Health is Wealth. The Liverpool City-region. Health is Wealth Commission. Final Report (18th September 2008)
The Commission was established to examine the growing gap between the City-region’s booming economic performance and its worsening public health status; to look at why this might be happening and to make recommendations as to what might be done to help improve the situation. The Commission was set four key questions: What more can be done to achieve measurably greater aspiration and commitment to improving health and wellbeing amongst local people, communities and businesses? How can the region reduce the current health inequalities that exist across the region and better exploit the diverse assets and talents that lie underused as a result? How can the region strengthen its presence as an internationally renowned centre for health science and better exploit those assets for the benefit of local people? What more can be done to maximise the economic benefit of the health services sector to the region through, for example, procurement, recruitment and enlightened corporate social responsibility?
Report
ChaMPs Public Health Network Strategy 2008-2013 (25th September 2008)
16 months to midnight - meeting the 2010 challenge (September 2008)
This is the programme and one of the presentations from this event that was held on 16th September 2008 at the Stobart Stadium, Widnes.
Programme
Health Inequalities: Progress and Next Steps - A Critical Response
The use of sanctions and rewards in the public sector (17th September 2008)
This report is a review of the use of sanctions and rewards based on academic research and an NAOsurvey of their use in central government. They undertook this to inform the debate on incentivising public sector performance. While many commentators discuss pubic sector performance, they have not systematically reviewed the use of sanctions for failure or rewards for success. The purpose of this report is to bring together the evidence on the effectiveness of sanctions and rewards, summarise the results of our survey on their use in central government, and to provide a practical guide on how to use them well.
Report
Improved reporting of adult social care finance and activity data - revisions to PSS Ex1 return (23rd September 2008)
This report reviews the PSS EX1 return and the needs for improved finance and activity data for adult social care, both locally and nationally. Key objectives for the review included the need for more relevant linked financial and activity data to be generated as contemporaneously as possible and to be directly useable by local managers. Some initial issues have been identified on page 22 where views are formally sought from councils and other interested parties. . The timetable for the anticipated workplan for revisions to PSS EX1 and the development of the proposed extraction tool is set out in Annex A. Please email any feedback by 20th October 2008 to pssex1@dh.gsi.org.uk
Report
Unkind, risk averse and untrusting - if this is today’s society, can we change it? (24th September 2008)
The JRF’s recent public consultation revealed a strong sense of unease about some of the changes shaping British society. This Viewpoint continues the discussion about modern ‘social evils’ on the theme of ‘a decline in values’. Julia Neuberger argues that we can change society for the better by deliberately rebuilding trust, opening up our institutions, and stopping the ‘blame culture’ from preventing simple acts of kindness and altruism.
Document
Social evils and social good (24th September 2008)
The JRF’s recent public consultation revealed a strong sense of unease about some of the changes shaping British society. This Viewpoint continues the discussion about modern ‘social evils’ on the theme of ‘a decline in values’. Anthony Grayling argues that it is the responsibility of each of us to confront such difficulties by getting them in proportion; working out if they really are problems; and deciding what we can do about them, individually and collectively.
Document
Has there been a decline in values in British society? (24th September 2008)
The JRF’s recent public consultation revealed a strong sense of unease about some of the changes shaping British society. This Viewpoint continues the discussion about modern ‘social evils’ on the theme of ‘a decline in values’. Anthony Browne argues that, in the face of an unprecedented and unsettling decline in values, discussing the problem and its causes is the first step towards making things better.
Document
NHS inpatient and outpatient waiting times figures, 31 August 2008 (26th September 2008)
Full Release
Additional Tables
Imaging and radiodiagnostic activity, 2007/08 (26th September 2008)
Quarterly reporting results for Clostridium difficile infections, MRSA bacteraemia and GRE bacteraemia (18th September 2008)
Referral to treatment statistics (admitted patients, July 2008 (25th September 2008)
Commissioner Based
Provider Based
Bed availability and occupancy 2007-2008 (26th September 2008)
National Quality and Outcomes Framework achievement data for England, 2007-08 (30th September 2008)
Online Database
Bulletin
Data Tables
Qresearch report on trends in consultation rates in General Practices 1995-2008 (30th September 2008)
Trends in Consultation Rates in General Practice 1995-1997
Consultation Report Calendar year Jan 1995-Dec 1997
Trends in Consultation Rates in General Practice 1995/96 to 2007/08
Consultation Report Financial Year 1995/96 to 2007/08
Older people enjoy longer, healthier and more active lives (30th September 2008)
More women in work, but half in part-time jobs (26th September 2008)
Monthly Digest of Statistics, September 2008 (26th September 2008)
Road Casualties Great Britain: 2007 Annual Report (26th September 2008)
Full Report
Summary
NHS Maternity Statistics, England: 2006-07 (25th September 2008)
Home births continue gradual increase (25th September 2008)
North-South divide in mothers’ age (25th September 2008)
NHS Immunisation Statistics, England 2007-08 (24th September 2008)
Bulletin
Tables
NHS Staff Earnings Estimates, April to June 2008 (24th September 2008)
Bulletin
Tables
Methodology
More than just staffing numbers - A workbook for acute care workforce redesign and development (23rd September 2008)
Acute care mental health services have made considerable progress since the launch of the National Service Framework and the subsequent Policy Implementation Guidance on crisis resolution home treatment and acute inpatient services but there is still much to be done. More than Just Staffing Numbers is a welcome and timely addition to the range of acute care service improvement tools and initiatives that have been produced in recent years. It should prove very helpful to Trusts in addressing the key workforce issues within their local action plans arising from the recent Healthcare Commission review of acute inpatient services.
Document
Health is global: a UK Government strategy 2008-13 (30th September 2008)
Health is global is the first cross-government strategy to highlight the breath of challenges that face us in the area of global health. The strategy outlines a set of principles and actions that the UK Government will focus on over the next five years to improve the health of across the world, including the UK. The strategy highlights the importance of coherence and consistency in government policy and identifies ways to work even more effectively with our partners to deliver better health outcomes.
Strategy
Summary
Annexes
Impact Assessments
Local 18 week patient experience surveys (9th September 2008)
As signalled in the Operating Framework, this letter is to update NHS chief executives with more detailed guidance on the use of PCT level surveys to measure local patient experience of 18 week pathways. The letter also includes guidance and survey template.
Document
Calculating the costs of efficient care homes (17th September 2008)
This study refines the formula published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) in 2002 (revised 2004) for calculating reasonable fees, based on the operating costs of efficient care homes for older people in England. Using 2008 benchmarks, the study guides users through its associated spreadsheet and advises on modifications to reflect local market conditions.
Study
Keeping Children Safe: Information disclosure about child sexual offenders (15th September 2008)
This document describes a pilot scheme in which parents, carers or guardians of children and young people can ask the police to tell them if a person has a record for child sexual offences. If police checks show that they have a record for child sexual offences or other offences that might put the child at risk, the police will consider sharing this information with the child’s parent, carer or guardian.
Document
Improving outcomes in children and young people with cancer: guidance on commissioning services for young people (8th September 2008)
Letter containing the document Key messages for commissioners of cancer services for teenagers and young adults, developed by the National Cancer Action Team (with advice and support from an expert working group) at the request of the Children and Young People Improving Outcomes Guidance (CYPIOG) Advisory Group to support the implementation of National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance, Improving outcomes for children and young people with cancer.
Guidance
World Class Commissioning - August update (8th September 2008)
Monthly progress report on the World Class Commissioning Programme.
Update
Commissioning Specialist Library (15th September 2008)
The pilot Commissioning Specialist Library went live on 15 September 2008. The library is free, and aims to be a one-stop shop providing timely and efficient access to high quality information resources for all those involved in commissioning for health and wellbeing. It endeavours to include the best available evidence, examples of good practice, policy and data to support world class commissioning.
Resource
NHS PCC Primary Care Service Frameworks for Commissioners (September 2008)
PCC has published a number of Primary Care Service Frameworks to support PCTs and Practice Based Commissioners covering the areas of Alcohol Services, Obesity, Long Term Conditions, Support for Self Care, and Sexual Health. Further frameworks are currently being developed in partnership with the Department of Health.
Frameworks
Commissioning Safe and Sustainable Specialised Paediatric Services - A Framework of Critical Inter-Dependencies (16th September 2008)
This report provides a unique approach to the commissioning of specialised paediatric services. The work has been led by an independent Steering Group with access to a specialist Clinical Advisory Group. The project as a whole has been chaired by Dr Edward Baker, Medical Director and Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist at Guys and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. It has the support of the appropriate Royal Colleges. The results will be of particular interest to those involved in commissioning or delivering specialised paediatric services, but it has broader implications. It provides for the first time a clinically agreed system for representing the nature of the relationships between specialised services. It sets out which services need to be delivered from the same location and which do not. This will be of real significance to anyone assessing the configuration of paediatric services and indeed any services that relate to them - both wider children’s services and services to adults.
Report
Consultation on a regime for unsustainable NHS providers (10th September 2008)
'Developing the NHS performance regime', published 4 June 2008, announced the Government's intention to "establish a failure regime for state-owned providers that reflects the Government's obligations to ensure service continuity and protect public assets.” This consultation document sets out the Department of Health’s proposals for such a regime and seeks views on them by 3 December 2008.
Consultation
Impact Assessment
'Developing the NHS Performance Regime’
Confidentiality: Protecting and providing information (8th September 2008)
The General Medical Council (GMC) consulting on revised guidance for doctors on the principles of confidentiality and respect for patients’ privacy that doctors are expected to understand and follow. Closing date for comments is 28th November 2008.
Consultation information
Response
NHS North West Workforce and Education Strategy (September 2008)
NHS North West has published a 10 year workforce and education strategy. There will now be a three month consultation period, closing at the end of January 2009.
Consultation
Online Response
Traffic Light Food Labelling (August 2008)
The Faculty of Public Health Position Statement on Traffic-light food labelling, which uses red, amber and green signals to show consumers, at-a-glance, whether a product is high, medium or low in fat, saturated fat, sugars and salt.
Position Statement
Real Meals Recipe Pack (11th September 2008)
This recipe pack aims to show young people how to cook tasty and healthy meals, either at school or at home. Each recipe uses simple ingredients and equipment and meets healthy-eating guidelines.
Recipes
Merseyside DIP re-presentation report April-December 2007 (15th September 2008)
Summarises the rates of re-presentation of clients to custody suite drug testing and DIP teams in Merseyside in part of 07/08. The characteristics of clients who re-present are compared to those of clients who do not.
Report
Merseyside DIP Clients: A comparison of client characteristics for under and over 25 year olds (15th September 2008)
A comparison of client characteristics for under and over 25 year olds – This report highlights the substantial differences in characteristics between under and over 25 year olds assessed by DIP teams in Merseyside. In particular the greater use of cocaine, lower expenditure on drugs and differential experience of treatment among under 25 year olds is highlighted.
Report
Impact of Test on Arrest: An examination of Drug Testing and Drug Intervention Record data (15th September 2008)
An examination of the changes in the characteristics of clients coming into contact with the DIP programme brought about through the change from drug testing on charge in the custody suite to drug testing on arrest (April 06).
Report
DIP Attrition: An examination of client characteristics (15th September 2008)
Examines and compares the characteristics of clients exiting the DIP assessment process in Merseyside at different stages. The report provides D(A)ATs with information about how effective they are at engaging with certain client groups through the programme.
