Key Points
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Department of Health
the week: issue 70, 31 October - 6 November 2008
Provides need-to-know news, consultations and events for chief executives and their teams. It provides links to more information and resources, highlighting areas for action
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Bulletins/theweek/DH_090023
NHS
Workforce bulletin, issue 137,
Weekly update on HR and workforce issues in the NHS.
http://www.nhsemployers.org/files/workforce_bulletin.html
End of
life care strategy: quality markers consultation [Closing date:
This document has been developed with help from the SHA Pathway Chairs for the NHS Next Stage Review, who identified the need for a national approach in order to raise the quality of care for people at the end of life. The document is aimed at commissioners, performance managers and providers of end of life care services, from the NHS, voluntary and independent sectors.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_090077
Manual for cancer services 2008: draft children’s measures – Consultation [closing date: 30 January 2009]
This consultation seeks views on how to make new children's cancer measures clear and comprehensive.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_089895
Draft children’s cancer measures for the manual for cancer services: consultation [Letter]
This letter draws attention to a consultation on children's cancer measures.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Lettersandcirculars/Dearcolleagueletters/DH_089911
Draft guidance on NHS patients who wish to pay for additional private care
This draft guidance for consultation is in response to Prof Mike Richards’ review into the consequences of additional private drugs for NHS care.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_089926
Improving access to medicines for NHS patients: a report for the Secretary of State for Health by Professor Mike Richards
Professor Mike Richards' report sets out a series of recommendations on improving access to medicines for NHS patients. It also makes recommendations on the consequences for NHS patients of seeking additional private care. Professor Richards presented his report to the Secretary of State; who accepted the recommendations in full on 4 November.
Paying for (expensive) drugs in the statutory system: an overview of experiences in 13 countries
As part of his review, Professor Mike Richards commissioned a report from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, on international comparisons of access to medicine.
Statement by Alan Johnson on the Richards report, Improving access to medicines for NHS patients
This is a transcript of the speech to Parliament by Secretary of State for Health Alan Johnson on 4 November 2008. He makes two announcements to improve patients' access to medicines.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/News/Speeches/DH_090043
International Conference on the Social Determinants of Health: speech by Alan Johnson
This is a transcript of the speech by Secretary of State for Health Alan Johnson on 6 November 2008. He talks about tackling health inequalities by addressing wider determinants, improving access to health services and offering people support to improve their lifestyles.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/News/Speeches/DH_090058
Patients' prospectus - 'Your health, your way - a guide to long term conditions and self care' - national launch [Letter]
This letter from Director General of Commissioning and System Management Mark Britnell announces the launch of the patients' prospectus.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Lettersandcirculars/Dearcolleagueletters/DH_090037
World Class Commissioning and Audit Commission auditors’ local evaluation (use of resources from 08/09) [Letter]
This letter outlines how the Audit Commission auditors’ local evaluation will provide a basis to help primary care trusts develop under the world-class commissioning assurance system.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Lettersandcirculars/Dearcolleagueletters/DH_090012
Commissioning IAPT for the whole community: Improving access to psychological therapies
This document will help commissioners (including practice-based commissioners) to deliver improving access to psychological therapies services that are effective and appropriate for the whole community, using innovative ways of meeting the needs of local people.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/DH_090011
Mental Health Act 2007: key documents amended
From 3 November 2008 most of the remaining provisions of the Mental Health Act 2007 – with the exception of deprivation of liberty safeguards, advocacy and age-appropriate environments for those under 18 – come into force and the Mental Health Act 1983 is amended.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/NationalServiceFrameworks/Mentalhealth/DH_089882
Acting for change: transforming pathology services through action learning
Building on the earlier success of the Pathology Action Learning Programme, in 2007/08 DH supported around 30 learning sets. They used action learning techniques to tackle issues such as point of care testing, workforce re-profiling, phlebotomy, and service reconfiguration. This report makes available the learning from those projects, together with an introduction to action learning.
Workforce planning in pathology toolkit
This toolkit sets out what the scientific workforce currently does in individual pathology services and helps managers to gain evidence to support their plans for the pathology workforce.
Emergency readmission rates: further analysis
This paper reviews an analysis by the National Centre for Health Outcomes Development of the rising trend of emergency readmissions and carries out further analysis on an enhanced dataset.
Trans: a practical guide for the NHS
This document gives best practice advice for NHS organisations to address their responsibilities relating to employment and healthcare delivery for trans people.
The new GP Patient Survey [Letter]
This letter informs primary care trusts of the data processor agreement with Ipsos MORI to ensure that data from the survey can be lawfully processed.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Lettersandcirculars/Dearcolleagueletters/DH_090027
Pay
framework for very senior managers in Strategic and Special Health Authorities,
Primary Care Trusts and Ambulance Trusts - updated
This framework covers chief executives, executive directors (except medical directors and directors of public health) and others with board-level responsibility who report directly to the chief executive.
