Website of the Department of Health

Consultations and evaluations

2. Consultation on the Future regulation of health and adult social care in England (Gateway reference number: 7377)

It confirms the merger of the HC/CSCI/MHAC and outlines the likely roles and functions required to regulate the reformed health and adult social care system. Consultation questions concern operational aspects of the regulatory framework. See:

• The future regulation of health and adult social care in England

3. Consultation on the code of practice for promotion of NHS services (Gateway reference number: 7431)

This document sets out the context within which providers may wish to consider promoting their services. It outlines proposals for a self-regulatory approach to promotion of NHS services, underpinned by a code of practice. See:

• The code of practice for promotion of NHS services

4. EU consultation on health services (Gateway reference number: 7463)

The Department of Health and the NHS Confederation are jointly consulting on the European Commission’s communication regarding community action on health services, which is a response to recent developments in European law and legislation.  The NHS Confederation is consulting with NHS stakeholders. The UK will submit its final response at the end of January 2007.

See consultation document at NHS Confederation website.

Further information contact John Rowan on 020 7972 4536.  Please send responses, by 15 December 2006, to:

• euconsultation@nhsconfed.org (opens new window)
• NHS European Office (opens new window)

5. The governance and management of extended schools and Sure Start children’s centres: discussion paper (Gateway reference number: 7434)

The Department of Education and Skills (DFES) have launched a consultation on the governance and management of extended schools and Sure Start children’s centres. The discussion paper includes information and advice on commissioning, governance, accountability, management and participation. DFES would particularly welcome comments from PCTs and other health colleagues. See Sure Start website. Send your comments, by 22 December 2006, to:

• managementandgovernance.guidance@dfes.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)
• Sure Start what's new (opens new window)

Publications

6. The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) publishes the Adults’ Performance Ratings for Social Services in England for 2006 (Gateway reference number: 7460)

The ratings can be found at Star ratings on the CSCI website.

Also published today, the performance assessment framework performance indicators (PAF Pis) for 2005-06 for adults' and children's social services. See PAF reports and data also on the CSCI website.

• Star ratings on the CSCI website (opens new window)
• Social Services Performance Assessment Framework Indicators, 2005-6 NS (opens new window)

7. Timetable requirements: Mandatory surveillance of MRSA bacteraemias (Gateway reference number: 7439)

The Chief Medical Officer’s and the Chief Nursing Officer’s letter of 30 March 2006 set out the timetable of requirements relating to data collection and checking of the MRSA returns. This  letter (MRSA data capture system: timetable for collection and publication) is a reminder that to prepare for quarterly publication, it is vital any queries relating to April – September 2006 are concluded by 16 December. Enquiries: email either

• email: reducingmrsa@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)
• Mandatory.surveillance@hpa.org.uk (opens new window)
• MRSA data capture system: timetable for collection and publication

8. Funding of Technology Appraisal Guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) (Gateway reference number: 7466)

The Department of Health has agreed to waive the 3 month direction for NICE Appraisal No 105, "Guidance on the use Laparoscopic Surgery for the treatment Colorectal Cancer." Details at:

• National Health Service Act 1977: Further Directions to Primary Care Trusts and NHS trusts in England concerning Arrangements for the Funding of Technology Appraisal Guidance from the National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE)

9. PCT (Childhood Immunisation Programme) Directions (Gateway reference number: 7402)

Sections 8A and 8B of the GMS Statement of Financial Entitlements introduced payments for pneumococcal and HiB/MenC booster vaccinations and for the pneumococcal catch-up campaign. These new directions cover the PCT's responsibility to introduce equivalent arrangements for those children not registered with GMS contractors. See:

• The Primary Care Trust (Childhood Immunisation Programme) Directions 2006

10. LASSL 2006(1) and 2006(2) – Adults’ personal social services: Distribution of SCE(R) single capital pot and mental health elements in 2007-08 (Gateway reference number: 7474)

These letters are issued to coincide with the overall Local Government Finance Settlement announced in Parliament on 28 November 2006. Please note that these letters update LASSL 2005(6) and 2005(7) by confirming the grant allocations for 2007-08.

LASSL (2006)1: Adults' personal social services (PSS): Specific revenue and capital grant allocations for 2007-08. Children's services: Child and adolescent mental health services grant allocations for 2007-08

LASSL (2006)2: Adults' personal social services (PSS): Distribution of SCE(R) single capital pot and mental health elements in 2007-08

• LASSL (2006)1: Adults' personal social services (PSS): Specific revenue and capital grant allocations for 2007-08. Children's services: Child and adolescent mental health services grant allocations for 2007-08
• LASSL (2006)2: Adults' personal social services (PSS): Distribution of SCE(R) single capital pot and mental health elements in 2007-08

11. National bowel cancer audit: Public and executive summary report 2006 (Gateway reference number: 7482)

The report makes audit information on quality of care accessible to patients. It is managed by the Information Centre for the Healthcare Commission. Participation in the audit will be used by the Healthcare Commission in their Annual Health Check; currently only 40% of trusts participate. See:

• The Information Centre national bowel cancer audit project (opens new window)

Conferences and events - i) what's new

12. No Delays Achiever – A live web conference, 6 December 2006 11.30-12 pm (Gateway reference number: 7473)

A free online tool created by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement that will help all NHS organisations to achieve the 18 week patient pathway.

Tool available at the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement website.

Web conference registration at the NHS Networks website.

• NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement - No Delays Achiever (opens new window)
• NHS Networks live web conference to introduce the NHS Institute’s ‘No Delays Achiever’ (opens new window)

Conference and events - ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

13. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2006/065 (Gateway reference number: 7475)

St Jude Medical pacemakers: Identity SR model 5172, Identity DR model 5370 and Identity XL DR model 5376. St Jude Medical programmers: APS III model 3500, APS III 3510 and Merlin PCS model 3650 This Medical Device Alert was issued on 23 November to NHS trust for action. Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2006/065 (opens new window)