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The Digest

Did you see the news about...? If you missed an announcement or new development of interest to you, the chances are that it could be listed in The Digest. Each month in The Digest we feature subjects of note including where to obtain more information.

Black and minority ethnic framework

Proposals to improve mental health services for black and minority ethnic communities have been set out for consultation by the Department of Health.

Priorities for improvement are included in Delivering Race Equality: A Framework for Action.

A target for the employment of 500 new community development workers by 2006 is built into the framework.

The National Institute for Mental Health England (NIMHE) is establishing a major national implementation programme and consultation events across the country to recruit new workers and engage with black and minority ethnic communities.

The consultation ends on 23 January.

Reporting deaths in surgery

The regulations introducing services lists also amend the NHS (General Medical Services) Regulations to require all GP principals to notify their PCT of the death of any patient on their premises.

Send queries to MB-PCLists@doh.gsi.gov.uk  or contact Jenny Smith on 0113 254 5825

The published regulations are available at:

Climinal Records Bureau (CRB) checks

From 3 November, there will be a requirement on a listed doctor to provide his/her PCT with an enhanced criminal record certificate if the PCT asks for one with reasonable cause. This limited facility is intended to permit verification to take place in the very small number of individual cases where information has come to the notice of a PCT that calls into question the openness of the declarations the doctors provided about their history.

Email the medical services or contact Jenny Smith on 0113 254 5825

Further advice can be found here:

Equality and diversity

Two documents on equality and diversity in the NHS consultation have been issued for information and consultation.

The first - Equalities and Diversity in the NHS - Progress and Priorities - sets out for what equality and diversity means in the NHS; how the service has invested in the issue; and how that investment is paying off. The report is available at:

The second document - Equality and Diversity Strategy and Delivery Plan to Support the NHS -details plan for delivering support to trusts and workforce development confederations.

Comments and feedback on both documents should be sent to:

GPs shape NHS computer plans

A group helping to shape the future of the National Programme for IT in the NHS held its first meetings this month.

The National Clinical Advisory Board includes GPs, consultants, nurses, dentists, health visitors, midwives and pharmacists.

It will provide ongoing advice and input into the programme from frontline staff who have to use and implement IT systems and strategies.

There is also a Public Advisory Group.

Regulation changes

Changes to regulations to allow doctors with limited registration to work as GPs or GP registrars have been made with effect from 3 November.

These allow non-European Economic Area (EEA) trained GPs, with limited registration, to work in the NHS and as GP registrars during their induction to the NHS.

The amendments are:

  • GMS Regulations (Part 1, 2(I) Interpretation)
  • Supplementary List Regulations (4(2)(f))
  • Draft Services List Regulations (4(2)(f))

These changes extend to doctors working in general practice the effects of the changes made last year to the Medical Act 1983 (section 60 Order), which enables doctors with limited registration to work in supervised employment.

Further information may be obtained from Liz Kidd.

Access to the published regulations can be obtained at:

NHS LIFT GP Champions

Clinical engagement is an important part of the NHS Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) scheme.

The first central network event of NHS LIFT GP Champions is taking place on 12 November in London. This group is expected to meet centrally every quarter to share ideas and operate as a "virtual group". Dr Sam Everington, a GP at Bromley-by-Bow Centre, London will be the focus for the central network of GP LIFT Champions.

Name change

The names of certain medicinal substances will be changing from December. In future where the recommended International Non-Proprietary Name (rINN) and the British Approved Name (BAN) differ, the BAN will change to match the rINN.

Adrenaline and noradrenaline will not change though labelling with both the BAN and rINN will be encouraged. Vigilance by healthcare professionals and careful advice to patients will be needed during the changeover to minimise the risk of medication errors.

More at

Pharmacy reform

A consultation is being held on plans to reform NHS pharmacy legislation.

The Department of Health published proposed changes to the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1992 in August. The consultation runs until 21 November.

Information on the proposed changes is available at:

Label warning

A new national campaign is warning smokers not to be fooled by cigarette packaging.

Cancer Research is promoting the message that 'low tar' or 'mild' labels don't mean a particular cigarette brand is any less harmful.

The campaign - Death Repackaged - is timed to coincide with new EU legislation tightening labelling rules.

The campaign has the support of chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson, who warned in 2000 that low tar brands could be responsible for a significant increase in adenocarcenoma.

Heart services investment

More than £200 million is to be spent on improving the diagnosis and treatment of heart patients across the NHS.

Government cash of £93 million will provide three new cardiac centres at Basildon, Leicester and Nottingham to provide more beds, theatres and catheter laboratories.

An extra £125m will be spent on new or replacement catheter labs at Chesterfield, Cheltenham, Papworth, Rochdale Infirmary, Bournemouth, the Brompton, Harefield and Sheffield, as part of the joint New Opportunities Fund and Department of Health programme.

Keep warm, keep well

The Government has launched a six-month campaign to protect older and vulnerable people from winter-related illnesses and deaths.

Keep Warm, Keep Well offers practical help via a free telephone advice line, a Warm Front scheme for improving heating and insulation and a free winter guide.

Financial help available includes up to £2,500 to cover the cost of insulation and central heating, £200 winter fuel payments for each household to help with heating bills and an extra £100 for people aged 80 or over.

Flu jab campaign

'Get your free flu jab and stay well this winter' is the simple message to older people during this year's national flu immunisation campaign.

The 2003-2004 campaign aims to encourage people aged 65 or over and those in at risk groups to book an appointment for their free flu jab.

The campaign is being heavily promoted nationally and locally. Promotional material for practices is available.

Immunisation statistics

Latest figures show the majority of parents still have their children immunised.

During 2002-2003, 94 per cent of children reaching their second birthday were immunised against diphtheria and tetanus.

In the same period 93 per cent of two-year-olds were immunised against polio, pertussis and Haemophilus influenza B.

There was an increase from 89 to 90 per cent in coverage against meningitis C in children before their first birthday. Eight out of 10 children received the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at 16 months.

Cancer care

Specialist care for terminally-ill cancer patients is to benefit from a £50 million boost.

The funding will increase the quality and availability of palliative care, including 70 extra consultants and 162 more clinical nurse specialists to support patients and families at home, in hospitals and care homes.

There will also be 86 more hospice beds, extra Marie Curie cancer care nurses and more funds for palliative care training programmes.

Cash will be distributed to 32 cancer networks across the country. They will decide how the funds will be spent locally.

NHS and Primary Care magazines

The magazines aim to spread good practice, stimulate debate and keep health professionals up to date with the latest developments.

Medical Device Alert; Device Bulletin

A Medical Device Alert was issued by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in September relating to Roche Diagnostic CoaguChek PT test strips.

These are used for the home monitoring of coagulation status in patients on anticoagulant therapy.

The manufacturer identified a problem affecting one lot relating to defects in the packaging. In addition to the issuing of this alert, and because of the difficulties in locating all relevant patients, the manufacturer has placed an advertisement in the media.

Device Bulletin: MHRA DB2003(06) - Community Equipment Loan Stores - Guidance on Decontamination.

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