ABOUT THIS BLOG

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

Understanding young people's alcohol-related social norms in schools in Sefton: final report (9th October 2009)
The social norms campaign was delivered by NHS Sefton in schools in Sefton during June and early July 2009. As part of this intervention a poster campaign was run with the posters being based on some of the findings provided in the interim report. This is the final report of the campaign.
Report

ANNUAL REPORT

Working together to save lives: the Organ Donation Taskforce Implementation Programme's annual report, 2008/09 (8th October 2009)
The first annual report of the Organ Donation Taskforce Implementation Programme highlights the progress that has been made in the first year of the Implementation Programme, particularly the changes in structures and arrangements in the NHS with the move to a centrally managed, and enlarged, network of Donor Transplant Coordinators and the appointment of Clinical Leads for Organ Donation within hospital trusts.
Report

National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) Annual Report 2008-09 (October 2009)
This is the annual report of the NTA.
Report

BULLETINS/NEWSLETTERS

CMO Update 49 (7th October 2009)

Environmental Health Quarterly Bulletin: Issue 14, August 2009 (28th September 2009)

Sexual Health Quarterly Bulletin September 2009 edition (28th September 2009)

NWPHO Health E-News September 2009 (29th September 2009)

Health Protection Report Vol. 3 No. 39 (2nd October 2009)

Health Protection Report Vol. 3 No. 40 (9th October 2009)

The month: issue 25, September 2009 (29th September 2009)

CMO Update Archive 2008 (6th October 2009)

CDO Update, October 2009 (1st October 2009)

Children, Families and Maternity e-bulletin, October 2009 Edition 55 (October 2009)

CANCER

Manual for Cancer Services 2008: Complementary Measures (9th October 2009)
Following a three month consultation period, this is the final version of the complementary measures for inclusion in the Manual for Cancer Services. The measures can also be found on the CQUINS website.
Guidance

CARE QUALITY COMMISSION

Better monitoring of out-of hours GP services (2nd October 2009)
The NHS may fail to spot concerns about patient safety unless it improves its monitoring of out-of-hours GP services. These are the early observations from the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) enquiry into out-of-hours provider Take Care Now.

Cynthia Bower, CQC's chief executive, says:

"Although we are still in the early stages of our enquiries, we believe this may point towards a national problem. We are therefore encouraging PCTs across the country to scrutinize in more detail the out-of-hours services they commission.
Information

Out of hours (OOH) primary care services: PCTs' contract and performance management arrangements - letter from National Director for Primary Care in relation to the above

Guidance: Sharing Information gained during regulatory activity (13th October 2009)
This guidance, from the Care Quality Commission, explains how they share information about service providers with commissioners of care e.g. councils and primary care trusts.
Guidance

CARE/CARERS

Primary Care Trusts and The Carers Strategy (12th October 2009)
New research, carried out by two of the UK’s leading carers’ charities The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care, has uncovered approximately £40m of the £50m allocated by the government for carers support is failing to reach carers.

80% of new monies given by government to Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in 2009/10 have not been used to increase support for carers as was intended.
Survey and Report

CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE

Partner exploitation and violence in teenage intimate relationships (September 2009)
This is the first study in Great Britain to provide a detailed picture of the incidence and impact of teenage partner violence.
Research from the US has highlighted the high level of violence in young people’s intimate relationships. However, how these findings apply to the UK context has been unknown.

This research, funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, sought to bridge this gap in understanding.
Executive Summary

COMMISSIONING

The Opportunity Locator version 2
This data tool, from the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, supports the commissioning priorities of local health communities. The purpose of it is to stimulate ideas on where commissioners should focus their attention in re-designing and shifting services away from the traditional setting of the hospital and out towards community based care.
Tool

Improving quality in primary care (7th October 2009)
This is a practical guide to support PCTs as commissioners of primary care, in working with local clinicians and other stakeholders - including patients - to promote continuous quality and productivity improvement in primary care services.
Guide

