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.
Children, Young People and Alcohol (16th February 2010)The Youth Alcohol Action Plan (June 08) committed to delivering a social marketing campaign targeting parents and young people to discourage harmful drinking amongst under-18s. This piece of quantitative research was undertaken to inform this work, specifically to: link the usage of, and attitudes towards alcohol; quantify potential audience segments; establish a baseline to measure progress in changing behaviour; and to link data to the DCSF Families-Segmentation.
Publication Safe. Sensible. Social. Alcohol: Test Purchasing - Innovative Practice (15th February 2010)Young people are being increasingly innovative in their methods of obtaining alcohol. These include: Proxy Sales (where an adult will buy alcohol on behalf of a young person) and Off-Licences only selling to young people who are known to them.
This booklet sets out case studies that highlight the innovative practice under way in Local Authorities to tackle issues around test purchasing. It is intended to encourage LAs to be similarly creative in their approach to tackling underage drinking.
Booklet
Safe. Sensible. Social. Young people, alcohol and positive activities (15th February 2010)To include young people, who have been drinking in positive activities raises some challenges, but to simply leave young people outside and at risk of getting into trouble or vulnerable to becoming victims themselves is simply not an option.
This guide aims to give those working with young people practical advice and tools to ensure they – and those they work with – are equipped to deal with this real issue.
Guide
National Quality Board annual report (8th February 2010)The annual report sets out the many ways in which the Board has worked over the last year to support frontline staff to improve quality and to ensure the health system is aligned around quality.
Report
The Cost of Cancer (17th February 2010)The UK currently has a cancer death rate 6% higher than the European average. However if the survival rates were improved in England to a level commensurate with the best in Europe, on a cumulative basis by 2020, 71,500 lives could be saved and total costs could be reduced by £10 billion.
This report, from Policy Exchange, highlights late diagnosis, poor survival rates for older people and those in deprived communities, and relatively poor take up of new treatments and technologies as being the most likely causes behind the UK’s comparatively high mortality rate. Key recommendations include the Department of Health identifying and adopting the best practice in cancer services from high-performing European countries, focusing resources where largest reductions in mortality can be achieved and focusing on cancer prevention strategies.
Report
The state of health care and adult social care. A look at the quality of care in England in 2009 (10th February 2010)In their first annual report to parliament, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) says that people need health and social care services that are more joined-up and person-centred.
Services have steadily improved overall but rising demand and pressure on finances make reform essential. The CQC applaud overall improvements over recent years, but caution that some services were lagging behind the pack and that there were areas of common concern across health and social care, notably keeping people safe and staff training.
Report
Self care reduces costs and improves health - the evidence (February 2010)This report, from the Expert Patients Programme Community Interest Company, reviews existing literature on self-management, as well as conducting their own research through questionnaires, focus groups and in-depth interviews to provide examples of how economically beneficial the Expert Patients Programme (EPP) could be for the NHS.
Report
Clinical Governance and adult safeguarding: an integrated process (11th February 2010)The 'Report on the consultation on the review of No Secrets' (DH 2009), highlighted that adult safeguarding systems were under developed within the NHS. Respondents argued that there is a need to clarify the relationship between adult safeguarding, adverse incident reporting, patient safety, and complaints.
The guidance and flow chart has been developed to encourage organisations to establish local robust arrangements to ensure that adult safeguarding becomes fully integrated into NHS systems.
Guidance
World Class Commissioning - January 2010 (4th February 2010)Monthly progress report on the world class commissioning programme
Update Commissioning for quality - delivering national priorities (15th February 2010)The demands on commissioning are greater than ever before as primary care trusts are relied upon by policymakers and taxpayers to improve health and health services, assure quality and deliver value for money in an NHS faced with more stringent financial circumstances and increasing public scrutiny.
