Website of the Department of Health

1. Research questionnaire connected to the current review of the NHS pension scheme (Gateway reference 3639)

During August, 10,000 employees in England and Wales will receive a research questionnaire connected to the current review of the NHS pension scheme being led by the NHS Confederation, in partnership with NHS trade unions. The review aims to ensure the scheme meets the needs of a modern NHS and its staff, by making benefits more appropriate for today's workforce.

The research, supported by employer and staff side representatives, will assist in the development of final proposals expected in the autumn of this year. To ensure the survey is wholly representative, a sample of employers will be selected based on geography, size and organisation type and from these organisations, a specific number of employees from all the main career groups will be randomly selected and surveyed. Employers will be asked to distribute the questionnaires to a selected number of employees within specified career groups. Employers will be provided with guidance notes to assist them with this task.

The review team partners encourage people to actively take part in the survey project. It is an extremely valuable part of the review and allows employees the opportunity to help shape the future of the NHS pension scheme.

Further information can be found on the NHS Confederation website, or contact Caroline Robson by email.

• The NHS Confederation (opens new window)
• caroline.robson@nhsconfed.org (opens new window)

2. Non-Medical Workforce Census - September 2004 (ROCR/OR/ 0086/004 and ROCR/OR/ 0086/005)

This is to notify all Directors of HR of the September 2004 Non-Medical Workforce Census. Data is required from all NHS organisations. This collection has been approved by the Review of Central Returns Steering Committee (ROCR). The Census information is required as at the 30 September 2004 and should be returned by Wednesday 10 November 2004 at the latest. Information will be distributed to the list of NHS contacts held by the Statistics Workforce Team, in the middle of August. The Department of Health requires this information for monitoring the NHS as it is undergoing constant and rapid change. It will monitor the requirements set out in the Priorities and Planning Framework 2003-2006. For example, to count the number of nurses, therapists and scientists employed by the NHS to help ensure the targets are met.

For further information, advice, clarification, or to discuss any difficulties please contact Judith Ellison on 0113 254 6606 or email:

• Non-Medi-Workforce-Census@doh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)

3. Commencement of primary care trusts as responsible authorities: Department of Health & Home Office guidance (Gateway reference 3191)

From 30 April 2004, Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in England became responsible authorities within crime and disorder partnerships under section 5(1) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, as amended by the Police Reform Act 2002.

A guidance document, published on 3 August 2004 by the Department of Health and the Home Office, was developed to support PCTs in meeting their new statutory requirements. It explains how the new duty should be applied, how this links to NHS priorities and plans and gives examples of joint work.

For the guidance check the email below Guidance for partnerships and primary care trusts (PCTs)

For further information please contact Helen Clark, Tel: 020 7972 5836, email: helen.clark@doh.gsi.gov.uk

• Guidance for partnerships and primary care trusts (PCTs): Commencement of PCTs as responsible authorities from 30 April 2004
• helen.clark@doh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)

4. National Health Service Act 1977 - Strategic health authorities and GP registrar (amendment) directions 2004 (Gateway reference 3627)

The direction amendment, published by the Department of Health on 8 July 2004 authorises the payment of the revised pay rates for GP Registrars with effect from 1 April 2004

Direction amendment: see the link below National Health Service Act 1977

For further information please contact Mike Beattie, 0113 254 5711 or email mike.beattie@doh.gsi.gov.uk

• National Health Service Act 1977 - Strategic health authorities and GP registrar (amendment) directions 2004
• mike.beattie@doh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)

5. Regulation of dentists and Professionals Complementary to Dentistry - proposals for the reform of statutory regulation (Gateway reference 3386)

On 30 July 2004, the Department of Health published proposals for the reform of the statutory regulation of dentists and Professionals Complementary to Dentistry. A full public consultation on the proposals will run until 30 October 2004.

Further details, including the consultation document see the link below Consultations.

HR Directors are asked to ensure awareness of this consultation within their organisation.

For further information please contact Becky Tiffin on 0113 254 5531 or email GDCOrder@doh.gsi.gov.uk

• Live consultations
• GDCOrder@doh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)

6. Managing Complaints for Service Improvement (Gateway reference 3668)

The 2004 Ombudsman's Report stated effective complaints management depends as much on leadership, culture and staff competence as on process and systems. Wide-reaching changes to regulations will follow the Shipman Enquiry report and trusts' attitudes to complaints must be seen to be patient-centred, accessible and responsive. The changes will lead to more challenging roles for complaints managers, requiring more rigorous investigation and reporting systems.

NHSU has developed the Managing Complaints for Service Improvement programme, which will help ensure all health care staff involved with complaints or service improvement are equipped to cope with these changes. By influencing service improvement, the programme allows participants to develop a wide range of competencies that are applicable to a number of areas of their work and personal lives, provides good value for money, helps improve local resolution and meet the expectations of members of the public when they have legitimate reasons to complain, assists patient, public and community involvement initiatives. The programme offers a competency matrix that can be used as a tool for Agenda for Change.

Managing Complaints for Service Improvement will roll out in trusts throughout England from October.

7. Nurse Leadership and Older People's Services Publication (Gateway reference 3190)

In June 2004, the results of a joint NHS Leadership Centre and DH programme that developed the leadership skills and capabilities of nurses working with older people were published. The publication, "Older People's Services Consultant Nurse and Modern Matron accelerated leadership development programme", identifies the objectives and outcomes of an accelerated leadership development programme and features examples of collaborative projects undertaken by programme participants.

The Older People's Services Consultant Nurse and Modern Matron Accelerated Leadership programme was run during 2003 for nurses in key positions within services for older people in order to facilitate their development and maximise their potential within their roles. The programme acknowledges the important role nurses play in improving the patient experience, particularly for older people.