Commissioning local breastfeeding support services (6th October 2009)
This commissioning guidance aims to assist commissioners and primary care trusts (PCTs) in providing coherent services that will promote breastfeeding and reduce inequalities, as set out in Healthy Lives, Brighter Futures: the strategy for children and young people’s health (Department for Children, Schools and Families and Department of Health, 2009, para 3.43), and to work with local Children’s Trust partners in delivering Public Service Agreement (PSA) 12.
Guidance

Integrated care pilots: an introductory guide (30th September 2009)
This introductory guide to the national programme of integrated care pilots and evaluation provides a summary of the work each pilot will be doing as they implement and test their models of integrated care.
Guide

Behaviour change training delivered across Cheshire and Merseyside. A report mapping programmes and exploring processes (Published June 2009 new to website 6th October 2009)
This report was commissioned by Cheshire and Merseyside Public Health Network (ChaMPs). It details a mapping exercise of behaviour change training programmes and an exploration of the processes involved in commissioning and delivering these programmes across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Report

Top tips for commissioners and providers of behaviour change training programmes (6th October 2009)
This ‘top tips’ document was commissioned by Cheshire and Merseyside Public Health Network (ChaMPs) to support the commissioning and delivery of effective behaviour change training programmes across Cheshire and Merseyside. The document was informed by a mapping exercise of behaviour change training programmes being delivered across Cheshire and Merseyside and an exploration of the processes involved in commissioning and delivering them. It includes, ‘top tips’ for commissioners and providers of behaviour change training programmes; a best practice checklist; and a case study of a strategic and coordinated approach to behaviour change training.
Document

Tackling demand together: a toolkit for improving urgent and emergency care pathways by understanding increases in 999 demand (13th October 2009)
This toolkit has been produced by a group of ambulance providers and primary care trust commissioners together with the Department of Health to offer practical analysis, worksheets and tools to help all commissioners and providers improve urgent and emergency care services through better understanding of the factors affecting significant rises in 999 demand.
Toolkit

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Response to consultation on the de-authorisation of NHS foundation trusts (8th October 2009)
This is the Department of Health's response to consultation on the de-authorisation of NHS foundation trusts. It summarises the responses received, and outlines the Government's intention to take action as part of the Health Bill currently before Parliament.
Consultation Response

CONSULTATIONS

Draft psychological support measures (9th October 2009)
A draft version of the Psychological Support measures for the Manual of Cancer Services is being issued for a three month consultation. A copy of the draft measures can be found on the Cancer Section of the Department of Health's website www.dh.gov.uk, or the CQUINS website www.cquins.nhs.uk.

Closing date for comments is 8th January 2010.
Consultation

The Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act 1990: disclosure of identifying information for research: regulations for consultation (8th October 2009)
The regulations establish a procedure for authorising the disclosure of identifying information held by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, for research purposes, where it is not practicable to obtain consent to the disclosure from the persons to whom the information relates.

This is the second consultation exercise. Closing date for comments is 2nd December 2009.
Consultation

Implementing the Health Act 2006: review of fees for applications to provide pharmaceutical services in England: consultation document (12th October 2009)
The National Health Services Pharmaceutical Services (Fees for Applications) Directions 2008 (as amended in April 2008) came into force on 21 April 2008 and specify the types of application for which a fee will be payable and the levels of such fees. The Government undertook during the passage of the Health Bill 2006 to consider a general review of this measure 18 months after it was introduced.

The Department of Health would welcome comments and views on the impact of charging on the NHS, pharmacy and appliance contractors and applicants and whether or not the current fees represent a fair contribution to NHS costs.

Closing date for comments is 12th January 2010.
Consultation

Care Quality Commission - Our Strategy for 2010-2015 (1st October 2009)
From April 2010, the Care Quality Commissions work will revolve around their new strategic priorities. Before they finalise their strategic plan, they are seeking views on how they should their powers and resources to achieve the best possible care for people across England.
Closing date for comments is 24th December 2009.
Consultation

Consultation on proposed tobacco control regulations in England (under the Health Bill 2009) (7th October 2009)
Protecting children from the health harms of smoking is a public health priority for the Government. The Health Bill 2009, currently before Parliament, includes proposals on two areas to safeguard children - provisions to prohibit the display of tobacco products and regulation-making powers to limit access to tobacco vending machines.

