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

An evaluation of the Young Persons' Alcohol Intervention Programme in the Wirral: an interim report (17th June 2009)
The Young Person’s Alcohol Intervention Programme (YPAIP) was established in Wirral to provide referrals to those arrested or stopped by police for an alcohol-related offence to a local support service for young people. This is delivered through Response (established as part of the Children and Young People’s Department). This interim report presents analysis of the existing data from Police and Response.
Report

Changing alcohol culture in Cheshire and Merseyside (16th June 2009)
The presentations, from the above workshop that was held on 16th June at Stobart Stadium, Widnes, are now available to download.
Presentations

ANNUAL REPORT

Department of Health: Departmental Report 2009 (11th June 2009)
This report, the Department of Health’s nineteenth annual report, plays a key role in the Department’s accountability to Parliament for its management of the public money invested in health and social care.

It provides a comprehensive overview of spending and investment programmes and of the system reforms accompanying this investment. It focuses on the continuous improvements being delivered for people using health and social care services and on the Department’s progress against its Departmental Strategic Objectives (DSOs) and Public Service Agreements (PSAs).
Report

Department of Health: Departmental Board Annual Report 2008-09 (18th June 2009)
2008-09 annual report of the Departmental Board
Annual Report

BLOOD

Government response to Lord Archer's Independent report on NHS supplied contaminated blood and blood products (16th June 2009)
This document sets out the Government's response to the report and recommendations of Lord Archer's independent inquiry, published on 23 February 2009. The inquiry examined the events of the 1970s and early 1980s, which resulted in the infection of many patients with HIV and/or hepatitis C through NHS treatment with blood and blood products.
Document

BULLETINS/NEWSLETTERS

Health Protection Report Vol. 3 No. 23 (12th June 2009)

Health Protection Report Vol. 3 No. 24 (19th June 2009)

Health E-news June 2009 (12th June 2009)

CDO Update, June 2009 (17th June 2009)

CANCER

Using self-directed learning as a way of developing new clinical skills for breast cancer specialist nurses. An evaluation report for the Department of Health (June 2009)
NHS Improvement has been working collaboratively with the University of the West of England (UWE), NHS SKills for Health and North Bristol NHS Trust in order to pilot and test a new approach to the development of clinical nurse specialist skills to support service improvement and to meet the new breast cancer waiting times.

A new work-based learning 12 month programme has been developed and the third round of this programme is now underway.
Document

The Excess Burden of Cancer in Men in the UK (15th June 2009)
This report, published by the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) and Cancer Research UK together with the Men's Health Forum, reveals that men are almost 40% more likely than women to die from cancer.

The report, to mark Men's Health Week, also reveals that they are 16% more likely to develop the disease in the first place.
Report

CARE QUALITY COMMISSION

NHS trusts need to do more to meet essential standards (18th June 2009)

All NHS trusts have now declared whether they are meeting core safety and quality standards. Overall, these declarations suggest that NHS trusts have made important improvements over the past four years:

• 9 out of 10 trusts say they meet at least 90% of our essential standards;
• more trusts say they meet standards that have proved challenging for the NHS in the past.

However, the Care Quality Commission are concerned that:

• only half of trusts say they meet all current standards;
• there is significant variation between regions;
• fewer trusts say they meet key standards on child protection, safety and employment checks.

Declarations

Phase one and two national priorty indicators (19th June 2009)
These documents details the approved phase one and two performance indicators that the commission will use as part of the 2009-10 periodic reviews.
Primary Care Trusts
Ambulance Trusts
Mental Health Trusts
Learning Disability Trusts

Reviews in 2009/10 (23rd June 2009)
This report describes how the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will assess health and adult social care services over the next year.
Report

CARE/CARERS

Supporting Young Carers (10th June 2009)
This report explores how effectively young carers are identified by councils and their partners. It also examines the assessment and delivery of services for young carers and their families.
Report

CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE

Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation (10th June 2009)
This guidance is aimed at local safeguarding children board partners, practitioners and other professionals working with children and young people. It is intended to help them safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people who are at risk of being, or who are being, sexually exploited. It is supplementary to, and should be used in conjunction with, the Government’s statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Guidance

COMMISSIONING

Commissioning in a cold climate (11th June 2009)
This discussion paper outlines the challenges facing commissioners over the next few years and identifies actions that PCTs might take to prepare their health economies for what is to come.
Document

World class commissioning monthly update June 2009 (10th June 2009)
Monthly progress report on the world class commissioning programme
Update

Regulated fertility services: a commissioning aid - June 2009 (18th June 2009)
An Expert Group on Commissioning NHS Infertility Provision was established by the Department at the beginning of 2008, with the aim of identifying the barriers to the implementation of the NICE fertility guideline and helping PCTs move towards the implementation of the guideline. 'Regulated fertility treatment: a commissioning aid' was produced by the expert group, and launched by Gillian Merron, Minister of state for Public Health.
Guidance

A guide to practice-based commissioners in developing good cancer care services (22nd June 2009)
This document supports the Cancer Reform Strategy commitment to developing world class commissioning of cancer services across the NHS. There will be a transition from central direction towards more locally driven improvement in cancer services and development of effective tools to support practice based commissioners in providing world class commissioning. This guidance is one of these tools and sits along side the cancer commissioning guidance and toolkit providing a range of benchmarked information and data.
Document

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Health Care and Associated Professions (Pharmacy): The Pharmacy Order 2009 Consultation Report (16th June 2009)
The Pharmacy Order 2009 was published in draft for public consultation between 9 December 2008 and 9 March 2009. This report provides information on the outcome of that consultation.
Response

Summary of responses to the 2004 public consultation 'Proposals to exclude overseas visitors from eligibility to free NHS primary medical services' (10th June 2009)
The consultation "Proposals to exclude overseas visitors from eligibility to free NHS primary medical services", set out proposals for introducing a system of charges for those overseas visitors who would not be eligible to receive free NHS treatment and sought views on how such charges should operate. This document gives a summary and analysis of the responses.
Response

CONSULTATIONS

A new objective for MRSA: National Quality Board stakeholder engagement (11th June 2009)
This engagement activity sets out proposals for an MRSA Objective and how it would to different organisations. Closing date for comments (24th July 2009)
Consultation

DATA PROTECTION

Privacy Impact Assessment Handbook Version 2.0 (June 2009)
The handbook, from the Information Commissioner's Office, is designed to be a practical and comprehensive guide, aimed at organisations who are developing projects that might have implications for people’s privacy. It will help organisations assess and identify any privacy concerns (a Privacy Impact Assessment) and address them at an early stage, rather than leaving the solutions to bolt on as an expensive afterthought.
Handbook

DENTAL

Review of NHS Dental Services in England (22nd June 2009)
This review, by Professor Jimmy Steele, was published today. The review has been running since December 2008 when the previous Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, appointed the review team to help the Government to ensure that every person who wants to access an NHS dentist can do so and that NHS dentists deliver high quality care and offer preventative work.
Letter
Review

DIET/NUTRITION

Real meals: simple cooking - cold food that tastes great (16th June 2009)
This is the second in a series of free "Real Meals" recipe books aimed at children, young people and families to help build on the cookery lessons children and young people are receiving at school. The book features healthy meals and snacks which have been designed to help children and their families prepare fun, nutritious and well balanced food.
Cookbook

DISABILITIES

Disabled Children & Health (22nd June 2009)
This report, published by Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM), highlights the failure of the NHS to meet even the basic needs of disabled children.
Report

DRUGS

Indications of Public Health in the English Regions 10: Drug Use (10th June 2009)
This tenth in a series of national reports produced for the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) by the Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO) is on drug use. The report contains 46 different indicators of drug use relating to the individual, community and population across all nine English regions; with additional analysis of sub-regional inequalities where possible.
Summary
Report