Senior Salaries Review Body - review for 2009
This report presents written evidence from the Department of Health on NHS very senior managers.
NHS guidance on planning for disruption to road fuel supply: strategic national guidance for NHS organisations
This document gives interim guidance to NHS organisations to assist with their business continuity management planning in response to a potential reduction of the normal availability of road fuel.
DH news releases 2-7 November 2008
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/environment/dh/
New sudden cardiac death database to save lives
A database has been launched which will help identify the incidence and causes of sudden cardiac death and save the lives of people who may currently be at risk from the inherited heart condition that can strike without warning, the Department of Health announced.
Health Minister announces £500k partnership fund to support staff development
A new fund to promote and develop partnership working between employers and trades unions is to announced by Health Minister Ann Keen.
New contract agreement for medical technology trials
The development of important medical devices like hip and knee replacements, pacemakers and stents get a boost, as a new agreement makes it easier to get approved trials in patients underway.
Majority of Brits are happy and believe in a fair society
Alan Johnson asks - can we eradicate health inequality?
Statistical Press notice: Dental Commissioning - quarterly update, September
The July-September statistics have been released by the Department of Health:
New fast track help for areas with most severe alcohol problems
Twenty of the areas worst hit by alcohol misuse are to receive support as part of a new programme which will help the local health service better identify and intervene with those at risk, Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo announced.
Alan Johnson publishes proposals to make more drugs available on the NHS
NHS care will not be withdrawn from patients who pay for additional drugs
Statistics
Dental Commissioning monitoring
The statistics for July-September 2008 have been added.
http://www.performance.doh.gov.uk/dental_contracts/index.htm
NICE
Clinical Guidance
CG74Prevention and treatment of surgical site infection
Summary
The advice in the NICE guideline covers:
Adults and children who are going to have a cut through the skin for an operation. It does not specifically look at:
adults and children who are going to have an operation that does not involve a cut through the skin on the outside of the body
adults and children who are going to have procedures involving thintubes (called catheters) placed in blood vessels, tubes (called shunts) inserted into the body to divert fluid, thin flexible telescopes (called endoscopes) to view the inside of the body or metal pins used externally to treat broken bones.
This guideline updates and replaces NICE technology appraisal guidance 24 (published April 2001)
http://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/CG74
TA159 Pain (chronic neuropathic or ischaemic) - spinal cord stimulation
Summary
Spinal cord stimulation is recommended as a possible treatment for adults with chronic pain of neuropathic origin if they:
continue to experience chronic pain (measuring at least 50 mm on a 0–100 mm visual analogue scale) for at least 6 months despite standard treatments, and have had a successful trial of spinal cord stimulation as part of an assessment by a specialist team.
Treatment with spinal cord stimulation should only be given after the person has been assessed by a specialist team experienced
http://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/TA159
Technology Appraisals
TA160 Osteoporosis - primary prevention
Alendronate, etidronate, risedronate, raloxifene and strontium ranelate for the primary prevention of osteoporotic fragility fractures in postmenopausal women
Summary
Whether or not a postmenopausal woman with osteoporosis is offered one of these drugs to prevent bone fractures will depend on her age, her bone density and how many risk factors for fracture and indicators of fragile bones she has.
In principle, alendronate is recommended as a possible treatment for preventing bone fractures in postmenopausal women who have had osteoporosis diagnosed but have not had a fracture.
If a woman can't take alendronate, risedronate and etidronate are recommended under certain circumstances as possible alternative treatments to prevent fractures.
If a woman can't take alendronate or either risedronate or etidronate, then strontium ranelate is recommended under certain circumstances as a possible alternative treatment to prevent fractures.
Raloxifene is not recommended as a treatment for preventing fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who have not had a fracture.
The guidance says that women who are 75 or over may not need a bone scan to diagnose their osteoporosis.
The full versions of the final NICE guidance on the use of drugs for primary and secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures have been available on the NICE website since 27 October.
The hard copies of the guidance will be produced in accordance with our monthly publication schedule, on 26 November. The NHS funding directive will come into effect once the hard copy has been issued to the NHS.
http://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/TA160
TA161 Osteoporosis - secondary prevention including strontium ranelate
Summary
This guidance replaces TA87 Osteoporosis - secondary prevention.
Whether or not a postmenopausal woman who has had a bone fracture because of osteoporosis is offered treatment to prevent further fractures will depend on her age, her bone density and how many risk factors for fracture she has.
Alendronate is recommended as a possible treatment for preventing bone fractures in postmenopausal women who have already had a fracture and have had osteoporosis diagnosed.
If a woman can't take alendronate, risedronate and etidronate are recommended under certain circumstances as possible alternative treatments to prevent further fractures.
If a woman can't take alendronate or either risedronate or etidronate, then strontium ranelate and raloxifene are recommended under certain circumstances as possible alternative treatments to prevent further fractures.
