Key Points – 1^st August 2008<= /o:p>

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Dep= artment of Health

= the week: issue 56, 25 - 31 July 2008

This bulletin is published every Thursday= . It provides news, consultations and events for chief executives in the NHS and local authorities and their teams. It gives links to more information and resources, highlighting areas for action.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Bulletins/the= week/DH_086590

= the month: issue 11, July 2008

An agenda-setting monthly update of key messages from NHS Chief Executive David Nicholson and the NHS leadership team to share with staff, teams and organisations

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Bu= lletins/themonth/browsable/DH_086659

= Engagement analysis: NHS next stage review. What we heard from the 'Our NHS, our futur= e' process

The= 'Our NHS, our future' NHS next stage review, actively engaged, involved and solicited the views of patients, public, staff and stakeholders. A variety = of mechanisms were used to engage over 60,000 participants. The report set out= a summary of responses received.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsan= dstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_086529

= Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA): core dataset and other guidance and reso= urces

Since 1 April 2008, local authorities and PCTs have b= een under a statutory duty to produce a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). JSNA will inform Local Area Agreements and the Sustainable Communities Strategy.

The= process of JSNA will establish the current and future health and wellbeing needs of= a population, leading to improved outcomes and reductions in health inequalit= ies. This is a partnership duty which involves a range of statutory and non-statutory partners, informing commissioning and the development of appropriate, sustainable and effective services.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsan= dstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_086676

= First annual report of the Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy Service

Yea= r 1, April 2007 - March 2008

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsan= dstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_086478

= Mental Health Act 1983 Approved Clinician (General) Directions 2008

These directions explain the changes to t= he Mental Health Act that come into force in November 2008.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publication= sandstatistics/Legislation/Directionsfromthesecretaryofstate/DH_086548<= o:p>

= Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health & HIV

Thi= s group, which provides a wide range of views from health professionals involved in = all aspects of sexual health, will monitor progress and advise the government on implementation of the Sexual Health and HIV Strategy.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publich= ealth/Healthimprovement/Sexualhealth/Sexualhealthgeneralinformation/DH_4079= 794

= Impact assessment of moving ahead with electronic prescription service (release 2)= and enabling completely electronic prescriptions in primary care

This document assesses the impact of switching over to an electronic system for prescriptions in order to reduce= the rising and indirect cost to NHS organisations and primary care contractors.=

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandsta= tistics/Legislation/Regulatoryimpactassessment/DH_086599

= The Protection of Vulnerable Adults list: an investigation of referral patterns= and approaches to decision-making

This research explores the factors leadin= g to placement on the protection of vulnerable adults list, which helps to safeg= uard vulnerable adults in care.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsan= dstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_086635

= Independent inquiry into access to healthcare for people with learning disabilities [Letter]

Let= ter from David Nicholson announcing the publication of the Independent Inquiry into access to healthcare for people with learning disabilities

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsands= tatistics/Lettersandcirculars/Dearcolleagueletters/DH_086605=

= New Deal for Carers: task force reports

These reports describe the work done by f= our task forces in charge of developing a new carers' strategy.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsan= dstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_086585

= National Carers' Strategy - regional events [Letter]

This letter gives information about regio= nal events to help create a common sense of purpose to ensure that carers get t= he services they need.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsands= tatistics/Lettersandcirculars/Dearcolleagueletters/DH_086628=

= Future of the Standing Dental Advisory Committee: response to consultation

This document summarises responses receiv= ed to a consultation on the abolition of the Standing Dental Advisory Committe= e in view of the increasing use of bodies like the National Institute for Health= and Clinical Excellence and subject-specific committees for obtaining clinical advice in dentistry.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Responsestoconsultations/DH_08= 6586

= Revised Best Research for Best Health implementation plans published

The implementation plans for the major components for the NIHR have been revise= d. Each implementation plan sets out the aim of the proposal, who will be involved, how it will be funded, and the timetable for implementation.=

http://w= ww.dh.gov.uk/en/Researchanddevelopment/DH_4136297

= DH news releases 26 July – 1 August 2008

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/enviro= nment/dh/

More improved healthcare facilites

Patients and NHS staff throughout England will benefit from the extension of a highly successful partnership between Primary Care Trusts, local authorities and the private sector to finance and build better local healthcare premises and facilities.

New report shows national suicide rate at record low

Continued fall in suicide rate among young men

NHS launches online one-stop shop for mums-to-be

The first NHS online maternity guide, offering a wealth of information on pregnancy and birth, at just the click = of a mouse, has been launched.

NHS inpatient and outpatient waiting times figures 30th June 2008

Main points this month =

New biomedical research units announced

Three new Biomedical Research Units will = be at the forefront of a £10 million drive to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as heart disease, asthma and obesity, Public Health Minister, Dawn Primarolo has announced.

Anne Williams appointed as National Director for Learning Disabilities =

Health Minister Ivan Lewis has announced = the appointment of Anne Williams as the new National Director for Learning Disabilities at the Department of Health.

