Website of the Department of Health

Creative arts and humanities

A new report describing the strategies required to promote the use of creative arts and humanities in health care is now available.

Produced by the Nuffield Trust, it aims to raise the importance and value of the two disciplines in boosting patient recovery and self confidence.

Creative Arts and Humanities in Health: Swallows to other continents asserts the importance of creative arts despite its difficult fit with target-driven treatment regimes and also in improving the healthcare environment.

• View the report (opens new window)

Occupational therapy course

A master of science occupational therapy (pre-registration) course is fully subscribed until 2006.

The course, which is run by the School of Allied Health Professions at Leeds Metropolitan University, provides an intensive two-year curriculum for graduates with a related degree who want to qualify as occupational therapists.

Applications for the 2006 entry will not be taken until early 2005 but applicants can register to be added to the database by sending an e-mail:

• occupational@leedsmet.ac.uk (opens new window)
• Course details (opens new window)

Progress on Changing Workforce

A new website has been launched to spread the latest information on the Changing Workforce programme.

This review and redesign of roles within primary care is of special interest to AHPs who are becoming more involved in team working within the NHS locally.

The site has details of the roles that are being developed and amended to deal with challenges in most service areas of primary care as well as information on how implementation is being applied across England.

The programme is about halfway towards meeting its objectives, meaning there is still a lot of work to be done developing, implementing and measuring the impact of new ways of working.

• Changing Workforce Programme (opens new window)

Stroke website innovation

A comprehensive web facility for healthcare professionals has been launched by The Stroke Association.

Expanding on its existing resources the site includes All About Stroke, which was originally developed for the NHS Direct website and has now been donated to the charity to make general information about strokes more widespread.

Professionals are being given access to free specialist publications and resource packs.

• www.stroke.org.uk (opens new window)

Tackling fraud - a consultation

The NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service is seeking more powers to help with investigations.

AHPs are among those being asked to comment on proposed legislation which would allow investigators easier access to relevant documents, records and data.

It is not suggested that counter fraud specialists should have any right of access to public, private or commercial property, but the document proposes they should be able to demand access to original documents, retain these during the investigation and view information without prior announcement.

The deadline for responses to the consultation document is 21 January.

Reducing bureaucracy costs

More than £220 million will be saved on the NHS bureaucracy bill after a new contract was agreed to help centralise many administrative services.

A 10-year partnership deal with private sector company Xansa will create NHS Shared Business Services Ltd, incorporating the existing service centres currently trading as NHS Shared Financial Services.

• NHS Shared Business Services (opens new window)

Encouraging older employees

The attractions of employing older people in health and social care are being promoted by NHSU, the corporate university for the NHS. 

Working in co-operation with teams across Europe, the NHSU is developing the New Role Project to encourage older workers back into the labour market.  

The programme is a development of the Health Learning Works project which trains and supports long-term unemployed people into the NHS and social services.

Meeting the NHS challenges

Health and social care organisations are being offered additional support to help them respond to the needs of a modern NHS. 

The NHS Improvement Plan, published earlier this year, sets the agenda for delivering better patient services over the next four years.  

Delivering the NHS Improvement Plan: the workforce contribution highlights strategic workforce issues that support local delivery plans and identifies further resources that are available.

• Delivering the NHS Improvement Plan: the workforce contribution

NHS Improvement Plan - it's your NHS leaflet

The Department of Health has produced a leaflet, It's Your NHS. Developing a more personal service. 

It is aimed at the public and highlights key elements of the NHS Improvement Plan.

Copies will be distributed to GP surgeries, pharmacies and dentists.

More copies can be ordered on 08701 555 455.

Learning disabilities care improving

Serices for people with learning difficulties are improving but the speed of improvement is variable, a watchdog has found.

The report, Valuing People - Much Achieved, More to do by the independent Commission for Social Care Inspection, says that local social care and health teams need to improve their information and support services and provide more specialist joint assessment and care management teams.

There is also a need for greater forward planning and co-ordination between agencies.

• Valuing people: much achieved, more to do (opens new window)

Healthcare Commission consultation

As new systems are set to replace star ratings, a 12-week consultation into how the Healthcare Commission assesses and rates healthcare providers was launched on 29 November.

The commission is inviting staff working in the healthcare sector to come forward with their views.  

If you would like to take part call 0845 6013012 or send an email:

• feedback@healthcarecommission.org.uk (opens new window)
• www.healthcarecommission.org.uk (opens new window)

Guide to disabled people's housing

A new good practice guide will provide valuable advice to housing and social services teams on how to best meet disabled people's needs.

Delivering Housing Adaptations for Disabled People has been jointly published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills.

It provides a comprehensive checklist and advice to councils, particularly for housing and social service authorities, on how an efficient housing adaptations service can best be organised.

• www.odpm.gov.uk (opens new window)

Chinese mental health helpline

The Chinese Mental Health Association has launched the first ever mental health helpline serving the UK's Chinese community.

The Wah Sum helpline - supported by the Big Lottery Fund - is a confidential service offering information, advice, service referral, signposting and emotional support to Chinese people suffering from mental distress and their carers.

The helpline number is 0845 122 8660 and is available 10am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.

AHPs are urged to circulate information about the helpline among their colleagues, service users, carers and anyone else who may be interested.