This Briefing highlights some actions commissioners can take to ensure they secure best value for patients and taxpayers when commissioning for two NHS priorities in 2010/11: delivering same-sex accommodation (DSSA) as part of the thrust towards high-quality care; and improving cleanliness and further reducing healthcare associated infections (HCAI).
Briefing Commissioning GP out-of-hours services (10th February 2010)Following the conclusion of the inquest into the death of out-of-hours patient David Gray, a number of recommendations have been made which are of relevance to Primary Care Trusts. This Briefing summarises these and the PCT Network’s recent activity around this issue.
Please note that only PCT Network members can access this document.
Briefing An evaluation of mental health service user involvement in the re-commissioning of day and vocational services (11th February 2010)This is a Sainsbury Centre evaluation report on the process of involving people who use services in the re-commissioning of their day and vocational services.
This report provides insight into what worked during re-commissioning day and vocational services. Full of quotes from the people involved, it should help anyone wishing to embark on the re-commissioning of day and vocational services in their own area.
Report World class commissioning - February 2010 update (18th February 2010)Monthly progress report on the world class commissioning programme.
Update
Improving health outcomes in deprived communities: Evidence from the New Deal for Communities programme (11th February 2010)This report forms part of the National Evaluation of the New Deal for Communities (NDC) programme. It examines interventions designed to improve health outcomes for NDC residents, and explores their subsequent impact. It draws on in-depth case study research in four NDC areas, as well as programme and national level outcome data. The report also looks at the sustainability of the NDC approaches, and draws lessons for both central government and local regeneration partnerships.
Report
Transforming Community Services: The assurance and approvals process for PCT provided community services (5th February 2010)The NHS Operating Framework 2010/11 set a requirement for proposals for future forms of PCT-provided community services to be agreed with SHAs by 31 March 2010.
Building on Enabling new patterns of provision, further guidance has been published that aims to support:
- PCTs as they develop proposals for the future shape of their community services;
- SHAs in their role to assure PCT proposals for community provider organisational form.
Guidance
Consultation on options for improving information on the labels of alcoholic drinks to support consumers to make healthier choices in the UK (15th February 2010)The Government is launching a UK wide consultation on 15 February 2009 to consider how best to improve unit and health information for consumers on alcohol labels, whether through a renewed and strengthened voluntary agreement or a mandatory requirement through legislation under the Food Safety Act. The consultation is being launched jointly by the Department of Health, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government, and the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
Closing date for comments is 9th May 2010.
Consultation
Response to the consultation on: The Health and Social Care Act 2008 code of practice for health and adult social care on the prevention and control of infection and related guidance, and prevention and control of infection in care homes (10th February 2010)A public consultation on The Health and Social Care Act Code of Practice for health and social care on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance and a supporting document on prevention and control of infection in care homes ran between 13 August 2009 and 6 November 2009. This document provides an overview of the consultation process; the responses received, and the Department's reply and actions taken
Consultation Response Framework for quality accounts: a response to consultation (5th February 2010)The framework for Quality Accounts, a consultation on the proposal ran from 17th September to 10th December 2009. This document provides the Department of Health’s official response to the consultation and informs the regulation and DH toolkit for 2009/10 Quality Accounts.
Consultation Response
Six years on: delivering the Diabetes National Service Framework (16th February 2010)The Diabetes National Service Framework (NSF) set out the first ever set of national standards for the treatment and care of people with diabetes. The report reviews the development and delivery of diabetes services and identifies the progress made over the past six years towards meeting the Diabetes NSF.
Report
National Diet and Nutrition Survey (9th February 2010)The findings of a UK dietary survey, published by the Food Standards Agency, suggest that the nation is eating less saturated fat, trans fat and added sugar than it was 10 years ago. The National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) is the first comprehensive survey of people’s eating patterns since 2001, when the survey was last carried out.
Survey
Guidelines and information on anthrax infection for health professionals and drug users (February 2010)As a result of the 2 cases of anthrax in injecting drug users, the Health Protection Agency have produced a number of resources with advice for health professionals and drug users/workers.