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Statistics

NHS inpatient and outpatient waiting times figures, 30 June 2008

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatis= tics/Publications/PublicationsStatistics/DH_086576

Inf= ormation Centre=

= Prescriptions dispensed in the Community 1997 - 2007 [NS]

= http://www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/primary-care/prescript= ions/prescriptions-dispensed-in-the-community-1997--2007-%5Bns%5D<= /o:p>

Ass= ociation of Public Health Observatories

= Health Inequalities Intervention Tool

The intervention tool demonstrates the causes of the life expectancy gap in loc= al authorities and models the impact of up to four interventions. <= /span>

http://www.lho.org.uk/HEALTH_INEQUALITIES/Health_Inequalities_Tool.as= px

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NHS Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS) – updated topics July 2008

= The PRODIGY guidance topics below have been reviewed and converted into CKS clinical topic structure, and are now available on the CKS website http://www.cks.library.nhs.uk/<= o:p>

* Ankylosing spondylitis http://www.ck= s.library.nhs.uk/ankylosing_spondylitis

* Dyspepsia - proven non-ulcer<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> http://ww= w.cks.library.nhs.uk/dyspepsia_proven_non_ulcer

* E= czema - atopic http://www.c= ks.library.nhs.uk/eczema_atopic

* S= eborrhoeic dermatitis http://www.ck= s.library.nhs.uk/seborrhoeic_dermatitis

* S= prains and strains http://www.cks.l= ibrary.nhs.uk/sprains_and_strains

Feedback on draft topics is a = key part in the knowledge development process for the Clinical Knowledge Summar= ies, including feedback from healthcare professionals who use CKS: find out more at http://www.cks.library= .nhs.uk/about#-334306

The draft topics listed below = are now available for feedback:

* Carp= al tunnel syndrome

* Diab= etes - type 2

* Enur= esis - nocturnal

* Erec= tile dysfunction

* Hicc= ups

* Leg cramps - unknown cause

* Warts - genital

* &= nbsp; Varicocele

= The draft topics below will be available for feedback mid-August 2008:

* &= nbsp; Lipids management - drug treatment

* &= nbsp; Cardiovascular disease - risk assessment and management

* &= nbsp; Shoulder pain

* &= nbsp; Breast pain

* &= nbsp; Vitiligo

* &= nbsp; Molluscum

* &= nbsp; Obsessive compulsive disorder

Drug Safety Update, July 2008<= o:p>

Drug safety advice for varenic= line and bisphosphonates

http://= cks.library.nhs.uk/media/drug_safety_update/112.pdf

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Hea= lthcare Commission

= The safer management of controlled drugs: annual report 2007<= /b>

This annual report covers the first operational year of the new controlled drug regime. It sets out the systems that have been put in place, assesses how well the new arrangements are wor= king and makes recommendations to further ensure the safety of patients.<= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>

http://= www.info4local.gov.uk/documents/publications/910661

= National survey of local health services 2008

This is the fifth survey of peoples’ experiences of local health services, such as general practices, health cen= tres and dentistry services. The results should be used by primary care trusts to improve the services that they provide to their local population.

&nb= sp;http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/= healthcareproviders/nationalfindings/surveys/patientsandthepublic/patientsu= rveyresults/primar/nationalsurveyoflocalhealthservices2008.cfm

= Health services respond to Shipman inquiry with better monitoring of controlled dr= ugs

http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/newsandevents/pressrelease= s.cfm?cit_id=3D6532&widCall1=3DcustomWidgets.content_view_1&usecach= e=3Dfalse

= Patients praise the care they get in GP practices and health centres

http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk//newsandevents/pressreleas= es.cfm?cit_id=3D6528&FAArea1=3DcustomWidgets.content_view_1&usecach= e=3Dfalse

= Statement from the Healthcare Commission in response to Kent Police and HSE's announcement on Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS trust=

http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk//newsandevents/pressreleas= es.cfm?cit_id=3D6530&FAArea1=3DcustomWidgets.content_view_1&usecach= e=3Dfalse

= Statement from the Healthcare Commission in response to the independent inquiry into access to healthcare for people with learning disabilities

http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk//newsandevents/pressreleas= es.cfm?cit_id=3D6531&FAArea1=3DcustomWidgets.content_view_1&usecach= e=3Dfalse

NHS Networks

= Institute of Metabolic Science founded to study obesity and diabetes

http://www.networks= .nhs.uk/news.php?nid=3D2340

= Monitor - annual report 2007-08

http://www.networks= .nhs.uk/news.php?nid=3D2338

= Health check: a practical guide to assessing the impact of volunteering in the NHS=

http://www.networks= .nhs.uk/news.php?nid=3D2333

= Concordat to support the career development of researchers

http://www.networks= .nhs.uk/news.php?nid=3D2334

Pri= mary Care Commissioning

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= Alcohol Primary Care Service Framework

Thi= s new 'enhanced service' framework provides examples of good practice around alco= hol services in primary care. The framework is complemented by an alcohol care pathway and suite of practical resources available at:
http://www.pcc.nhs.uk/204=

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Com= munities and Local Government

= Communities in Control: equality impact assessment

This document provides a provisional assessment of what impact the white paper Communities in Control may have on key equalities groups and some of the actions that could be taken to mitiga= te these impacts.

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/equali= tyimpactassessment

Dep= artment for Children, Schools and Families

= Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services review. The interim report – Ju= ly 2008

The= CAMHS review looks at how well services are meeting the educational, health and social needs of children and young people at risk of, and experiencing, men= tal health problems. An interim report, prepared by the Review’s Chairs f= or Ministers, is now published and available on this site; it highlights the k= ey themes that are emerging from the Review.

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/CAMHSre= view/

= Inclusion Development Programme: Primary and secondary dyslexia and speech, language = and communications needs DVDs

These DVDs support continuity and progres= sion for pupils with dyslexia or speech, language and communication needs.

http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction=3Dprod= uctdetails&PageMode=3Dpublications&ProductId=3DDCSF-00070-2008&=

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BBC= Health

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/=

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You can also read Key Points, and other info-rela= ted alerts and messages, on the HILS (Health Information & Library Service) weblog at:

www.cehi-hils.org.uk

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Sue Austin & Sue Graham=

tel: 0191 4971460 0191 5297209

Librarian/Knowledge Managers

email library@sotw.nhs.uk

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Did you know that your local health library offers:

Hel= p and advice from skilled staff
Journal and book collections – electronic as well as traditional
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