Website of the Department of Health

Flu vaccine stocks - important update

GPs and practices are being asked to ensure their remaining flu vaccine is only used on people aged 65 and over and those in a clinical risk group.

Many surgeries have been requesting more supplies than they ordered and stocks nationally are running low.

In a letter to GPs, the Department of Health's head of immunisation David Salisbury said the Government was trying to secure more vaccine from the manufacturers. In the meantime, any practices with more vaccine than they need should contact:

• jeff.porter@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)
• Supplies of seasonal influenza vaccine (21 November 2005)

The United Kingdom is one of the world's leading nations for inoculating people over 65 against influenza, says the biennial Health at a Glance report. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ranks the UK fourth, eight points behind the leading nation, the Netherlands (which has a top rate of 79 per cent).

• OECD countries spend only 3% of healthcare budgets on prevention, public awareness (opens new window)

More practice-based commissioning support now available

Two new resources are now available to support practices with the introduction of practice-based commissioning (PBC).

The first in a series of online bulletins about PBC has been published by NHS Primary Care Contracting (PCC).

• PbC Bulletins (opens new window)

The National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) has developed a support package - including telephone and e-mail helplines, a web-based question and answer facility and best practice examples - to help practices with all aspects of PBC.

• Practice Based Commissioning - Practice Support (opens new window)

Bid to raise awareness of male cancer launched

A single primary care trust area is to be selected to test the impact of a pilot campaign to raise men's awareness and understanding of prostate cancer.

If successful, the campaign, from the Department of Health and the Prostate Cancer Charter for Action, could be rolled out nationally.

• Funding boost for prostate cancer awareness

GP numbers rise during third quarter of 2005

The number of GPs, excluding registrars and retainers, practising in the NHS increased by nearly one per cent during the third quarter of 2005.

At the end of July the NHS had 32,194 GPs on its books, but that rose to 32,418 during the period to the end of September.

The statistics also showed 2,481 GP registrars, an increase of nearly two per cent since March 2005.

• NHS Workforce: consultants and GPs as at 30 June 2005 (opens new window)

Pharmacies most popular for morning-after pill

Women prefer to get the morning-after pill from pharmacies rather than GP surgeries, according to a survey by National Statistics.

The report, commissioned by the Department of Health, shows half of women seeking treatment went to a pharmacy, compared to 33 per cent who went to their GP or practice nurse.

• Full results (opens new window)

New guidelines on long-acting contraception

GPs and their clinical colleagues should offer the full range of contraceptives to women, says the NHS clinical watchdog.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommends methods of long-acting reversible contraception be offered to all women seeking advice on birth control.

• National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (opens new window)

Leeds practice takes NPDT award

The Oakley Medical Practice in Leeds has won the National Primary Care Development Team's Guy Rotherham Award for best practice in primary care. The award was for the practice which best uses continuous methods to improve quality of services and outcomes for their patients.

New scheme for reporting side effects from medicines

Patients can now directly report suspected side effects from medicines under a new pilot scheme.

The extension to the Yellow Card Scheme, launched by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), includes all types of prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs and herbal/complementary medicines.

Reports on side effects can be made via a dedicated website, through the Yellow Card hotline on 0800 100 3352, or by filling out a form that will be available shortly from some outlets including GP surgeries and pharmacies. The pilot scheme could be extended if successful.

Healthcare professionals may also submit reports on a patient's behalf.

• MHRA's Yellow Card website (opens new window)

Consultation on new role to support doctors

GPs are being invited to comment on proposals to introduce a new type of healthcare professional to help doctors and nurses treating patients in both hospitals and primary care settings.

After extensive training, medical care practitioners, similar to US-style physician assistants, would perform duties similar to junior doctors.

• Live consultations

Consumables consultation launched

GPs are being asked for their views on improving the supply of dressings, chemicals and other medical 'consumables'.

A consultation on arrangements for the supply of consumables, worth more than £631 million each year, continues until 23 January.