that Primary Care Trust (PCT) could achieve. At the end of 2008 NAO commissioned Keele University's Department of Medicines Management to calculate the actual savings achieved. PCTs, in England, achieved total savings in 2008 of £394 million.
Information

PRIMARY CARE TRUSTS

Shaping PCT Provider Services. The future for community health (23rd April 2009)
Primary care trusts (PCTs) provide a broad and complex range of community-based services. However, the commissioning and management of these services have been a challenge for the NHS and in particular for PCTs. As PCTs provide community health services, there is a potential conflict of interest for their role as commissioners. The government is clear that PCTs need to separate their provider and commissioning functions. This report examines the issues surrounding the placement of community health services, the options proposed for their reorganisation, and the steps that must be taken to deliver the desired transformation in community health services.
Report

PRISONS/PRISON HEALTH

Lord Bradley's review of people with mental health problems or learning disabilities in the criminal justice system (30th April 2009)
This independent review was commissioned to examine the extent to which offenders with mental health problems or learning disabilities could, in appropriate cases, be diverted from prison to other services and the barriers to such diversion. The review has kept a broad remit and incorporated the range of mental health problems and learning disabilities across the whole of the criminal justice system, and made recommendations to government including the organisation of effective liaison and diversion arrangements and the services needed to support them.
Report

PUBLIC HEALTH

APHO Technical Briefing 5: Geodemographic Segmentation (27th April 2009)
In this briefing, the Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO), takes a summary overview of segmentation and then focus on one approach to segmentation using geodemographic methods. They then compare the most commonly available geodemographic segmentation tools, highlighting the possible applications within the health sector and discussing some of the factors that should be considered when looking to invest in a system.
Briefing

PUBLIC SECTOR

A guide to the public sector equality duties (22nd April 2009)
This report outlines public sector equality duties which give public bodies legal responsibilities to demonstrate that they are taking action on race, disability and gender equality in policy-making, the delivery of services and public sector employment.
Report

SEXUAL HEALTH

Rapid Sexual Health Needs Assessment (28th April 2009)
The Centre for Public Health have produced two reports looking at sexual health needs, demands and services in Halton and St Helens and Warrington Primary Care Trusts. Documents are quite large and may take some time to open.
Halton and St Helens PCT
Warrington PCT

SOCIAL CARE

Use of NHS number in social care: policy statement (22nd April 2009)
Ministers have decided that the NHS number may be used in social care for the purpose of linking social care as well as NHS records. This statement sets out the policy on which the decision was based. The NHS Connecting for Health NHS Number Team are developing advice on the processes and standards to support this recent policy decision.
Statement

STATISTICS

Report of the National Patient Choice Survey, England - December 2008 (7th May 2009)

NHS inpatient and outpatient waiting times figures, 31 March 2009 (1st May 2009)

Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to December 2008 (23rd April 2009)

Labour market statistics - May 2009: North West (13th May 2009)

Labour Market Statistics - May 2009 (12th May 2009)

GP Extended Opening Hours - April 2009 (12th May 2009)

Dental Contracts and Commissioning - January to March 2009 (12th May 2009)

Primary Care Trust Prescribing Data - April 2008 to December 2008 (7th May 2009)

Statistics on Deaths reported to Coroners, England and Wales - 2008 (7th May 2009)

NHS Maternity Statistics, England - 2007-2008 (30th April 2009)

Monthly Digest of Statistics - April 2009 (27th April 2009)

Key Population and Vital Statistics 2007 (23rd April 2009)

Mental Health Minimum Dataset (MHMDS) Data Quality (Trust Analysis) Report - 2007/08 annual and Q1 (refresh) 2008/09 (22nd April 2009)

Prescription Cost Analysis 2008 (21st April 2009)

Referral to treatment statistics (admitted patients, non-admitted patients and incomplete RTT times), February 2009 (23rd April 2009)

Genito-urinary attendance (GUMAMM), February 2009 (23rd April 2009)

Direct access audiology waiting times, February 2009 (13th May 2009)

Diagnostics waiting times and activity data: March 2009 (13th May 2009)

STRATEGIC HEALTH AUTHORITY

Creating an innovative culture (27th April 2009)
High Quality Care for All contained a commitment to establish a legal duty to promote innovation, to act as an enabling tool for SHAs to drive innovation forward locally. This best practice guidance document is intended to support SHAs in fulfilling their legal duty - it explains the purpose of the duty, what it means for patients, public and staff, and where to seek further information.
Document

STROKE

Demonstrating how to deliver stroke care for adults in the community (28th April 2009)
This is an updated version of LAC(DH)(2008)2. It gives information about the scope and purpose of funding which the Department of Health introduced last year for all councils with adult social services responsibilities in England to demonstrate how to deliver stroke care for adults in the community.
Circular

National Sentinel Stroke Audit Phase II (Clinical Audit) 2008 (23rd April 2009)
Despite many improvements in stroke services over the past decade, a quarter of patients in the National Sentinel Audit for Stroke 2008 were not offered the best treatment for stroke, a stay in a dedicated stroke unit.

The audit, funded by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP), was carried out on behalf of the Intercollegiate Stroke Group by the Royal College of Physicians' Clinical Effectiveness and Evaluation Unit (CEEu), and covers 100% of eligible hospitals in England Wales and Northern Ireland.
Audit

TOOLKIT

Participation Works Toolkit (7th May 2009)
A consortium of six children's charities has published a new toolkit on evaulating participation work. The toolkit comprises of three documents:

• Evaluation in a Nutshell
• Evaluating Participation Work - The Guide
• Evaluating Participation Work - The Toolkit

Information
Evaluation in a Nutshell
Evaluating Participation Work - The Guide
Evaluating Participation Work - The Toolkit

WORKFORCE/WORKPLACE

Adult social care workforce strategy (23rd April 2009)
Working to Put People First: The Strategy for the Adult Social Care Workforce in England outlines the workforce implications of Putting People First and provides a high-level framework to support the transformation of the adult social care workforce.
Strategy