Website of the Department of Health

Consultations and Evaluations

1. Proposed changes to residential care charges from 9 April 2007 (Gateway reference number: 7699)

The Department of Health published a consultation paper on 18 January 2007 advising all interested parties of proposed changes to the system for residential care charges to be made on 9 April 2007. The deadline for comments on the proposed changes is 28 February 2007.

Key stakeholders were informed of the proposals on the day the consultation paper went on the DH website. Chief executives are asked to ensure that others with an interest in their organisations are made aware of the proposals. The consultation paper is available at:

• Proposed changes to residential care charges from April 2007 - A consultation

2. Survey on the abuse of vulnerable adults (Gateway reference number: 7747)

Directors of adult social services are invited to arrange for completion of a survey to help The Information Centre (IC) for health and social care establish basic facts about services dealing with abuse of vulnerable adults. This will help inform the IC whether a future national collection is desirable and feasible. For further information see:

• The Information Centre - Survey on the Abuse of Vulnerable Adults (opens new window)

3. NHS bowel cancer screening programme (Gateway reference number: 7744)

Advice to the service for bids to participate in wave 2 of the NHS bowel cancer screening programme can be found at:

• The Bowel Cancer Screening Programme website (opens new window)

Publications

4. First smokefree regulations (Gateway reference number: 7731)

The first set of smokefree regulations under the Health Act 2006 were made in December that set out (a) definitions of "enclosed" and "substantially enclosed", and (b) enforcement authorities. With these regulations made, local authorities may see new planning and licensing applications lodged. For up-to-date information see:

• Smokefree England (opens new window)

5. Funding for local authorities to improve the physical environment of care homes (Gateway Reference number: 7465)

In November 2006 the Department of Health launched a £68 million capital grants programme to improve the physical environment of care homes for older people. This local authority circular sets out the background to the funding, the process to be followed and a breakdown by local authority.  For further information visit:

• LAC (2006)16: Capital grant for improving the care home environment for older people 2007-2008

Conferences and events - i) what's new

6. HRG4 (Healthcare resource groups) reference cost roadshows (Gateway reference number: 7746)

Chief executives will wish to be aware of one-day roadshows to help NHS organisations in England prepare for the introduction of HRG4 - the new set of procedure classifications that will be used to submit 2006/07 reference costs.  For more information and to book a place see: 

• The Information Centre - casemix service (opens new window)

7. Workshop on employer-based (local) clinical excellence awards (CEA) (Gateway reference number: 7754)

Applications are invited from chief executives, managers, committee chairs, consultants and others associated with CEA committees to attend this important workshop. Invitations will be sent to ensure a cross-section of delegates. The workshop will be held in Manchester on 2 March 2007 at 2pm.  Applications by 15 February 2007 to:

• Lac.reports@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)

Conference and events - ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

8. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT MDA/2007/003 (Gateway reference number: 7750)

Device:  Ferno Falcon Six and Hawk Six ambulance stretcher trolleys.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 10 January 2007 to NHS trust for action.
Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/003 (opens new window)

9. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/004 (Gateway reference number: 7751)

Device: Vygon (UK) Ltd paediatric IV bacterial filter with extension line. Product code: 0807.205 (NHS Supply Chain code: FTC215). Batch numbers: 050805AA, 020905AA, 160905AA, 180205AA, 030605AA and 180705AA.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 16 January 2007 to NHS trust for action.
Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/004 (opens new window)

10. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/005 (Gateway reference number: 7752)

Device: Inditherm OTM1, OTM2, GTM1, RB1 & OTB1 operating theatre blankets and mattresses, used for maintaining patients’ body  temperature.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 17 January 2007 to NHS trust for immediate action.
Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/005 (opens new window)

11. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/006 (Gateway reference number: 7753)

Device: Chest drain.  Portex chest drainage system with adjustable straw. Product code 200/870/000, lot number 489962. Manufactured by Smiths Medical.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 22 January 2007 to NHS trust for action.
Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/006 (opens new window)