Website of the Department of Health

The figures show the NHS as a whole is forecasting a £94 million deficit, after the application of a £350m contingency established by SHAs. Although based on trends in previous years, the objective of net financial balance across the NHS as a whole remains deliverable, organisations still in deficit must continue making the difficult decisions needed to maintain services to patients whilst restoring financial balance. See:

3. Screening for sickle cell now offered to all newborns in England and new standards for clinical care of sickle cell diseases in childhood (Gateway reference number: 7325)

Screening for sickle cell disorders is now offered to all newborn babies in England as part of the Newborn Bloodspot Programme.

New guidelines and standards for the clinical care of children with sickle cell have been launched. See:

Health minister Rosie Winterton has launched the Our Choice in Mental Health document, a framework for providing choice in mental health. Simultaneously launched was the Mental Health NSF Autumn Assessment Themed Review 2005 Key Findings document. For more information visit the below website or contact the National Mental Health Choice and Access Team on 01206 287592

The letter from the CMO, CNO and CPO dated 12 July 2006 announced a revised childhood immunisation schedule, a catch-up campaign and specific payments for general practice. The associated payment procedures have now been incorporated into the GMS Statement of Financial Entitlements. The amendment is available at:

Chief executives are reminded that the NICE technology appraisal on computerised CBT was published in February 2006 with an implementation waiver of 12 months. This statutory period expires on 31 March 2007. PCTs will need to make this service available from that date. Further guidance to help implementation is at:

The NHS has been invited to review healthcare resource group (HRG) products that will be used to help the NHS implement HRG 4 for reference costs from 1 April 2007, and future projects to revise HRGs. See release on The Information Centre for Health & Social Care’s Casemix Service website:

This letter, addressed to Chief Executives of SHAs and PCTs, confirms the data that will be available to PCTs in June 2007 to measure accurately the dental activity carried out during the 2006/07 financial year and associated patient charge revenue.

Contact: Simon Hall, Tel: 020 7633 7908

See:

NHS’s main health advice and information website for patients and the public, was re-launched on 31 October 2006 with a fresh look and exciting new features, such as a Mind and body magazine containing news on current health issues and interactive health tools.

See: