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HR Directors Bulletin, Issue 89, July 2004

  • Last modified date:
    29 October 2008

Alerts HR directors to publications, circulars and announcements from the Department of Health. It is e-mailed to HR Directors every fortnight, usually on Wednesdays.

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Introduction

HR in the NHS Bulletin: This electronic fortnightly HR Bulletin is the major means of communication between the Department of Health's NHS HR Directorate and its stakeholders interested in HR and related issues in the NHS. It aims to communicate important information about implementing HR policy and practice. It is supplemented by 3 other main means of communication:

  • Quarterly HR in the NHS newsletter - shares good practice across the service
  • Quarterly HR in the NHS Briefing - shares information about policy development in the Department- Annual HR in the NHS conference - the annual HR conference

Comments about this bulletin

If you have any comments about this bulletin please send them to Sam Ash:

E-Mail details

If you would like to amend your email details please contact:

Web Details

This issue and previous issues of the HR in the NHS Bulletin can be seen at:

1. HR in the NHS Conference 2004

Having received several requests the HR in the NHS team have arranged for copies of a cd-rom containing the conference opening video, the "Good Ship NHS" video-clip used by Andrew Foster and the conference closing video to be available. Anyone who would like to receive a copy for their organisation should submit an email to hrinthenhs@doh.gsi.gov.uk. Please include in the email the full postal address of where the cd-rom should be sent.

2. National standards, local action: health and social care standards and planning framework 2005/06 - 2007/08

(Gateway reference 3553)

On 21st July 2004 the Department of Health published the document "National standards, local action" which sets out a standards-based planning framework for health and social care, and standards for planning, commissioning and delivering NHS services. It covers the core developmental standards for NHS healthcare and the health and social care planning framework, and targets for 2005-2008.

For further information contact the Performance and Delivery Team email:

3. NHS performance ratings

(Gateway reference 3522)

On 21 July 2004 the Healthcare Commission published the 2004 NHS performance ratings for acute, specialist, ambulance, mental health and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England, assessing performance in the year ending 31 March 2004.

For further information email:

4. Payment by Results Preparing for 2005: consultation outcome

(Gateway Reference 3417)

On 21st July 2004 the Department of Health published the document "Payment by Results Preparing for 2005 : consultation outcome". This document contains analysis of responses to the consultation, major themes, key issues identified and replies to the questions raised by respondents.

For further information contact the NHS Financial Reforms Team email:

5. Report on the reconfiguration of the Department of Health's Arms Length Bodies

(Gateway reference 3552)

On 22nd July 2004 the Department of Health published the document "Report on the reconfiguration of the Department of Health's Arms Length Bodies" which gives details of the new approach to and reconfiguration of Arms Length Bodies (ALBs). This report announces the number of ALBs will be reduced by 50%. An implementation plan setting out the more detailed picture, roles and responsibilities, budgets and headcounts will be finalised by the autumn. The review is expected to reduce the ALB overhead and the amount of time spent by frontline staff responding to ALB needs.

For further information contact Paul Macnaught, project team manager on 020 7210 4957 or e-mail:

6. The State of Healthcare report

(Gateway reference 3525)

On 8 July 2004 the Healthcare Commission published its first major report to Parliament on health care in England and Wales, providing an overview of health and health care, and a benchmark for the independent inspectorate's future work.

The report is available at:

Comments should be sent to:

7. NHS Dentistry: Delivering Change - Report by the Chief Dental Officer (England) July 2004

(Gateway reference 3497)

On 16th July 2004 the Department of Health published the report "NHS Dentistry: Delivering Change". This report by the chief dental officer sets out the vision for modernising dentistry. It focuses on greater access to NHS dentistry, improving oral health and reforming NHS dental services.

8. Organising and delivering psychological therapies: July 2004

(Gateway reference 3237)

On 22nd July 2004 the Department of Health published the report "Organising and delivering psychological therapies: July 2004". The report provides best practice guidance on effective psychological therapy services by highlighting issues of access, waiting times and how to improve care pathways. Based on work by a multi-disciplinary group under the chairmanship of Dr Jeremy Holmes for the NIMH(E) Workforce Programme, it contains examples of good practice, and a checklist that will be valuable to all those wanting to improve the quality and organisation of services. Put very simply: the aim is to help translate national policy into local action and support commissioners, providers, service users and researchers.

The report can be downloaded from the DH and NIMH(E) web sites or alternatively a limited number of hard copies are available from DH publications, PO Box 777 London SE1 6XH.

For further information about the NIMH(E) workforce programme contact John Allcock, Wellington House, 133 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UG Tel: 020 7972 4224 or email:

9. Events

i. Diversity, Development and Delivery - 15 September 2004

The Mental Health Training Forum in partnership with Trent NHS Workforce Development Confederation and NIMHE presents "Diversity, Development and Delivery", Collaboration within mental health training and education. This event is the fourth annual conference in the Mental Health Education and Training Series. The conference will examine the role of education and training as an essential bridge between research, policy and practice.

or contact the Customer Services Team on 0870 161 3505 or email:

10. Communications

i. Primary Care Contracting Update

The primary care contracting website has now been updated with the latest news stories.

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.

New MRSA figures published, 14 July 2004, press release 2004/0261.

Reforms with a bite, 16 July 2004, press release 2004/0265.

New moves to support refugee nurses and doctors, 19 July 2004, press release 2004/0266.

Reid announces new targets and standards to improve quality of care, 21 July 2004, press release 2004/0269.

Update on precautions to protect blood supply, 22 July 2004, press release 2004/0270.

Reid - Reducing NHS bureaucracy to release resources to the frontline, 22 July 2004, press release 2004/0271.

Carers (equal opportunities) Act receives royal assent, 22 July 2004, press release 2004/0272.

New figures show thousands more doctors and nurses, 23 July 2004, press release 2004/0276.

Reid announces support for more NHS Foundation Trusts, 26 July 2004, press release 2004/0280.

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