NDTMS Themed Report - Patterns of mortality amongst individuals in contact with drug treatment services in the North West of England - 5 years of data capture (12th June 2009)
This report details the causes of death of those identified, via the National Drug TreatmentMonitoring System(NDTMS), as having died whilst in contact with structured drug treatment services in the North West of England between 2003/04-2007/08. The identification of the causes ofmortality of those in treatment over five years has provided a rich source of information on the causes of death, both drug and non drug related.
Report

FINANCE

NHS IFRS Briefing paper 6: Accounting for PFI and LIFT schemes under IFRS (11th June 2009)
This sixth briefing paper on IFRS considers the accounting arrangements for PFI and LIFT schemes in the NHS. Further information for auditors will be published in line with the Department of Health’s future guidance on these matters when available.
Briefing

Health in a Cold Climate: Developing an Intelligent Response to the Financial Challenges Facing the NHS (11th June 2009)
This report, from Chris Ham, draws on discussions at a series of four seminars, the aim of which was to explore the financial context in which the NHS is working and opportunities for using resources more efficiently. The ideas set out in the paper are based on the presentations at the seminars and the points made in the discussions they generated.
Report

Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment (No 4) and Specification of National Minimum Percentage Uplift) Directions 2009 (16th June 2009)
The Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment (No. 4) and Specification of National Minimum Percentage Uplift) Directions 2009 were signed on 10 June 2009 and are for the most part effective from 1 April 2009.

This document puts in place:

• increases to certain SFE fees and allowances from 1st April 2009, linked to the recommendations in this year's Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body report
• minor changes to the Childhood Immunisation Scheme from 11th June 2009,
• removes some redundant text

Directions

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Freedom of Information in the NHS (4th June 2009)
This Briefing comes in response to the increasing number and complexity of requests NHS Confederation members are receiving under the Freedom of Information Act.

It is intended to be used as a practical guide to help NHS organisations fulfil the spirit of the legislation in the most timely and efficient way.
Briefing

GENERAL PRACTICE

Practice-based commissioning in action: a guide for GPs (11th June 2009)
Practice-based commissioning offers front-line clinicians the opportunity to play a major role in the development and delivery of strategies and activities that improve local health and well-being. However, many GPs don’t know how to get started, to make their ideas for change a reality.

This guidance in this section has been developed with support from the NHS Alliance and National Association of Primary Care (NAPC), and provided to every practice in the country in hard copy format. The pages on:

• Roles and responsibilities
• Capabilities and support
• Frequently asked questions, and
• Forthcoming events

are additional resources not provided in hard copy or PDF
Guidance

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Transforming health and social care: the Social Enterprise Investment Fund (17th June 2009)
This document contains information and guidance about the Department of Health's Social Enterprise Investment Fund (SEIF) and how the fund supports social enterprises in health and social care.
Document

HEALTH INEQUALITIES

Tackling health inequalities: targeting routine and manual smokers in support of the Public Service Agreement smoking prevalence and health inequality targets (22nd June 2009)
This guidance supports the achievement of the PSA smoking prevalence and health inequality 2010 targets. It provides PCTs and local authorities with a firm rationale as to why targeting routine and manual smokers will in turn help reduce smoking prevalence. Evaluation will occur during National Support Team field visits in addition to feedback from Regional Tobacco Policy Managers who will disseminate the guidance.
Guidance

HOUSING

Growing up in social housing in Britain: A profile of four generations from 1946 to the present day (18th June 2009)
This study describes how housing for families has changed over time and explores the relationship between social housing, family circumstances and the 'adult outcomes' for children who grew up in social housing – i.e. their experiences when they are adults.