Resources
NHS reference costs 2009/10: collection guidance (17th February 2010)This document outlines the mandatory requirements for the 2009-2010 reference costs collection. It updates and supersedes previous costing guidance. It should be read in conjunction with the latest version of the NHS costing manual.
Document NHS Costing Manual 2009-2010 (17th February 2010)This manual sets out the principles and practice of costing to be applied in the NHS. It is not just designed to support the production of the National Schedule of Reference Costs, and through this, the national tariff, but should also be used in developing and monitoring service and financial frameworks, as well as developments in and the monitoring and implementation of National Service Frameworks.
Manual
A survey of general practitioners' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the prevention and management of alcohol-related problems: an update of a World Health Organization survey ten years on (February 2010)The aim of this study, from the Alcohol Education and Research Council (AERC), was to assess the current knowledge, attitudes and practices of GPs concerning brief alcohol intervention and to examine whether these had changed over the last ten years and in light of recent health policy initiatives.
Report
Integrating Health and Social Care Budgets. A case for debate (15th February 2010)Over the last decade, Britain’s public services have faced a number of challenges related to a changing population profile, growing demands from more assertive users, and the need for a more sustainable model of delivery. The UK’s huge fiscal deficit will now add the most pressing and complicated challenge of all: cutting expenditure on public services while maintaining quality and user satisfaction.
This paper opens a debate around the prospects for a more innovative, more responsive model of public services for groups of users with complex needs. This model revolves around integrating healthcare and social care budgets. The paper analyses the policy landscape, the key determinants of modern public services and the main financial aspects of integrated budgets. It recognises that there are two different approaches to integrating budgets – an ‘individually-centred’ approach and a ‘system-centred’ approach – and argues that the best way to create a more responsive and financially effective service model is to combine the two.
Paper
Fair Society, Healthy Lives - The Marmot Review (11th February 2010)According to this report most people in England aren't living as long as the best off and spend longer in ill-health. Fair Society, Healthy Lives proposes a new way to reduce health inequalities. The main recommendations are:
- Giving every child the best start in life
- Enabling all children, young people and adults to maximize their capabilities and have control over their lives
- Creating fair employment and good work for all
- Ensuring a healthy standard of living for all
- Creating and developing sustainable places and communities
- Strengthening the role and impact of ill-health prevention
Report Sustainable Development: The key to tackling health inequalities (12th February 2010)The Sustainable Development Commission's (SDC) contribution to 'Fair Society, Healthy Lives (2010) The Marmot Review' finds measures such as active travel, promoting green spaces and healthy eating will yield co-benefits for both health and carbon emissions and warns opportunities for healthy, low-carbon living should be distributed in ways that favour people with low incomes and so help to reduce their vulnerability to ill-health.
Report
Achieving Efficiency Improvements in the Health Sector through the Implementation of Information and Communication Technologies (16th February 2010)This report presents an analysis of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries efforts to implement information and communication technologies (ICTs) in health care systems. It provides advice on the range of policy options, conditions and practices that policy makers can adapt to their own national circumstances to accelerate adoption and effective use of these technologies.
Report
National Leadership Council: Resources for Ambassadors (published 7th January 2010 new to website 16th February 2010)National Leadership Council (NLC) members and associates have an important role as ambassadors for the NLC and for leadership within the NHS. In order to support this role, this toolkit provides the resources to help members and associates communicate the work of the NLC, and to be advocates for 'leadership for a purpose'.
Resources
North Yorkshire County Council's telehealthcare improves quality of life (11th February 2010)North Yorkshire County Council has turned to telehealthcare as a way to defuse the demographic timebomb. The council has already trialed it early in two areas as part of its drive for more cost effective healthcare.
Information
Measuring what counts (11th February 2010)This paper is based on a seminar organised jointly by Sainsbury Centre and the Department of Health in 2009.