Report
Merseyside DIP Demographics Report 06/07 (15th September 2008)
Outlines the characteristics of clients seen by the five Merseyside DIP teams in 06/07. Factors such as age, gender, drug use, treatment history and accommodation status are examined and implications for service delivery discussed.
Report
On the right track? A progress review of the human rights of older people in health and social care (August 2008)
A year ago a parliamentary committee produced a hard-hitting report on older people’s human rights in healthcare which put the issue high on the agenda and called for cultural change within service providing organisations. One year on Age Concern has produced its own report, reviewing the committee’s recommendations. Age Concern continues to receive shocking stories of mistreatment and abuse in hospitals and care homes, including older people being left to sit in their own excrement or denied food and water because the staff are too busy; being left naked in front of other patients; or being heavily sedated so they are easier to care for.
Report
Health Protection Agency launches eHealth - online learning for healthcare professionals (16th September 2008)
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) today launched eHealth, a new online education and training service for health care professionals, exclusively for the National Health Service. The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accredited online training is funded by the Department of Health and covers the management of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) injuries and incidents. eHealth will contribute to a wide range of health care professionals’ ability to prepare their response to a deliberate or accidental CBRN incident.
Resource
Help is at hand: a resource for people bereaved by suicide and other sudden, traumatic death (9th September 2008)
This guide is aimed at the wide range of people who are affected by suicide or other sudden, traumatic death. It aims firstly to help people who are unexpectedly bereaved in this way. It also provides information for healthcare and other professionals who come into contact with bereaved people, to assist them in providing help and to suggest how they themselves may find support if they need it.
Help is at hand
Wallet card for the public
Postcard for professionals
Transforming services for children with hearing difficulty and their families: a good practice guide (16th September 2008)
Further to the publication of ‘Improving Access to Audiology Services in England’ in March 2007 (279830), this document provides good practice and evidence to help commissioners and service providers to make changes to the way that paediatric hearing services are delivered, and in particular to reduce waits for patients with the most common hearing difficulties.
Document
Keep Warm, Keep Well: Supporting vulnerable people during cold weather - advice for health and social care professionals (11th September 2008)
This leaflet is part of the national Keep Warm Keep well programme, which aims to reduce chronic and acute health risks associated with cold weather. It contains advice for people working in primary care or social services, and for home care providers. In this leaflet, you will find out about the dangers of cold to vulnerable people. It will help you plan before and during winter, or for any particularly cold period.
Leaflet
Keep Warm, Keep Well: poster (11th September 2008)
Get your guide to keeping warm and well this winter.
A4 Poster
A3 Poster
Listening and responding to communities: a brief guide to Local Involvement Networks (5th September 2008)
A Local Involvement Network (LINk) should be up and running in every area of England by the end of 2008. This guide has been published to help health and social care managers understand LINks. The guide also explains how LINks can help services respond to local needs.
Guide
Lifting the Burdens Task Force Review of Health and Social Care Burdens (4th September 2008)
The Lifting the Burdens Task Force Review was led by Chief Executive of London Borough of Camden, Moira Gibb. It focuses on those burdens that are a direct result of the local government/Department of Health relationship as well as those that emanate from the Commission for Social Care, and makes recommendations in the areas of: Information for performance monitoring, management and assessment; Service and regulatory inspection; Regional working to support performance improvement; Supporting people; and Enhancers and inhibitors to partnership working. The report makes a total of 19 recommendations, identifying where burdens are occurring and how these can be addressed.
Report
Survey of users of community mental health services 2008 (10th September 2008)
A Healthcare Commission survey of people using community mental health services, published today, has shown continued improvements in care. A larger percentage of service users say that they have confidence in mental health professionals, receive copies of their care plan and have a number to contact out-of-hours when in a crisis situation. Overall, most respondents continued to rate their care highly, with 78% describing it as "excellent", "very good" or "good", 13% as "fair" and 9% as "poor" or "very poor". These figures remain consistent with previous surveys.
Survey