The report and summary from this study is published by the Tenant Services Authority and supported by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Report

IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Impact assessment of maintaining access to medicines in the event of a pandemic (11th June 2009)

INEQUALITIES

Understanding attitudes to tackling economic inequality (22nd June 2009)
Research on public attitudes to inequality has tended to focus more on revealing attitudes than exploring what motivates them. This study aims to fill some of the gaps in existing research to provide useful insights for practitioners and policy-makers.
Study

Political debate about economic inequality: an information resource (22nd June 2009)
This study aims to increase understanding of how politicians think and talk about economic inequality, both in private and in public. It compares politicians' attitudes across and between five major political parties: the Conservatives, Labour, the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru, and the Scottish National Party. The research is particularly relevant given the recent turbulence with the financial system, the correspondingly high levels of attention upon the City and bonus culture, and the recession.
Report

INFECTION CONTROL

Reducing Healthcare Associated Infections in Hospitals in England (12th June 2009)
The Department of Health has met its target to reduce MRSA bloodstream infections by 50 per cent by 2008 and has made encouraging progress towards its target to reduce Clostridium difficile infections, according to a National Audit Office report published today. However, blood stream infections due to other causes may be increasing. There is also no national data that captures information on some of the most common healthcare associated infections, such as urinary tract infections and pneumonia.
Report

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Reviews of the National Programme for IT (June 2009)
Following a Freedom of Information request, the Office of Government Commerce and Department of Health have decided to make public a number of Reviews of the National Programme for IT.

The Department of Health's Director General for Informatics has recently made clear that if significant progress is not achieved by the end of November 2009, a new approach may need to be adopted.
Reviews

LONG-TERM CONDITIONS

Long term health conditions 2009: research study conducted for the Department of Health (18th June 2009)
This report presents the results of the second wave of a three wave tracking study commissioned by the Department of Health with Ipsos MORI. The aims of the research programme are to exploring attitudes towards 'self-care' and, more specifically:

• explore the general public's perceptions and behaviour with regard to both their own health and the NHS generally and
• capture the attitudes and behaviour of those people with a long term health condition with regard to the self treatment of their condition and their use of healthcare services

Report

MENTAL HEALTH

Joint commissioning framework for dementia (15th June 2009)
The National Dementia Strategy joint commissioning framework provides best practice guidance for commissioning dementia services. It includes a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment template, summary of NICE and SCIE evidence for dementia services, commissioning levers against each of the strategy's objectives and a summary of South East Coastal SHA dementia metrics.
Framework

Practical guide to preparing for mental health payment by results (15th June 2009)
A practical guide containing 10 actions to help local health economies prepare for mental health PbR.
Guide

Clustering booklet for use in mental health payment by results evaluation work (July-Dec 2009)
This clustering booklet contains the assessment tool (HoNOS PbR) and the 21 clusters developed by the Care Pathways and Packages Project. The clustering booklet is time-limited as work continues across the NHS to refine and validate both the assessment and the clusters. We aim to publish a revised version in December 2009 for use in 2010/11.
Booklet

Mental health payment by results: update (15th June 2009)
This letter provides an update on the latest developments on Payment by Results (PbR) for Mental Health and also clarifies the governance arrangements for this project. It is a sequel to the Department of Healths letter of 8 January 2009.
Letter

Mental Health Act 1983 Approved Clinician (General) (Amendment) Directions 2009 (12th June 2009)
Directions in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 8 and 273(1) and (4) of the National Health Service Act 2006(a), which amend the professional requirements for psychologists in Schedule 1 to the Mental Health Act 1983 Approved Clinician (General) Directions 2009.
Directions

Approved mental health professionals, approved clinicians and best interests assessors - guidance on changes to qualifying requirements for psychologists from 1 July 2009. (12th June 2009)
The introduction of the statutory regulation of psychologists from 1 July 2009 means that the qualifying requirements are changing for psychologists wishing to be approved mental health professionals (AMHPs) and approved clinicians (ACs) under the Mental Health Act 1983 or best interest assessors under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 deprivation of liberty safeguards (MCA DOLS). The Department of Health has issued the attached guidance note explaining the changes, which take effect from 1 July 2009.
Guidance

NHS

Understanding detailed patient experience data: toolkits for analysts (19th June 2009)
The Department of Health has developed a number of toolkits to help NHS organisations better understand and interpret their patient experience data. Patient experience 'First Steps' diagnostic tool aims to help organisations identify areas where they can improve the experience of patients. Toold for measuring 'Public confidence in local NHS' is designed to allow you to explore how the scores for your organisation are constructed and identify areas for improvment.
Toolkits

What do EU competition rules mean for the NHS?
The recent establishment of the NHS Co-operation and Competition Panel has drawn attention to the application of EU competition law to the NHS and whether the Panel will have any competence in this area.

