This bulletin highlights recently produced documents that have appeared on websites. The aim is to trawl the web and produce a fortnightly review of what is found (coverage may not be comprehensive). If you have any comments or suggestions regarding this Bulletin, please send an email to library.pct@sthk.nhs.uk. All links are correct at time of publishing. Some documents are large and may take time to open so please be patient when waiting for links to open. If a link is incorrect please email me and I will correct the link and send you the document.For those that are receiving this through an email or through a third party you can view the original Bulletin at http://www.newdocumentsbulletin.blogspot.com/ and also sign up to receive the Bulletin by RSS.
Protecting young people from alcohol related harm (14th July 2009)This report reviews a number of work-based projects focused on preventing under-age access to alcohol, improving compliance with The Licensing Act 2003 and reducing the burdens of alcohol-related harm on society.
Report
End of life care strategy: first annual report (14th July 2009)In July 2008 the Department of Health published the End of life care strategy - promoting high quality care for all adults at the end of life. This report sets out progress over the first year.
Annual Report The National Suicide Prevention Annual Report of progress in 2008 (10th July 2009)The report highlights progress made on a number of specific initiatives during 2008 as well as outlining some key issues for 2009. The suicide rate continues to fall and is now the lowest rate on record. In addition, there has bee a further fall in the rate of suicide amongst young men under the age of 35. There has also been a further reduction in suicides amongst mental health in-patients and in prisons. We cannot afford to be complacent however. Previously periods of high unemployment or severe economic problems have had an adverse effect on the mental health of the population and have been associated with higher rates of suicide. PCTs and other front-line agencies are aware of the situation and continue to identify and support vulnerable individuals wha are at risk.
Report
New online portal for cancer researchers unveiled (17th July 2009)The National Cancer Research Institute's free online cancer research portal, ONIX, has launched to the public today.
ONIX (ONcology Information eXchange) enables scientists and clinicians to search through and access internation research data held online - to improve the flow of cancer research information between individuals, institutions and organisations.
Information
Website Skin Cancer Website (July 2009)The South West Public Health Observatory has launched a website which aims to equip health professionals with information to promote skin cancer prevention and early diagnosis.
Website
Safeguarding Children - A review of arrangements in the NHS for safeguarding children (16th July 2009)The Care Quality Commission (CQC) today (Thursday) urges NHS trusts to respond to the tragic death of Baby P by delivering major improvements in compliance with measures to safeguard children. It is publishing a review of child safeguarding in the NHS, commissioned by the Secretary of State for Health as part of the response to the case of Baby P, now known as Peter.
Based on a detailed survey of 392 NHS trusts, the findings indicate that a majority of organisations had the right people and systems to help protect children. But they highlight worrying shortfalls in the numbers of staff up to date with mandatory training, designed to help them identify and respond to concerns.
Report Coercion and Consent - monitoring the Mental Health Act 2007-2009. The Mental Health Act Commission Thirteenth Biennial Report 2007-2009 (19th July 2009)The Care Quality Commission (CQC) today (Sunday) sets out its main concerns about the care provided to people detained under the Mental Health Act. It is releasing the final biennial report from its predecessor regulator, the Mental Health Act Commission (MHAC), covering the two-year period to 1 April 2009.
The report shows that during its visits to services and meetings with patients, MHAC found examples of people receiving effective treatment in appropriate and safe environments. But it also indicates that there is variation across services.
Report
Sexual abuse and therapeutic services for children and young people. The gap between provision and need (20th July 2009)A huge shortfall in therapy is leaving thousands of sexually abused children struggling to recover from their ordeal, a new NSPCC report reveals.
Each year at least 55,000 sex abuse victims face behavioural and mental health problems because of a post-code lottery in therapeutic services.
There is only one support programme for every 25,000 children living in the UK and many areas provide no therapeutic provision for sexually abused children at all.
Executive summary
Signs for Improvement: Commissioning interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm (15th July 2009)This guidance is designed to direct commissioners in areas where tackling alcohol harm is an identified priority, to the resources and guidance, which will assist them in commissioning interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm in their local community. It offers ways to improve commissioning, looking at each World Class Commissioning competency and all stages in the commissioning cycle.