It argues that public services do not routinely collect data on mental health inequalities and that the information they do collect is not used to its full potential.
It calls for better information to be collected and used to measure inequalities in mental health and the life chances of people with mental health problems.
Paper A problem shared is a problem halved? Dementia: learning opportunities from Europe (3rd February 2010)This report, published as a literature review and policy brief, comes at a time of growing awareness of dementia at the UK and EU level
The report argues that:
- There is still widespread disparity in the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with dementia across Europe.
- Discrimination, ignorance and prejudice of dementia is rife.
- All EU countries will need to prioritise spending on dementia and reconcile need, want and value for the public purse in the coming years.
- There is increasing evidence to show early diagnosis coupled with effective early interventions and services are cost effective. Not only in terms of net savings, but in terms of the positive social outcomes for the patients’ families and caregivers.
- The identification of modifiable risk factors that prevent dementia or slow its progression must be a priority, this includes preventative factors such as a healthy diet, promoting physical and cognitive activity and controlling cardiovascular risk factors. Such investments in preventative measures would also improve general public health.
- National Action Plans like the National Dementia Strategy launched in England in 2009 are increasingly considered to be the ‘gold standard’ of policy interventions across Europe. However dementia specific actions and programmes are not in themselves a panacea, if problems in the wider health and social care arena are not addressed.
- There is an increasingly important role for the European Union Institutions to foster, promote and stimulate collaboration between EU Member States.
Press Release
Report
Review of the Mary Seacole Scholarship Awards (11th February 2010)This review provides a robust evaluation which demonstrates that the Mary Seacole Scholarship Awards remains fit for purpose and are achieving its intending goal which are to enhance the development of future leaders in the NHS and improve black and minority ethnic patient experience
Review Access to health services for military veterans: priority treatment (9th February 2010)This letter advises of the guidance in place to ensure that military veterans receive priority access to NHS secondary care, for any conditions which are likely to be related to their service subject to the clinical needs of all patients.Information Delivering same-sex accommodation: self declaration (8th February 2010)This letter introduces the declaration process for all providers of NHS funded care. Monitor will be introducing similar reporting requirements for NHS Foundation Trusts. The accompanying information has been developed to help provider organisations to determine their position.
Information Major trauma care in England (5th England 2010)There is unacceptable variation in major trauma care in England depending upon where and when people are treated, according to a National Audit Office report published today. Care for patients who have suffered major trauma, for example following a road accident or a fall, has not significantly improved in the last 20 years despite numerous reports identifying poor practice, and services are not being delivered efficiently or effectively.
Report Learning from the best: what the NHS needs to do to implement high quality care for all (15th February 2010)A new Health Services Management Centre (HSMC) paper, written in conjunction with the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, sets out how the NHS can learn from high performing health organisations in the delivery of quality. The paper draws on discussions at a two-day seminar which brought together NHS leaders and researchers to explore the evidence from a range of international and UK studies.
Key messages from Chris Ham's paper, include: the need for an integrated approach, with quality as the business strategy; alignment across organisations - the emphasis being whole system thinking and working; and stable and sustainable leadership, which is dispersed throughout organisations and which emphasises strong clinical leadership.
Paper
Change4Life one year one (17th February 2010)This document reports on the first twelve months of the Change4Life campaign. Change4Life, which launched to the public in January 2009, is the social marketing part of the Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives cross-governmental strategy for England. In its first year, Change4Life focused on those families with children aged 5-11, who were at greatest risk of becoming overweight or obese. One year on reports back on how Change4Life has performed against the targets set out in the Change4Life marketing strategy, together with what had been learned about using marketing to influence behaviour one year on.
Report
Pandemic H1N1 (2009) influenza vaccination programme (18th February 2010)Letter from Ian Dalton, National Director for NHS Flu Resilience and Professor David Salisbury CB, Director of Immunisation to NHS Chief Executives with an update on the influenza vaccination programme
Information Pandemic H1N1 (2009) influenza vaccination programme (18th February 2010)Letter from Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer containing an update on the influenza vaccination programme.