The aim of this briefing is to explain what EU competition law is and our understanding of what it means for the NHS. It also provides some comments on the remit of the Panel.
Briefing

NICE

Alzheimer's disease - donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine and memantine (review): final appraisal determination (10th June 2009)
After considering the feedback from consultation, the Appraisal Committee has prepared a Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) on donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine (review) and memantine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease 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. Closing date for comments is 1st July 2009.
FAD

Leukaemia (chronic lymphocytic, first line) - rituximab: final appraisal determination (15th June 2009)
After considering the feedback from consultation, the Appraisal Committee has prepared a Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) on rituximab for first line chronic lymphocytic leukaemia 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.
FAD

Cervical cancer (recurrent) - topotecan: appraisal consultation (17th June 2009)
The Department of Health has asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to produce guidance on using topotecan 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 8th July 2009.
Consultation

Patient access scheme submission template (19th June 2009)
This document is the patient access scheme submission template for technology appraisals. If manufacturers and sponsors wish to submit a patient access scheme to the appraisals programme of the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) they should do so using this template. A patient access scheme will only be considered by the Appraisal Committee after Ministers have agreed in principle with the proposed patient access scheme. Closing date for comments is 19th June 2009.
Consultation

Review of the single and multiple technology appraisal processes. Section 5 - Patient Access and Flexible Pricing Schemes (19th June 2009)
The Institute has undertaken a review of the Guides to the Single and Multiple Technology Appraisal Processes. These guides contain information on how technology appraisals are conducted.

NICE had originally planned to publish updated guides on the Single and Multiple Technology Appraisal Processes in June 2009. However, the arrangements within the 2009 Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) agreement has required a further update to the process guides. Closing date for comments is 19th June 2009.
Consultation

Cetuximab for the treatment of metastatic and/or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Technology Appraisal Guidance TA172 (24th June 2009)
Cetuximab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy is not recommended for people with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell cancer of the head and neck.

Healthcare professionals should not stop prescribing cetuximab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for people who were already taking it when the guidance was issued. These people should be able to carry on taking cetuximab until they and their healthcare professionals decide that it is the right time to stop treatment.
Guidance

Lenalidomide for the treatment of multiple myeloma in people who have received at least one prior therapy: Technology Appraisal Guidance TA171 (24th June 2009)
Lenalidomide (used together with a medicine called dexamethasone) is recommended as a possible treatment for people with multiple myeloma who have already had at least two other treatments. The manufacturer of lenalidomide has agreed to cover the cost of the drug for people who stay on treatment for more than 26 cycles (normally a period of 2 years).

Healthcare professionals should not stop prescribing lenalidomide for people with multiple myeloma who were already taking it when the guidance was issued, but who have not already had two or more other treatments. These people should be able to carry on taking lenalidomide until they and their healthcare professional(s) decide that it is the right time to stop treatment.
Guidance

Percutaneous endoscopic laser cervical discectomy: Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG303 (24th June 2009)
Symptomatic thoracic disc herniation is when one of the discs in the top of the back which act as cushions between the bones bursts and pushes against the spinal cord or nerve roots that run through the backbone, causing: pain in the neck or back, weakness and numbness in the arms or legs, or bladder problems.