Guidance World Class Commissioning Website (July 2009)A new website has been set up for the support and development of world-class commissioning. The site, which is hosted by NHS Networks and supported by the Department of Health, contains news, policy, guidance and other resources for commissioners against each of the 11 competencies. A discussion forum for sharing views and intelligence on key issues will be started later this month and the aim is to build a comprehensive database of good practice.
Website
Evidence for transforming community services (10th July 2009)The Health Services Management Centre (HSMC) at the University of Birmingham analysed over 18,000 studies to examine the evidence for a range of community services. This independent research was commissioned by the Department of Health to underpin the guidance within the 6 transformational guides and for information purposes all the studies are available on the links below.
Report
Safeguarding adults: report on the consultation on the review of No Secrets (17th July 2009)This is the report on the consultation on the review of No Secrets. The consultation was large and we are delighted that some 12,000 people participated. The report analyses the responses and the Government response will be published when this has all been carefully considered.
Response Response to the consultation on the Fairer Contributions Guidance (14th July 2009)The consultation set out proposals for introducing a model for councils to calculate what contribution, if any, an individual receiving non-residential social care funding should make to their personal budget. It included draft guidance for councils. This document gives a summary and analysis of the responses to the consultation.
Response
Proposed work programme and scales of fees 2010/11 and indicative fee proposals for 2011/12 and 2012/13 (6th July 2009)The Audit Commission is consulting on its proposed scale of fees for 2010/11 and the indicative fees for 2011/12 and 2012/13.
The proposals recognise the financial pressures that public bodies are facing in the current economic climate, so the Commission has decided to double the previously announced subsidy to local government bodies to cover the one-off element of the cost of transition to new International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
The Commission has brought forward the annual consultation on fees with the aim of publishing the final fee scales by the end of October. This is to help audited bodies take account of our proposals when they set their budgets and medium-term financial planning.
Closing date for comments is 4th September 2009.
Consultation Essence of care: a consultation on the reviewed original benchmarks (20th July 2009)Essence of Care is a versatile and structured system of benchmarks widely used in various health settings. The Department of Health (DH) has taken the opportunity with the launch of the new benchmark on pain to review all of the material to ensure the system continues to reflect best practice. The revision followed the same format as that for devising the benchmarks themselves, via focus groups whose membership comprised people receiving care, carers and staff. The DH are now ready to consult more widely. Closing date for comments is 2nd October 2009.
Consultation Essence of care: a consultation on a new benchmark on pain (20th July 2009)Essence of Care is a versatile and structured system of benchmarks widely used in various health settings. Essence of Care benchmarks are developed by stakeholders from focus groups that will use them. A focus group made up of carers, patients and professionals have met to review the benchmarks and this has led to a proposed new benchmark for pain management. The revision followed the same format as that for devising the benchmarks themselves, via focus groups whose membership comprised people receiving care, carers and staff. Closing date for comments is 2nd October 2009.
Consultation Consultation on the revision of the Fair Access to Care Services guidance to support councils to determine eligibility for social care services (14th July 2009)This paper is a consultation carried out by the Department of Health on the revision of the statutory guidance providing local authorities with a framework to determine individual eligibility for social care – the “Fair Access to Care Services” guidance. The draft revised guidance now put to consultation aims to reset the eligibility criteria framework within the policy context of personalisation and prevention set out in the cross-sector agreement for the transformation of adult social care - Putting People First. In light of the independent review undertaken by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) on the application of eligibility criteria, the draft revised guidance also aims to support councils to implement eligibility criteria in a way that is as fair, consistent and transparent as possible, taking into account the needs of the wider community as well as individual need for support.
Consultation
Shaping the future of care together (14th July 2009)
Shaping the Future of Care Together sets out a vision for a new care and support system. The Green Paper highlights the challenges faced by the current care system and the need for radical reform, to develop a National care service that is fair, simple and affordable for everyone.