This consultation aims to inform parliamentary debate and gives an important opportunity for stakeholders to consider the practical implications of the details that are set out in the proposed regulations. Views are also invited on the two Partial Impact Assessments, which accompany the proposed regulations.

Closing date for comments is 30th December 2009.
Consultation

DIABETES

International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines 2009 (September 2009)
The 2009 ISPAD Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines have now been published as a compendium in a Supplement to Pediatric Diabetes. The guidelines, which have been updated and are available as individual documents include:

• Definition, epidemiology, diagnosis and classification
• Monogenic diabetes
• Management of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes
• Nutritional management
• Psychological issues

Guidelines

DIRECTIONS

Alternative Provider Medical Services Directions 2009 (12th October 2009)
These Directions, which may be cited as the Alternative Provider Medical Services Directions 2009, are given to Primary Care Trusts in England and shall come into force on 17th September 2009.
Directions

DOCTORS

Women doctors: making a difference - report of the Chair of the National Working Group on Women in Medicine (13th October 2009)
In a chapter of his 2006 Annual Report, the Chief Medical Officer considered the implications of the recent increase in the number of women entering medical school, a figure that has risen from 492 in 1960/61 to 4,583 in 2008/09. Among other effects, this has created demand for improved flexibility of working hours, meant changes to career expectations and led to new challenges for workforce planning.

In August 2008, the Chief Medical Officer asked Baroness Ruth Deech to chair a National Working Group on Women in Medicine to consider the opportunities available to women working in the medical profession.

Their report considers the current situation, reviews existing work and recommends a programme of action to improve opportunities for women in medicine.
Report

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Children and families experiencing domestic violence: police and children's social services' responses (September 2009)
In England and Wales, the Adoption and Children Act 2002 amended the definition of significant harm provided by the Children Act 1989, adding a new category of “impairment suffered from seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another”. Since domestic violence and children’s exposure to it represent a widespread social problem, this amendment has acted to draw a potentially large group of families within the remit of children’s social services. The growing mountain of police notifications to children’s social services of domestic violence incidents where children are involved and the pressures that this has created have been noted by a range of commentators in the UK, North America and Australia.

The notification system has emerged against what is acknowledged to be a background of fragmented services for children and families experiencing domestic violence, and represents an attempt to improve communication and coordination between universal and highly targeted services. This research, from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, examined both the notification process itself and the subsequent service pathways followed by families brought to the attention of children’s social services in
this way. It also explored which other agencies contributed to services for families experiencing domestic violence and captured young people’s, survivors’ and perpetrators’ views of services.
Executive summary

EDUCATION/SCHOOLS

Children with Special Educational Needs 2009: an analysis (8th October 2009)
The Special Educational Needs (SEN) Information Act (2008) required the Secretary of State to publish information about children in England with special educational needs to help improve the well-being of these children.

This new annual statistical publication was developed to meet the requirements of the Act. This publication includes a wealth of new information on pupils with SEN alongside further interpretation of existing findings.
Publication

FINANCE

Auditors' Local Evaluation and Use of Resources 2008/09 (1st October 2009)

Each year, the Audit Commission assesses how well NHS trusts and primary care trusts manage their resources and deliver value for money. For 2008/09, these assessments have been based on the Auditors' Local Evaluation (ALE) for NHS trusts and Use of Resources (UoR) for primary care trusts. We have published a national report outlining the scores and how they should be viewed in the context of the overall financial performance of the NHS in 2008/09, which is one of a continued improvement in financial stability. NHS foundation trusts are assessed by Monitor.

Auditors make assessments in a number of themes using key lines of enquiry. There are five themes for ALE and three themes for UoR:
ALE

• financial reporting
• financial management
• financial standing
• internal control
• value for money

UoR

• managing finances
• governing the business
• managing resources

Report

FOOD SAFETY

Mission: Possible! National Pilot Project Evaluation Report (12th October 2009)
The Food Standards Agency has published an evaluation report of FSA Mission: Possible!, a UK-wide pilot scheme aimed at teaching food hygiene messages to children aged 8 to 10 (key stage 2).