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

NURSING

Competences: an integrated career and competence framework for nurses working with HIV-associated lipoatrophy in adults (12th June 2009)
Facial lipoatrophy can be devastating for those affected. It can influence an individual’s sense of wellbeing, perception of body image and self-esteem. This in turn can increase anxiety levels, particularly when addressing the complexities of HIV-associated facial lipoatrophy. The role of the nurse is essential, not only in administering the corrective treatment, but also assisting patients in dealing with the psychosocial effects of facial lipoatrophy and implementing the appropriate actions. This document aims to provide a framework for nurses working in HIV-related medical aesthetics and, while not prescriptive, can be used as a template to guide clinical practice.
Document

OBESITY

Indicators of Childrens and Adults' Healthy Weight in North West Local Authorities (17th June 2009)
This report provides a summary (for each of the North West local authorities) of 29 measures that have, or are considered to have, an established relationship to weight - covering key themes such as food and diet, physical activity, breastfeeding and other related topics. The report is to be used in conjunction with the Healthy Weight Indicators tool, which is available at www.nwph.net/healthyweight.
Report

PANDEMIC INFLUENZA

Swine flu clinical package (16th June 2009)
The swine flu clinical package is a set of tools for use in a pandemic situation by frontline healthcare professionals.

The tools have been designed to be used during the phase of a pandemic when there is increased demand for clinical care and are designed to support and empower GPs, community nurses, midwives, health visitors, ambulance crews, emergency department doctors, nurses and those working outside their usual specialty area.
Guidance

The Flu Pandemic Game: a business continuity training resource (23rd June 2009)
The Flu Pandemic Game was originally developed by Camden Primary Care Trust using NHS resources in partnership with Camden Council. It was designed as a training resource for their staff and to help managers of local businesses and voluntary organisations develop their business continuity plans.

The Department of Health has adapted the game and there are two versions available, one specifically for use in GP Practices and the other for use by healthcare and other related organisations.
Resource

PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee - Energy efficiency and fuel poverty - Third report of session 2008-09 (10th June 2009)

Public Accounts Committee - NHS Pay Modernisation in England: Agenda for Change - Twenty-ninth Report of Session 2008-09 (18th June 2009)

PATIENT SAFETY

Review of patient safety for children and young people (17th June 2009)
This review highlights some of the patient safety issues for children, young people and their families, outlines current National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) partnership work streams and identifies key actions for stakeholders.
Review

PHARMACY

10 Key facts about the General Pharmaceutical Council (16th June 2009)
From spring 2010, the new General Pharmaceutical Council will replace the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain as the regulator for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Great Britain. This document explains the changes.
Document
More information

POVERTY

What are the implications of attitudes to economic inequality? (22nd June 2009)
This collection of three Viewpoints responds to work by the Fabian Society and Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) that looks at attitudes towards economic inequality and how to tackle it, and the political debate around it.

These Viewpoints and the research they respond to form part of a JRF programme on public interest in UK poverty.
Viewpoints

PRIMARY CARE

Better, Safer Doctors: implementing medical revalidation (June 2009)
From autumn 2009 all doctors who wish to practise medicine in the UK will require a Licence to Practise. This is the first step in introducing a system for regularly checking and assuring every doctor's continued fitness to practise, known as revalidation. This briefing explains the key elements of the process, sets out the various roles and responsibilities, and discusses the areas that remain to be resolved as revalidation gets underway.
Briefing

PRIMARY CARE TRUSTS

The Framework for procuring External Support for Commissioners (FESC): a practical guide (12th June 2009)
FESC is a practical and cost effective procurement tool to help primary care trusts (PCTs) address gaps in commissioning capability or capacity by providing easy access to high quality commissioning solutions from pre-qualified and experienced private sector partners. This brochure sets out what FESC is, why you should consider using it and how to do so.
Leaflet

Primary care trust survey: provision of IVF in England 2008 (18th June 2009)
The Department of Health sent a survey out to PCTs earlier this year about the provision of IVF treatment by PCTs. Each PCT provided the information. In some cases this information is for less than a full year.
Guidance

Patient and Public Engagement - the early impact of World Class Commissioning. A survey of Primary Care Trusts (8th June 2009)
Primary care trusts have reported significant changes to the way they organise patient and public engagement in commissioning, amounting to the beginnings of a cultural shift. However, the change may be mainly within the PCTs' own management, as the public have yet to have a strong influence on the content of most PPE strategies.
Survey

PUBLIC HEALTH

Informing Healthier Choices (15th June 2009)
Informing Healthier Choices is a Department of Health programme to make public health intelligence more accessible, useful and timely, and to give people the tools, skills and knowledge to use it.