The purpose of this publication is to provide information on programme content and structures which others may wish to use as a model for development, and to share learning and the outcomes from projects to support and spread better practice. The publication identifies projects that could be shared amongst peers as examples of good practice.

Hard copies of the Older People's Services Consultant Nurse and Modern Matron Accelerated Leadership publication, ref.34380 can be obtained from dh@prolog.uk.com or tel. 08701 555 455

For further information please contact Caroline Barsby-Smith, tel. 0114 271 4120

• dh@prolog.uk.com (opens new window)

8. South Africa time-limited placement opportunities (Gateway reference 3582)

It is now nine months since the government of South Africa and the government of the United Kingdom agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focussing on the reciprocal educational exchange of Healthcare concepts and personnel.

The MOU covers a wide range of areas with a view to sharing and disseminating best practice. It also offers the opportunity for Nationals from both the UK and South Africa to benefit from time-limited placements in each other's country. It is anticipated that this MOU will be of mutual benefit to both countries. The MOU will create trans-cultural opportunities for clinical personnel and healthcare managers. If successful, applicants will be paid at local, South African, rates.

For further information or to express an interest in time-limited placements in rural areas of South Africa including young retirees, contact Janet Kotze, 1st Secretary Political, South African High Commission, via email j.kotze@southafricahouse.com or Dr Kamy Chetty, Deputy Director General, South African Department of Health via email chettyk@health.gov.za

• j.kotze@southafricahouse.com (opens new window)
• chettyk@health.gov.za (opens new window)

9. Events

i. New Ways of Working in Surgery National Conference - 8 September 2004 (Gateway reference 3669)

This conference, to be held at the QEII Conference Centre, London SW1P 3EE, will give an overview of the progress made within the Modernisation Agency New Ways of Working in Surgery pilots and progress that has been made with the developments required to underpin these roles - the national curriculum and regulation. The conference will be informative for Chief Executive, HR Directors, Managers in Surgery, SHA /WDC/PCT staff, Modernisation Leads, Clinical Staff in Surgery and Members of Stakeholder Colleges and Associations. Please note that attendance at this event is offered free of charge to delegates.

For further information please contact: Helen Brownridge 020 7061 6733 or email:

• helen.brownridge@doh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)

ii. HR Capacity Masterclass - Organisational Development - 28 September 2004 (Gateway reference 3634)

The next in the series of free masterclasses organised by the HR Capacity Unit will take place on 28th September at the Thistle Victoria Hotel in London. This one-day interactive session led by Dr Mee Yan Cheung-Judge from Roffey Park will be ideal for senior HR practitioners or their deputies and will build on the session run at the HR in the NHS conference. It will highlight the roles and competencies required in OD, covering:

With more than 20 years of experience in Organisational Development (OD), Dr Mee-Yan Cheung-Judge of Roffey Park has helped over 300 clients across the private and public sectors with major change programmes, senior management coaching, equal opportunities issues and organisation design and development.

If you are interested in attending this event, contact Sophia Beyer or Charlotte Firth by email Sophia.Beyer@doh.gsi.gov.uk or Charlotte.Firth@doh.gsi.gov.uk at your earliest opportunity, as places are limited. If you have queries please phone Sophia on 0113 254 5944 or Charlotte on 0113 254 6179

• Sophia.Beyer@doh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)
• Charlotte.Firth@doh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)

10. Communications

i. Primary Care Contracting Update

The primary care contracting website has now been updated with the latest news stories. To visit the site direct go to:

• Primary care contracting (opens new window)

ii. Electronic Staff Record (ESR) Newsletter - August Edition

The latest edition of ESR News is available on the ESR website, providing an update on project progress.

For further information please contact esrcommunications@mckesson.co.uk

• esrcommunications@mckesson.co.uk (opens new window)

11. Press Releases

All Department of Health press releases are published on the Department's web site under 'Publications and Statistics' and then the sub heading 'Press releases'. Below we include some that may be of HR interest.

Chief medical officer publishes annual report, 28 July 2004, press release 2004/0284

£100 million cash boost for GP surgeries, 29 July 2004, press release 2004/0286

New advice issued on the use of mobile phones in hospitals, 29 July 2004, press release 2004/0287

Publication of revised guidance for health professionals on the provision of contraceptive services for under 16s, 30 July 2004, press release 2004/0290

Gene therapy trial for cancer patients given go ahead, 2 August 2004, press release 2004/0291

Simpler, slimmed down standards to reduce burden on staff and strengthen risk management at a local level, 2 August 2004, press release 2004/0293

New National Pathology Modernisation Group announced, 2 August 2004, press release 2004/0297

Health minister and chief nursing officer launch report on nursing and midwifery services for children, 3 August 2004, press release 2004/0296

Funding boost for medical school research, 4 August 2004, press release 2004/0298

Hutton announces more NHS Walk-in Centres, 6 August 2004, press release 2004/0301

Improvements to childhood immunisation programme, 9 August 2004, press release 2004/0302

• Press releases
• Chief medical officer publishes annual report
• £100 million cash boost for GP surgeries
• New National Pathology Modernisation Group announced
• Publication of revised guidance for health professionals on the provision of contraceptive services for under 16s
• Gene therapy trial for cancer patients given go ahead
• Simpler, slimmed down standards to reduce burden on staff and strengthen risk management at a local level
• New National Pathology Modernisation Group announced
• Health minister and chief nursing officer launch report on nursing and midwifery services for children
• Funding boost for medical school research
• Hutton announces more NHS Walk-in Centres
• Improvements to childhood immunisation programme