Website of the Department of Health

2. Hospices Capital Grant Bids: Process for NHS support (Gateway Reference 7514)

In September 2006 the Department of Health launched a £40 million capital grants programme to improve the physical environment of hospices. Improvement projects proposed by hospices should fit with the local strategic plans for end of life and palliative care. CEs of SHA/PCTs will need to confirm their support in time for hospices to submit applications via the linked proforma, which hospices will complete for you to sign. See:

• Capital bid scheme for hospices

Consultations and evaluations

3. Learning for a Change in Healthcare (Gateway reference number: 7335)

The first report from Professor Bob Fryer on widening participation in learning in the NHS. Its aim is to stimulate discussion on how to improve learning opportunities for all across the service. Available electronically at:

• Widening Participation in Learning in the NHS website (opens new window)

Publications

4. Community Development Workers (CDW) for Black and Minority Ethnic Communities (Gateway reference number: 7387)

A final handbook has been published which provides an update on the new CDW Interim Milestone and provides answers to the issues that arose during the introduction and development of the CDW workforce. See:

• Mental health policy implementation guide: community development workers for black and minority ethnic communities: final handbook

5. Practice based commissioning: Practical implementation (Gateway reference number: 7444)

The direction of travel remains unchanged, but this guidance aims to strengthen clinical engagement and further embed service redesign. It also clarifies a number of important issues, such as governance and accountability, budget setting and procurement. 

The guidance is at "Practice based commissioning: practical implementation"

If you have any queries please contact the PBC implementation team on 020 7633 4095 or email:

• pbc@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)
• Practice based commissioning: practical implementation

6. Avoidable Deaths report (Gateway reference number: 7509)

The National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness has published its latest findings in the report, Avoidable Deaths. The report, a five year analysis of suicide and homicide by people with mental illness in England and Wales, highlights areas of clinical practice and service provision for improvement. Available at:

• National confidential inquiry into suicide and homicide by people with mental illness (opens new window)

7. Secondary Uses Service (SUS) Extract Mart (Gateway reference number: 7513)

This was rolled out to users on 6 December 2006. The release provides access to commissioning data sets, Payment by Results functionality, value added extracts, Service tracking and data quality reporting. Guidance is available to ensure a smooth transition from the NWCS ClearNET service. See:

• Connecting for Health: Secondary Uses Service (SUS) - What's New
  
  (opens new window)

8. Primary Care Dental Services: Data Validation Changes (Gateway reference number: 7504)

Improved validation of data submitted by dental contractors to the NHS Business Services Authority is being implemented this month. This note explains the improvements and outlines possible action for PCTs. Contact: Simon Hall, Tel: 020 7633 7908

See:

• Primary care dental services: data validation changes

9. New commissioning guidance for stroke services (Gateway reference number: 7418)

Today the Department of Health launches new guidance and a toolkit – ASSET(2) – to assist NHS commissioners modernise stroke services. ASSET(2) shows PCTs and GPs – using their own statistics – how better care will save money in the long run, reduce hospital bed days, and save lives. Contact: Mary Agnew, Tel: 020 7972 4814

See:

• Improving stroke services: a guide for commissioners

10. Payment by Results Data Assurance Framework (Gateway reference number: 7417)

The Department of Health has published an Audit Commission report on the proposed Payment by Results Data Assurance Framework for the National Health Service. The National Programme of Clinical Coding Audits in the NHS, recommended in the report, will be undertaken by the Commission from 2007/08.

Read the report at:

• Chief executive bulletin: Issue 347 1 7 December 2006 (opens new window)

11. Emergency access - clinical case for change (Gateway reference number: 7507)

Sir George Alberti, National Clinical Director for Emergency Care published a
report on the need to change how emergency care services are delivered to ensure
that patients get the best care in the right place. More at:

• Emergency access - clinical case for change: report by Sir George Alberti, the National Director for Emergency Access

12. Mending hearts and brains - clinical case for change (Gateway reference number: 7508)

Professor Roger Boyle, National Clinical Director for Heart Disease and Stroke, published a report on the need to change how heart and stroke services are delivered to ensure that patients get the best care in the right place. More at:

• Mending hearts and brains - clinical case for change: Report by Professor Roger Boyle, National Director for heart disease and stroke

Conferences and events - i) what's new

13. Dignity in Care events & Dignity in Care Network (Gateway reference number: 7515)

The Minister for Care Services, Ivan Lewis MP, writes to Local Authorities and key NHS & Social Care organisations today inviting them to attend two regional events on Dignity in Care and to consider joining a Dignity in Care network of champions. Registration for the first event is up until 20 December 2006. See link to letter and registration instructions at:

• Dignity in care - invitation to attend regional events

Conference and events - ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

No news this week