This website is hosted through the Association of Public Health Observatories website
Website

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment North West Regional Review (23rd June 2009)
This report provides a summary review of the North West regions first programme of work on JSNA and highlights ways in which we can further develop the approach to better focus resources towards meeting public expectations. The report was commissioned to examine the overall JSNA process across all local partnerships in the North West. Joint Strategic Needs Assessment outputs from all 22 partnerships were reviewed for: inclusion of datasets and evidence; partnership work; local processes undertaken; and themes and priorities identified.
Report

ROAD SAFETY

Global status report on road safety (15th June 2009)
Approximately 1.3 million people die each year on the world's roads, and between 20 and 50 million sustain non-fatal injuries. The Global status report on road safety is the first broad assessment of the road safety situation in 178 countries, using data drawn from a standardized survey. The results show that road traffic injuries remain an important public health problem, particularly for low-income and middle-income countries. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists make up almost half of those killed on the roads, highlighting the need for these road users to be given more attention in road safety programmes.
Report

SOCIETY

Living with Social Evils - The voices of unheard groups (11th June 2009)
In a contribution to the JRF's 'social evils' series, Chris Creegan focuses on the social evils of British society experienced by people whose voices are not usually heard.

The research used workshops/discussion groups with lone parents, ex-offenders, unemployed and other vulnerable and socially excluded people to explore their personal experiences of living and coping with social evils. Suggestions for overcoming them point to both individual and collective responsibility.
Report

'Social evils' and 'social problems' in Britain, 1904-2008 (11th June 2009)
In a contribution to the JRF's 'social evils' series, Jose Harris examines social problems and changing perceptions of them since 1904.

Social evils, such as hunger and destitution, were seen by the Victorians as unavoidable. Joseph Rowntree's more positive philosophy promoted social research and intervention to transform 'social evils' into less malign 'social problems' that could be cured. However, some of these problems have subsequently reappeared.
Report

Reflections on social evils and human nature (11th June 2009)
In an extract from the book Contemporary Social Evils, Matthew Taylor examines how cultural theory can help us to understand the slide into social pessimism and the credit crunch.
Summary

SOCIAL CARE

AIDS support grant for social care for people with HIV/AIDS: financial year 2009/10. HIV capital grant for people with HIV/AIDS: financial year 2009/10 (18th June 2009)
This circular explains arrangements for the continuation in 2009/10 of the AIDS Support Grant. Authorities are also invited to bid for HIV Capital Grant for HIV/AIDS related housing and capital projects.
Circular

STATISTICS

Statutory Homelessness: 1st Quarter (January to March) 2009, England (11th June 2009)

Prescribing for Diabetes in England: An Update 2002-2008 (11th June 2009)

Attitudes to mental illness 2009 research report (12th June 2009)

Report on the experience of patients in Black and Minority Ethnic groups, based on data up to and including 2008 patient surveys (11th June 2009)

Patient experience PSA scores update based on data up to and including 2008 patient surveys (11th June 2009)

Diabetes in the UK 2009: Key statistics on Diabetes (June 2009)

Latest healthcare associated infection figures published by Health Protection Agency (18th June 2009)

Ambulance Services, England 2008-2009 (18th June 2009)

NHS Referral to Treatment Waiting Times - April 2009 (18th June 2009)

Labour Market Statistics - June 2009 (17th June 2009)

Labour Market Statistics - North West, June 2009 (17th June 2009) (zip file)

Focus on Children (11th June 2009)

TELECARE

Whole systems demonstrators: an overview of telecare and telehealth (16th June 2009)
The Whole System Demonstrator (WSD) programme is a two year research project funded by the Department of Health to find out how technology can help people manage their own health while maintaining their independence. The WSD programme is believed to be the largest randomised control trial of telecare and telehealth in the world to date.
Leaflet