The report concludes that the pilot was a great success. The scheme's secret agent concept captured pupils' imaginations and allowed them to develop a range of skills that could be applied to the wider curriculum, such as carrying out scientific investigation. FSA Mission: Possible! has proved to be a valuable resource, which is popular with children, their parents and teachers, and local authorities.
Report

GUIDANCE/GUIDELINES

Collection Point Administration System (CPAS) user guidance (12th October 2009)
These training manuals are to provide guidance to users of the Collection Point Administration System (CPAS) for antivirals.
Guidance

INDEPENDENT SECTOR TREATMENT CENTRES

Independent Sector Treatment Centres (1st October 2009)
Independent sector treatment centres (ISTCs) provide services to NHS patients but are owned and run by organisations outside the NHS. This briefing paper explains why ISTCs were introduced, and how they are funded, staffed and regulated. It assesses their impact so far, including the quality of their services and whether they provide good value for money. Finally, it examines what their future may be now that the contracts ISTC providers hold with the Department of Health are beginning to expire.
Briefing

LEARNING DISABILITIES

Supporting Learning Disability Partnership Boards to implement the National Carers Strategy (2nd October 2009)
This booklet offers guidance to Learning Disability Partnership Boards to help them ensure carers of people with learning disabilities, and carers with learning disabilities are:

• supported in their own right, and
• involved in local service developments which affect their lives, and the lives of the people they care for.

Booklet

MENTAL HEALTH

Mental health fact sheet: patient safety (8th October 2009)
Seven questions every board member should ask about patient safety in organisations providing mental health services.
Fact Sheet

Dementia: ethical issues (1st October 2009)
This report presents an ethical framework to help those who face dilemmas in connection with the everyday care of someone with dementia. The framework forms the basis for a number of recommendations to policy makers in the following areas:

• promoting autonomy and well-being through an ethical approach to dementia care
• including people with dementia in society
• making decisions about the care and treatment of people with dementia
• dealing with day-to-day ethical dilemmas in care
• recognising the needs of carers
• research funding and participation

Report

The Mental Capacity Act: fact sheet for social scientists (30th September 2009)
The Department has today published a fact sheet to assist social scientists meet the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act when carrying out social science research that includes people who lack capacity.
Fact Sheet

Guide to consent to treatment and admission for under 16s and 16 and 17 year olds (13th October 2009)
The law on consent for 16 and 17 year olds changed in January 2008. The revised Code of Practice also detailed guidance on consent for under 16 year olds. The issues regarding consent for treatment and admission are complex and are extensively explored in the The Legal Aspect of the Care and Treatment of Young People with Mental Disorder: A Guide for Professionals which is available to download or in hard copy.
These flowcharts have been designed for adult and CAMHS wards, and should be viewed in conjunction with the guide.
Documents

NHS

'Licensing Resource Pack' (8th October 2009)
The General Medical Council (GMC) is today distributing an essential information pack for organisations that employ doctors. The 'licensing resource pack' aims to help employers prepare for the introduction of the licence to practise, which is the first step towards the introduction of revalidation; the biggest change to medical reguation in 150 years.
Resource Pack

NICE

Rheumatoid arthritis - tocilizumab: appraisal consultation (1st October 2009)
The Department of Health asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to produce guidance on using tocilizumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the NHS in England and Wales. The Appraisal Committee considered the evidence submitted by the manufacturer and the views of non-manufacturer consultees and commentators, and clinical specialist and patient experts.

This document has been prepared for consultation with the consultees. It summarises the evidence and views that have been considered, and sets out the draft recommendations made by the Committee.

Closing date for comments is 22nd October 2009.
Consultation

Constipation in children: guideline consultation (1st October 2009)
A clinical practice guideline on Constipation in children is being developed for use in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Registered stakeholders for this guideline are invited to comment on the provisional recommendations via the NICE website.