Within the Green Paper, it sets out a number of consultation questions and asks everyone to provide their views about how they think Government can make this vision a reality and develop a care and support system fit for the 21st century. Closing date for comments is 13th November 2009.
Consultation Health protection regulations: a consultation (8th July 2009)A consultation on draft health protection regulations to be made under the amended Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, to continue the process of modernising health protection legislation in England. The regulations cover requirements for notification of disease caused by infection or contamination by chemicals or radiation, to allow prompt investigation and response; evidential requirements and safeguards for people who might be subject to a JP order under the amended Act; and updated local authority powers to protect public health.
Closing date for comments is 30th September 2009.
Consultation Three digit number to access non-emergency health care (9th July 2009)Following a major review of NHS services in 2007/8, the NHS Next Stage Review Final Report, High Quality Care For All, committed the Department of Health (DH) to explore the benefits of introducing a new, memorable, three-digit telephone number to help people find the right local service to meet their non-emergency but urgent, unplanned care needs.
The DH asked the Office of Communications (Ofcom) to undertake a public consultation exercise on the introduction of a 3DN to support access to non-emergency health care in January 2009. Ofcom is responsible for allocating three digit numbers in the UK and ensuring this limited resource is put to best use. Ofcom confirmed that it would undertake a consultation, which has now been published. Closing date for comments is 20th August 2009.
Consultation Consultations begin on guidance to doctors on research and making and using recordings of patients (8th July 2009)Doctors are being asked for their views on three pieces of draft General Medical Council (GMC) guidance.
- Good practice in research
- Consent to research and
- Making and using visual and audio recordings of patients
will update GMCs existing publications:
- Research: the role and responsibility of doctors (2002) and
- Making and using visual and audio recordings of patients (2002)
Closing date for comments is 25th September 2009.
Good practice in research and Consent to research consultation
Making and using visual and audio recordings of patients consultation
Delivering Better Oral Health An evidence-based toolkit for prevention - second edition (13th July 2009)The first edition of Delivering Better Oral Health: An evidence-based toolkit for prevention was published in September 2007.
The fundamental messages of the first edition have not been changed, but there have been updates to the lists of toothpaste fluoride content and sugar-free medicines. There are also amendments to the dietary and alcohol sections. The second edition will be sent to all general dental practitioners, and we hope that dentists will share it with their teams in order to improve delivery of prevention within the dental practice
Document
Safeguarding Disabled Children: Practice guidance (9th July 2009)This practice guidance makes clear that disabled children have exactly the same human rights to be safe from abuse and neglect, to be protected from harm and achieve the Every Child Matters outcomes as non-disabled children. Disabled children do, however, require additional action.
Guidance
Response to Independent Review of evidence regarding selection of techniques for the suppression of Legionella in water supplies of hospitals and other healthcare premises (16th July 2009)The Department of Health commissioned an Independent review of evidence in relation to legionella and other water borne infections in January 2009.
Report
Improving access, responding to patients: a how to guide for GP practices (June 2009)Practice Managers are leading advocates of new ways of working and are at the front line of establishing truly patient-focused services.
'Improving access, responding to patients: a how to guide for GP practices' celebrates some of these examples. It brings together good practice from around the country along with the benefits and drawbacks of different systems, services and approaches, with top tips and step-by-step guides to support practices respond to the ever growing needs and expectations of their patients.
Guide
Third Sector Investment Programme: Innovation Excellence and Service Development Fund 2010-11 - information pack for third sector organisations (20th July 2009)This document provides third sector organisations with information about the Third Sector Investment Programme’s Innovation Excellence and Service Development Fund.
Guidance
Services for people with rheumatoid arthritis (15th July 2009)Too many people with rheumatoid arthritis are not being diagnosed or treated quickly enough, and some services for people with the disease are not coordinated enough, according to a report published today by the National Audit Office. Delay in treatment is detrimental to patients’ health, their quality of life and, with three quarters of people of working age when diagnosed, the economy. The estimated cost to the economy of sick leave and work-related disability for people with rheumatoid arthritis is £1.8 billion a year.