Information
Neonatal services urged to follow new gentamicin safety guidance (15th February 2010)New guidance, produced by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) and NHS organisations across England and Wales, has been issued aimed at ensuring safer systems are in place to care for newborn babies needing treatment with gentamicin.
The publication of this Patient Safety Alert follows reports received by the NPSA of 507 patient safety incidents between April 2008 and March 2009 relating to the use of the intravenous antibiotic.
Guidance Adding insult to injury - NHS failure to implement patient safety alerts (16th February 2010)Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA), the independent charity which promotes better patient safety and justice for people who have been affected by a medical accident, has today published results of its research into NHS bodies' failure to implement patient safety alerts issued by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA).
Press Release
Report
Case Studies
GP out of hours services: letter from David Nicholson (4th February 2010)This letter announces the publication of the report 'General practice out-of-hours services: project to consider and assess current arrangements'
LetterGeneral practice out-of-hours services: project to consider and assess current arrangements (4th February 2010)In June 2009, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) began an investigation into the provision of out-of-hours primary care services in five PCTs by Take Care Now (TCN). The CQC’s enquiry was prompted by the tragic death of a patient in February 2008 after he was administered 100mg of diamorphine by a locum doctor from Germany. In October 2009, the CQC issued an interim statement on this investigation, which prompted David Colin-Thomé to write to PCTs, and the Minister of State for Health, Mike O’Brien, to ask the Department of Health to jointly lead a short piece of work to review the local commissioning and provision of out-of-hours services.
Report
Delivering Quality in Primary Care: Performers Lists - Language Knowledge (4th February 2010)Interim guidance to PCTs in England to assist in making decisions about whether or not a doctor has sufficient knowledge of English to be included on the local performers list.
Guidance Commissioning Health. A comparison of English Primary Care Trusts. Preliminary statistical analysis (February 2010)This report, based on preliminary research which brings together a range of economic analysis methods, compares the efficiency of the English PCTs in producing a valued output; the health of their populations, in relation to the costs expended, as measured through programme budgeting data.
The key message for policy makers is that all PCTS are performing at a similar level and there would need to be considerable action at system level to achieve significant change in the efficiency of PCTs.
Report Chemotherapy Services in the Community: a Guide for PCTs (18th February 2010)Chemotherapy Services in the Community provides a guide to PCTs on the potential to develop chemotherapy services in the community. It will help each PCT, together with their Cancer Network, to consider whether there are further opportunities to devolve chemotherapy from cancer centres and cancer units to community settings while maintaining safety and quality and delivering an efficient service.
Guidance
Personalisation and the social care 'revolution': future options for the reform of public services (29th January 2010)The Health Services Management Centre (HSMC) has recently launched a new policy paper entitled Personalisation and the social care 'revolution': future options for the reform of public services.
The paper written by Simon Duffy, Director of the Centre for Welfare Reform, John Waters, of In Control and HSMC's Professor Jon Glasby, introduces the concept of personal budgets as 'Conditional Resource Entitlements' (CREs) - a means of targeting resources towards those who are eligible, but with specific conditions attached. The authors suggest personal budgets, if framed as a form of CRE, can form part of a wider strategy for welfare reform which places emphasis on promoting citizenship and personal responsibility.
Paper
Third Sector Strategic Partner Programme 2010/2011 (1st February 2010)The Department of Health are now inviting applications for the Department of Health (DH) Third Sector Partner Programme for 2010-11.
They are seeking to extend the DH Third Sector Strategic Partner Programme to reach and engage with third sector organisations working in and with:
- Mental Health organisations
- Women’s Sector organisations
- Carers organisations
- Armed Forces and Veterans Charities
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender organisations
- Offender Health and Social Care organisations
Closing date for applications is 12th March 2010
Information