If a woman can't take alendronate, or either risedronate or etidronate, or strontium ranelate, teriparatide is recommended under certain circumstances as a possible alternative treatment to prevent further fractures. Teriparatide is also recommended as a possible alternative treatment for a woman who has another fracture when she has been taking alendronate, risedronate or etidronate for 1 year (and her bone density has fallen).
The guidance says that women who are 75 or over may not need a bone scan to diagnose their osteoporosis.
The full versions of the final NICE guidance on the use of drugs for primary and secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures have been available on the NICE website since 27 October.
The hard copies of the guidance will be produced in accordance with our monthly publication schedule, on 26 November. The NHS funding directive will come into effect once the hard copy has been issued to the NHS.
http://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/TA161
Public health intervention guidance
Guidance for Occupational therapy and physical activity interventions to promote the mental wellbeing of older people in primary care and residential care
Summary
The guidance focuses on the role of occupational therapy interventions and physical activity interventions in the promotion of mental wellbeing for older people. It is for NHS primary care and other professionals who have a direct or indirect role in, and responsibility for, promoting older people's mental wellbeing. This includes those working in local authorities and the wider public, private, voluntary and community sectors. It will also be relevant for carers and family members who support older people and may be of interest to older people themselves.
The
guidance complements and supports, but does not replace, NICE guidance on:
supporting people with dementia and their carers in health and social care;
managing depression in primary and secondary care; assessing and preventing
falls in older people; obesity; commonly used methods to increase physical
activity; physical activity and the environment; behaviour change and community
engagement.
http://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/PH16
NICE announces measures on end of life medicines
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has today announced proposals that will enable it to provide its independent advisory bodies with additional advice when they are asked to make recommendations on the use of medicines for treating certain rarer conditions which extend life at the end of life.
Strategies to prevent unintentional injuries among under 15s: draft scope consultation
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=folder&o=42505
Preventing unintentional injuries among under 15s in the home: consultation on the draft scope
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=folder&o=42502
Preventing unintentional road injuries among under 15s: consultation on the draft scope
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=folder&o=42497
Critical illness rehabilitation: consultation on draft guidance
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=folder&o=42523
Lung cancer - update: consultation on the draft scope
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=folder&o=42528
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network
SIGN 106: Control of pain in older adults with cancer
http://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/fulltext/106/index.html
National Library for Public Health & Public Health Observatories
Newsletter November 2008
http://www.library.nhs.uk/publichealth/page.aspx?pagename=NEWSLETTER
Health Protection Agency
42% of Africans with HIV in the UK are diagnosed late
Figures released today in a report by the Health Protection Agency show that almost half (42%) of all African individuals diagnosed with HIV in the UK are missing out on the benefits that come from early diagnosis including improved life expectancy, because they are diagnosed late – that is, after a point at which treatment should have started.
http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1225789252997?p=1204186170287
NHS Networks
Guidance on NHS patients who wish to pay for additional private care
http://www.networks.nhs.uk/news.php?nid=2445
Food Standards Agency
Pregnant women advised to limit caffeine consumption
http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2008/nov/caffeinenov08
The Food Standards Agency has published revised guidance for industry and enforcement authorities on country of origin labelling, as part of its continuing commitment to improve food labelling for consumers.
http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2008/nov/originguidance
Healthy Food Code launch: speech by Deirdre Hutton
This is a transcript of the speech by Food Standards Agency Chair Deirdre Hutton at the launch of the healthy food code on 28 October 2008. She talks about the healthy food code as a real opportunity to work together with the Department of Health to improve the health of the nation.
http://www.food.gov.uk/news/speeches/deirdrehutton/healthyfoodcodelaunch
Prime Minister's speech on health
This is a transcript of the speech by Prime Minister Gordon Brown at a health conference on 6 November 2008. He talks about global health inequalities.
http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page17380
Home Office
National and Regional Estimates of the Prevalence of Opiate Use and Crack Cocaine Use 2006-07: A summary of key findings
This report summarises the results of a three-year study to estimate the prevalence of problematic use of opiates and crack cocaine.
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/horr09.pdf
Department for Works and Pensions
Managing mental health and employment.
This report presents the findings of an exploratory qualitative study commissioned in 2007 by the Department for Work and Pensions to investigate the experiences of people with a mental health condition who had continued to work in paid employment while unwell. The study was carried out by the Social Policy Research Unit at the University of York and was based on interviews with 38 people working for a range of small and large employers in the public and private sectors.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/report_abstracts/rr_abstracts/rra_537.asp
Ending Child Poverty: Thinking 2020 - report and think-pieces from the Child Poverty Unit conference
This report summarises an event for stakeholders from lobby organisations, academic institutions, devolved administrations and local and central government. Also included are four think-pieces on financial support, employment, communities and children’s life chances.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/report_abstracts/wp_abstracts/wpa_056.asp
Commission for Social Care Inspection
Safeguarding adults
This study focuses on the arrangements that are in place across England to protect adults from abuse.
http://www.csci.org.uk/about_us/publications/safeguarding_adults.aspx
BBC Health
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