Report Improving Eye Health Services (17th July 2009)This document is part of the ongoing Primary Care and Community Strategy to support the NHS in relation to World Class Commissioning and focuses on eye health services. It provides practical advice on how PCTs can: assess their current performance; identify their vision for the future and commission services that meet the needs of their local communities.
Guidance
Happiness Matters: Homeless people's views about breaking the link between homelessness and mental ill health (July 2009)Despite the many improvements to mental health services in the past decades, St Mungo's believes that still, even now, homeless people with mental health problems do not get the services they need. This report looks at access and barriers to services and support for mental health, the impact of drink and drugs, and emotional wellbeing.
Report
Executive Summary
Fairer contributions guidance: calculating an individual's contribution to their personal budget (14 July 2009)This guidance supplements the current fairer charging guidance. This new guidance provides councils with a model for calculating a person's contribution to their personal budget. Councils providing personal budgets should implement this section 7 guidance by March 2010.
Guidance Climate change and health: making the links (20th July 2009)The ancient Greeks and the Victorians both made the link between the environment and disease. In the 21st century, climate change poses the biggest threat to public health. Chief Executive of the UK Public Health Association, Angela Mawle, argues that local authorities are key to creating the right environment for the nation’s health.
Article
A Future Vision for Mental Health (7th July 2009)This report sets out a new vision for the future of mental health and well-being in England. Based on four principles, it outlines the priorities the Future Vision Coalition believe should underpin mental health policy for the next decade.
Report The Bradley report and the Government's response (Briefing 38) (21st July 2009)The Bradley Report made 82 recommendations to improve the treatment of people with mental health problems and people with learning disabilities in the criminal justice system. The Government's response accepted almost all of the recommendations in full or in principle.
This briefing paper examines these reports in terms of the mental health of offenders. It is our assessment of and response to their recommendations.
Briefing Paper Moving on Up (June 2009) ‘Moving on up’ reveals the barriers that are preventing patients with mild or moderate depression from accessing exercise on prescription. They include funding constraints within local government and primary care trusts, and that many GPs simply aren’t aware that exercise schemes are available in their area.
Report
Extending professional and occupational regulation: the report of the Working Group on Extending Professional Regulation (16th July 2009)This is the final report of the Extending Professional Regulation Working Group. The Working Group arose from a recommendation in the White Paper Trust, Assurance, Safety. The Report makes recommendation to Government as to how decision making on extending regulation could be taken forward. Any recommendations which are progressed and which involve a change of policy would require public consultation, equality and economic impact assessment, and be subject to the costs being affordable within available resources.
Report How cold will it be? Prospects for NHS funding: 2011-2017 (20th July 2009)NHS spending in England may have more than doubled in real terms since 1999/2000, but the prospects for future funding now look bleak. Although there is consensus that the NHS faces a tough financial future, there is no agreement about just how cold the financial climate will be. Starting with a look at historical funding for the NHS, The King’s Fund and the Institute for Fiscal Studies set out three plausible future funding scenarios and their consequences. The paper concludes with an assessment of each scenario and the options for funding up to 2017.
Paper From Feast to Famine. Reforming the NHS for an age of austerity (July 2009)Over the past two years the Social Market Foundation (SMF) Health project has examined the future of the NHS in the coming decade, in the face of demographic, technological and now economic change. in the context of a crisis in public finances the final report looks again at the sustainability of tax funding, and asks how an equitable health system can be safeguarded in the years ahead. The report examines whether new measures should be taken to manage demand for health services to relieve pressure on the NHS.
Report
Eczema (chronic) - alitretinoin: final appraisal determination (16th July 2009)After considering the feedback from consultation, the Appraisal Committee has prepared a Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) on alitretinoin for the treatment of chronic eczema of the hand, refractory to steroids and submitted it to the Institute.
The FAD has been sent to the formal consultees for this appraisal who have 15 working days to consider whether they wish to appeal against it. Subject to any appeal by consultees, the FAD may be used as the basis for the Institute's guidance on the use of the appraised technology in the NHS in England and Wales.
The appraisal will close on 30th July 2009.
