Department of Health

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News in brief

Fairness in primary care

The Department of Health has taken the first steps to improving equality of primary care provision, by hosting a workshop for the 30 primary care trusts (PCTs) with the lowest ratio of GPs to population.

The White Paper, 'Our health, our care, our say' committed the Department to use national procurement to increase primary care capacity in under-served areas.

The workshop, which took place on 13 March with senior PCT staff, was designed to help shape this process.

Each PCT has now been asked to review its plans and specify its needs for extra services.

The Department will also be keeping other PCTs informed about the initiative.

Pioneer trusts tackle waiting lists

Eight areas in England have been chosen as 'pioneer' health communities, charged with developing simple ways of recording referral-to-treatment times, including hidden diagnostic waits, by the end of June.

Solutions and lessons learned will be shared through the 18 weeks website and workshops.

Replacements for Sir Nigel Crisp

Sir Nigel Crisp, who stepped down from his post as chief executive of the NHS and permanent secretary of the Department of Health at the end of March, has been replaced by Sir Ian Carruthers as acting chief executive, and Hugh Taylor as acting permanent secretary.

Vaccination programme widened

All children under two will now be given pneumococcal vaccine as part of a series of changes to childhood immunisations. A booster dose of Hib vaccine is also being introduced, to be given at 12 months.

Other changes include providing the meningitis C vaccine at three and four months with a booster at 12 months (it is currently given at two, three and four months).

Guidelines for maternity services

New guidelines aim to inform practitioners, healthcare managers and  commissioners about how to improve local maternity services. The 'National Guidelines for Maternity Services Liaison Committees' include examples of good practice, self-assessment tools and guidance on establishing an effective committee.

Primary care mental health collaborative

GPs from 95 practices are taking part in a national programme to improve the care of adults with common mental health disorders. The programme, run by the National Primary Care Development Team, is designed to help patients receive care closer to home.

Participating primary care trusts (PCTs) are expected to share their experiences with local social services and voluntary sector partners as well as with other PCTs.

Management of medical devices

Practice teams can now use an online training programme devised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to update their knowledge about the safe use and management of medical devices.

The training, which also includes a free CD Rom, allows users to work at their own speed.

Choice of Scan to roll out to all imaging scans

From 30 April, patients facing long waits for imaging scans at their local hospital will have the option of going to an alternative provider to ensure they receive their scan within 20 weeks.

In the first phase of the Choice of Scan initiative, patients waiting longer than 20 weeks for an MRI or CT scan, and who did not have an appointment scheduled within 26 weeks, were offered scans at alternative providers within 26 weeks.

The initiative is now being extended to all diagnostic imaging scans, including ultrasound and DEXA, and will cover patients who have been waiting for 16 weeks and who do not have an appointment scheduled within 20 weeks.

Leaflets explain side effects

A leaflet designed to help patients make more informed decisions about their medicines is available from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Practice managers can order supplies of 'Taking Medicines - some questions & answers about side effects' by phoning the MHRA on 020 7084 2000.

Doctors encouraged to copy letters to patients

A new web-based learning resource has been produced to help health professionals keep patients better informed.

The 'Copying Letters to Patients Learning Resource' encourages doctors and NHS staff to copy letters to patients to help them understand their condition and treatment.

Support for those quitting smoking

The Department of Health anti-smoking advertising campaign, launched last month, has led to increased calls to the NHS smoking helpline and registrations for the Together programme. Between mid-November 2005 and mid-February 2006, more than 5,000 people signed up to Together, which offers support through information packs, text messages and phone calls.

In addition, 264,508 people set a quit date through NHS Stop Smoking Services between April and September last year. Of this number, 137,894 had quit four weeks later, 23 per cent more than in the same period in 2004.

Domestic violence guidance published

A new publication provides primary care professionals with up-to-date advice about dealing with women who are suffering domestic abuse.

'Responding to domestic abuse: A handbook for health professionals' is available on the Department of Health website, and a limited number of hard copies is available.

Safer management of controlled drugs

Practice teams can now access guidance about new monitoring and inspection arrangements for controlled drugs.

The guidance gives details of collaboration duties for health bodies and individuals working with controlled drugs, as well as explaining the new statutory role of accountable officers in relation to controlled drugs.

Changes to controlled drugs prescriptions

New guidance sets out changes in the way controlled drugs (CDs) are prescribed and dispensed.

Changes include the introduction of a new prescription form for private (non-NHS) prescriptions and a 28-day statutory restriction on the validity of CD prescriptions. PCTs will be responsible for monitoring CD prescribing activity.

Helping children cope with separation

GP practices can obtain a series of new 'Parenting Plans' leaflets and flyers designed to help parents assist their children in coping with divorce or separation.

Tackling violence against staff

The NHS Security Management Service (NHS SMS) is offering guidance and training about how to report and deal with violence against NHS staff.

The service is working to ensure that all frontline staff receive conflict resolution training by 2008, and is providing specific guidance for lone workers as well as general information about dealing with assaults.

Tips on domiciliary ventilators

In response to a number of adverse events, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued two pamphlets entitled 'Tips on Domiciliary Ventilators Used in Life Support'.

One sets out advice for healthcare professionals and the other is aimed at users and carers.

eGFR reporting - information for GPs

A new information pack provides guidance for GPs on the new method for calculating estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Following recommendations in 'The National Service Framework for Renal Services (part two)', the Department of Health now advises that, from 1 April, eGFR in adults should be calculated using the 4-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation.

Hard copies are also available by calling 08701 555 455 or by faxing 01623 757 369.

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