Closing date for comments is 25th November 2009.
Consultation

Identification and care pathways for common mental health disorders: scope consultation (2nd October 2009)
NICE have been asked to develop a clinical practice guideline on Common mental health disorders: identification, assessment and care pathways for common mental health disorders for use in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The draft scope defines what aspects of care the guideline will cover and to whom it will apply. Registered stakeholders for the Common mental health disorders: identification and care pathways guideline are invited to submit comments on the scope and may suggest clinical questions that could be answered in the guideline.

Closing date for comments is 30th October 2009.
Consultation

Consultation on NICE response to Kennedy Report (October 2009)
NICE is now inviting comments on its response to Professor Sir Ian Kennedy’s report Appraising the Value of Innovation.

Closing date for comments is 13th January 2010.
Consultation

Alcohol-use disorders (prevention): consultation on the draft guidance (13th October 2009)
NICE is developing public health programme guidance (Alcohol-use disorders: preventing the development of hazardous and harmful drinking).

All registered stakeholders for the above public health programme guidance are invited to comment on the draft guidance.

Closing date for comments is 10th November 2009.
Consultation

Latest Implementation Tools (14th October 2009)
Tools to aid implementation of latest NICE guidance.

CG89 When to suspect child maltreatment: Audit Support

TA179 Gastrointestinal stromal tumours - sunitinib: Costing Template and Audit Support

TA181 Lung Cancer (non-small cell, first line treatment) - pemetrexed: Costing Template and Audit Support

TA180 Psoriasis - ustekinumab: Costing Statement and Audit Support

PH20 Social and emotional wellbeing in secondary education: Costing Statement and Slide Set

PH21 Reducing the differences in the uptake of immunisations: Costing Statement

IPG316 Extracorporeal albumin dialysis for acute liver failure: Audit Support

NURSING

Work-related stress. A good practice guide for RCN representatives (8th October 2009)
Work related stress has overtaken musculoskeletal disorders as the main cause of absence and ill health in the health sector. Nursing is often seen as one of the most stressful occupations, therefore work-related stress is a major concern for RCN representatives. This guidance takes RCN representatives through the HSE's managament standards and the process of conducting a stress risk assessment. The guidance details how RCN safety representatives can get involved in each stage of the risk assessment process, with a number of case studies highlighting how representatives have implemented the HSE standards in their own workplaces. The standards are a useful tool and and can help in addressing issues such as workload, work patterns and organisational change. This publication may also be useful for stewards and learning representatives when supporting RCN members who are returning to work following a stress related illness or when negotiating learning and development opportunities for members.
Guide

Assessing, managing and monitoring biologic therapies for inflammatory arthritis (12th October 2009)
The role of biologic therapies in the treatment and management of patients with inflammatory joint disease is an evolving area that has significant implications for all practitioners. This guidance also contains a practitioners' workbook to aid a standardised assessment and management process, and part two of the publication covers specific issues for the care of children and young people. It has its own reference section and appendices that refer specifically to paediatric care.
Guidance

Clinical nurse specialists: stoma care (2nd October 2009)
The Royal College of Nursing has published new guidance which reviews the role of the stoma nurse specialist.

The publication covers stoma care education, management, consultancy and research. It also includes a series of case studies and patient stories which highlight the work of stoma nurse specialists.
Guide

OVERSEAS PATIENTS

Changes to reporting procedures of overseas visitors from the EEA (12th October 2009)
This page provides latest information for Overseas Visitor managers on the new arrangements by which NHS Trusts should record and report treatments (including planned treatments) of visitors from the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
Information

Guidance on changes to recording and reporting data about necessary and planned treatment of overseas visitors from the European Economic Area (EEA) (12th October 2009)
Note on changes to be made to the collection and reporting of data about overseas visitors from 12 October 2009, with detailed guidance about the processes, and information about future workshops.
Letter