FAD Guidance on when to suspect child maltreatment. Clinical Guidelines CG89 (22nd July 2009)NICE has issued guidance to help healthcare professionals to identify children who may have been maltreated. The guidance provides a summary of alerting features that should prompt a healthcare professional to consider, suspect or exclude child maltreatment. Child maltreatment includes neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and fabricated or induced illness.
GuidanceRituximab for first line chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Technology Appraisal TA174 (22nd July 2009)NICE has published guidance on the use of rituximab for the first line treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. The guidance recommends that rituximab should be considered as a possible first treatment for people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia who are able to take fludarabine in combination with cyclophosphamide.
GuidanceSinus tarsi implant insertion for mobile flatfoot. Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG305 (22nd July 2009)Mobile flatfoot is a condition in which the foot becomes flattened when standing. It can occur in children, where it may self-correct, and in adults. It usually results from tendon damage. In most people this is asymptomatic, but in some it may cause pain or other symptoms. This procedure involves surgery to insert an implant just above the heel bone, with the aim of correcting the condition and improving symptoms.
GuidanceProsthetic lumbar intervertebral disc replacement. Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG306 (22nd July 2009)Artificial intervertebral discs have been developed to act as a functional prosthetic replacement unit for intervertebral units in much the same way as prostheses have been developed for a variety of joints such as the hip or knee. The design of most prosthetic discs is similar, with two metallic endplates separated by a more pliable inner core designed to emulate the biomechanical properties of the nucleus pulposus. The implantation of the prosthetic discs involves a small incision below the umbilicus. The diseased disc is partially or fully excised (depending on the prosthesis used). The vertebral endplates and surrounding spinal ligaments are preserved and help maintain implant stability. Single discs can be replaced, or alternatively, several levels can be replaced during the same surgery.
The standard intervention for patients with these indications would be discectomy and spinal fusion.
GuidanceLung cancer (non-small-cell, second line) - gefitinib (terminated appraisal. Technology Appraisal TA175 (22nd July 2009)NICE is unable to recommend the use in the NHS of gefitinib for the second-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer because no evidence submission was received from the manufacturer or sponsor of the technology.
Guidance
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for the treatment of hepatitis B. Technology Appraisal TA173 (22nd July 2009)The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has today (22 July) published final guidance recommending the use of tenofovir disoproxil for the treatment of people with chronic HBeAg-positive or HBeAg-negative hepatitis B in whom antiviral treatment is indicated.
This guidance does not apply to people with chronic hepatitis B who also have hepatitis C, hepatitis D or HIV.
GuidanceImage-guided radiofrequency excision biopsy of breast lesions. Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG308 (22nd July 2009)Breast lumps may need to be sampled to test for cancer. This minimally invasive procedure involves a small incision and insertion of a probe which uses radiofrequency energy to cut through the breast internally, aiming to remove the lump along with a small area of surrounding tissue to test for cancer.
GuidanceIntramuscular diaphragm stimulation for ventilator dependent chronic respiratory failure due to neurological disease. Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG307 (22nd July 2009)Some patients with spinal cord injuries cannot breathe on their own and require a mechanical ventilator to assist them. Intramuscular diaphragm stimulation involves keyhole abdominal surgery (laparoscopy) to implant electrodes into the breathing muscle (diaphragm) close to its main nerve supply. Wires are connected through the skin to a battery-operated electrical stimulation system which causes the diaphragm to contract as it does in normal breathing. The aim of the procedure is to allow patients to breathe without mechanical assistance and to improve their quality of life.
Guidance
North West Height and Weight Measurement 2008 (7th July 2009)This analysis of child overweight and obesity data has been produced by the North West Public Health Observatory on behalf of PCTs in the region. Last years report can be seen here.
Analysis
Swine flu: UK planning assumptions (16th July 2009)This document contains revised planning assumptions in relation to the current A(H1N1) Swine Flu pandemic. The assumptions are intended to assist local planning across all public and private sector organisations.
Planning assumptions are for both pan-UK and local areas, to take account of the potential variation in epidemic profile from one local area to another.
Guidance Pandemic flu: ensuring the NHS is ready (9th July 2009)Following the 2 July decision to move from containment to treatment of swine flu, all eyes are on the NHS as it takes the lead on national systems to deal with high numbers of cases.
The situation is changing daily but a new NHS Confederation briefing, Pandemic flu: ensuring the NHS is ready, looks at the planning that’s already taken place and sets out what boards need to be addressing now ahead of a potential further upsurge in flu cases in autumn 2009.
Briefing Swine flu: early epidemiology (13th July 2009)In the first months of its outbreak in the UK, H1N1 mostly affected young people, and was most commonly spread through contact at school, research by the HPA has shown.
These findings are based on an analysis of the first 252 cases of swine flu diagnosed in the UK after news of the virus broke.
Information
Works and Pensions Committee - Workplace health and safety: follow-up report - Fourth Report of Session 2008-09 (12th July 2009)Vol. I:
Vol. II:
Living with poverty: a review of the literature on children's and families' experience of poverty (20th July 2009)This report presents the findings from an extensive review of recent research examining the views and experiences of low-income children and parents, covering topics such as housing, schools, neighbourhoods, public services and family life. The author draws on evidence from in-depth interviews, focus groups, group work, case studies, participatory workshops and action research to describe the lived experience of contemporary poverty amongst children and parents in the UK.
Report
Practical predictive modelling (15th July 2009)These are the presentations from the Cheshire and Merseyside Public Health Network (ChaMPs) event that was held on 15th July 2009 at Stobart Stadium, Widnes.
Presentations
Research and development work relating to assistive technology 2008-09 (9th July 2009)Presented to Parliament pursuant to section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970
The report covers research and development work carried out by or on behalf of any government department in relation to equipment that might increase the range and independence of older and disabled people.
Report Audience Analysis Toolkit (July 2009)The Audience Analysis Toolkit for public sector bodies has been developed for the Strategic Content Alliance. The toolkit is aimed at practitioners and policy makers in public sector organisations and has a focus on researching users and non-users of digital resources and services in particular, although most of the approaches and methods could apply when researching users of other types of service.Toolkit
Moving forward: progress and priorities - working together for high quality sexual health: Government response to the Independent Advisory Group's review of the Sexual Health and HIV Strategy (21st July 2009)The Government published its response to the Independent Advisory Group’s review of the 2001 Sexual Health and HIV Strategy on 21 July 2009. The response outlines the progress made in improving sexual health since 2001 and responds to each of the national level recommendations put forward by the IAG.
Response
Shaping the future of care together (14th July 2009)Shaping the Future of Care Together sets out a vision for a new care and support system. The Green Paper highlights the challenges faced by the current system and the need for radical reform, to develop a National Care Service that is fair, simple and affordable for everyone.
Within the Green Paper, it sets out a number of consultation questions and asks everyone to provide their views about how they think Government can make this vision a reality and develop a care and support system fit for the 21st century.
The consultation will run from 14 July 2009 to 13 November 2009.
Publication
Understanding the Risks of Social Exclusion Across the Life Course (17th July 2009)This document reports the results of four studies that map the risk of social exclusion among people and families at key life stages.
Document
Strategic Health Authorities and GP Registrar (Amendment) Directions 2009 (14th July 2009)Directions on the payment of allowances to GP trainers.
Directions
Sustainable Development Action Plan 2009-11 (9th July 2009)Following publication of the Department’s sustainable development strategy (Taking the long term view: the Department of Health’s strategy for delivering sustainable development 2008–2011) this action plan sets out how we will meet the commitments and priorities within the nine opportunities we have to promote sustainable development from within the Department.
Guidance
Train to Gain: Developing the skills of the workforce (21st July 2009)At a cost of £1.47 billion by March 2009, Train to Gain had supported employer-focused training for over one million learners, and had developed a skills brokerage service with which a majority of employers was satisfied. But while Train to Gain has achieved undoubted benefits for employers, the National Audit Office (NAO) has concluded that over its full lifetime the programme has not provided good value for money.
Report