Provisional Replacement Cards (12th October 2009)
Overseas visitors receiving clinically necessary treatment who fail to provide an EHIC, should be asked to obtain a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) from the appropriate liaison body in the competent member state. A PRC provides the same access to free treatment as if it was an EHIC. PRC details should also be recorded and reported for a claim to be made. A list of providers of PRCs is available on the attachment below.
Information

Tutorial guidance on the web portal (12th October 2009)
Overseas Visitor managers should use the Overseas Visitor Treatment (OVT) portal to report treatments of visitors (including planned treatment) from the EEA and Switzerland.
Tutorial

European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) Posters (12th October 2009)
NHS Overseas Visitor managers can now download the attached posters for their use.
Posters

PANDEMIC INFLUENZA

Swine flu clinical package (6th October 2009)
The swine flu clinical package is a set of tools for use by frontline healthcare professionals, in severe and exceptional circumstances, during a pandemic situation.

This revised version has been updated to reflect changes in the guidance on the use of empirical antibiotics and on oseltamivir prescribing in young children. The package has also been revised and redesigned to clarify the circumstances in which it should be used.
Guidance

Pandemic influenza: additional measures to meet workforce supply (2nd October 2009)
This document has been prepared to complement existing guidance provided by the Department of Health and NHS Employers in relation to pandemic influenza planning. It answers the frequently asked questions and, wherever possible, directs readers to more substantive guidance already in existence.
Document

Guidance on sickness certification in response to the swine flu pandemic (1st October 2009)
This document clarifies that the existing arrangements for provision of medical certificates or self-certification have not changed in light of the swine flu pandemic.

The situation is being kept under close review to enable action to be taken quickly, should it be necessary.
Guidance

Pandemic influenza: recommendations on the use of antiviral medicines for pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding and children under the age of one year (29th September 2009)
This document is a supplement to the Department of Health guidance: Pandemic influenza: guidance on preparing maternity services. It reinforces and clarifies the advice in the main guidance, and provides advice for the use of antiviral medicines in women who are breastfeeding. It also gives details of the safety and efficacy of these medicines.
Guidance

The H1N1 swine flu vaccination programme 2009-2010 (1st October 2009)
Letter providing information to assist immunisation leads, pandemic influenza leads and flu co-ordinators in further planning for the swine flu (influenza A (H1N1v) 2009) vaccination programme.
Information

PATIENT AND PUBLIC INFORMATION

Access to healthcare abroad (2nd October 2009)
This leaflet tells you about how you can get healthcare in other countries in the European Economic Area (EEA).

It covers:

• leisure or business trips;
• planned treatment;
• living abroad;
• working abroad;
• studying abroad.

Leaflet

NHS Continuing healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care: public information booklet (30th September 2009)
This leaflet gives a summary of information for the public on NHS continuing healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care, including details of what an individual should do if they think they may be eligible.
Leaflet

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): what it means for your long-term health (1st October 2009)
This patient information leaflet has been published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Information

PATIENT SAFETY

Organisational Patient Safety Incident Reports (7th October 2009)
The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) today publishes Organisational Patient Safety Incident Reports for each NHS trust or local health board across England and Wales.

The Organisational Patient Safety Incident Reports summarise incidents reported by frontline NHS staff that have occurred between October 2008 and March 2009, and reported to the NPSA by 30 June 2009.
News
Reports

Improving Patient Safety: Risk Management for Maternity and Gynaecology (Clinical Governance Advice 2) (9th October 2009)
This is the third edition of this guidance. The original edition, entitled Clinical Risk Management for Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, was published in January 2001 and revised in 2005 under the title Improving Patient Safety: Risk Management for Maternity and Gynaecology.
Guidance

The Government response to the Health Select Committee Report 'Patient Safety' (13th October 2009)
This Command Paper sets out the Government's response to the House of Commons Health Select Committee's Report on Patient Safety.
Report

PRIMARY CARE TRUSTS

The Primary Care Trust Medical Services Directions 2009 (8th October 2009)
These Directions, which may be cited as the Primary Care Trust Medical Services Directions 2009, are given to Primary Care Trusts in England; and came into force on 17th September 2009.
Directions

PUBLIC HEALTH

New website section: Infant Mortality National Support Team (IMNST) (7th October 2009)
The Infant Mortality National Support Team (IMNST) was launched in autumn 2008.

It supports the 43 areas with the highest burden of infant mortality in the routine and manual group, to reduce infant mortality in disadvantaged groups and improve maternal and child health and well-being.

The IMNST provides consultancy-style, tailored support, providing local solutions based on credible expertise and a diagnostic framework.
Website

SMOKING/TOBACCO

Irish tobacco display ban provides encouraging results for the UK (12th October 2009)
Putting tobacco out of sight in shops has boosted support for a display ban in the Republic of Ireland - reveals new research. Ireland put cigarettes out of sight in July this year.

Around 1000 people aged 15 and over are surveyed every month. Support grew from 56 per cent backing the ban in April to 68 per cent by September.
Information

SOCIAL CARE

NHS-funded nursing care practice guide (revised 2009) (30th September 2009)
This practice guide sets out the process for determining the eligibility for NHS-funded Nursing Care under the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care. It has been revised in line with the revised National Framework.
Guidance

Identifying a fairer system for funding adult social care (7th October 2009)
The recent Green Paper shows that the Government has moved on from previous statements on adult social care – but it still lacks important detail, particularly on funding options.

In this Viewpoint, Justin Keen (Professor of Health Politics) and David Bell (Professor of Economics) evaluate the Paper and ask the following questions:

Is the Government taking steps to ensure that arrangements for the care and support of older people are fair?
Is the Green Paper detailed enough to determine whether people on different incomes may 'win' or 'lose' under any new set of proposals?
Viewpoint

STATISTICS

NHS inpatient and outpatient waiting times figures, 31 August 2009 (2nd October 2009)

Statistics on NHS Stop Smoking Services: England, April 2009 to June 2009 (Q1 - Quarterly report) (8th October 2009)

Provisional Monthly Hospital Episode Statistics for Admitted patient care and outpatient data, April 2008 - June 2009 (9th October 2009)

NHS Diagnostics Waiting Times and Activities - month ending August 2009 (7th October 2009)

Drug treatment activity in 2008/09 (8th October 2009)

SUBSTANCE MISUSE

Guidance for the pharmacological management of substance misuse among young people (2nd October 2009)
Until now there has been no formal guidance to help clinicians to manage substance dependence among young people. This has left practitioners concerned that their practice may not accord with the developing evidence base. This guidance document describes good practice on the best ways to manage a clinically complex condition.
Guidance

Guidance for the pharmacological management of substance misuse among young people in secure environments (2nd October 2009)
Until now there has been no formal guidance to help clinicians to manage substance dependence among young people. This has left practitioners concerned that their practice may not accord with the developing evidence base. This guidance document describes good practice on the best ways to manage a clinically complex condition.
Guidance

VULNERABLE PEOPLE

Vetting and Barring Scheme (12th October 2009)
From 12 October 2009 the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (or POVA) scheme has been replaced by the Vetting and Barring Scheme. Referrals should now be made to the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).
Information

WOMEN'S HEALTH

Management of unscheduled bleeding in women using hormonal contraception (9th October 2009)
The guideline was produced by Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Clinical Effectiveness Unit in collaboration with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Guideline

WORLD HEALTH

Disparities in health expenditure across Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries: Why does the United States spend so much more than other countries? (30th September 2009)
The United States spent 16% of its national income (GDP) on health in 2007, which is by far, the highest share in the OECD and more than seven percentage points higher than the average of 8.9% in OECD countries. This presentation was given by Mark Pearson, Head of OECD Health Division, to the U.S Senate Special Committee on Aging.
Document

Health: Improving Policy Coherence for Development (Policy Brief) (7th October 2009)
The cost of treating disease is vastly greater than the cost of controlling or preventing disease. In a time of global recession, the disparity in health outcomes between developed and developing countries will most likely widen. The rapid expansion in trade, foreign investment and international travel mean that infectious diseases can have adverse effects not only on health but also on economic growth and security.
Brief