Website of the Department of Health

Consultations and evaluations

1. Annual statement of fire safety 2006 (ROCR ID: ROCR/OR/0139/001 and Gateway reference number: 7522)

In support of compliance with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order which came into force on the 1st October 2006, DH Fire Safety Policy Firecode HTM 05-01, published July 2006, and legal ‘duty of care’ obligations. Chief executives of NHS Trusts, SHAs and Special Health Authorities are required to complete the above statement and return to the Information Centre by the 31 January 2007. See:

• Annual statement of fire safety 2006

2. Consultation on the amendments to the Compliance Framework (Gateway reference number: 7538)

Monitor has launched a consultation, outlining proposals to develop and enhance the effectiveness of the Compliance Framework for NHS foundation trusts. Proposals include improvements to the indicators used to derive annual and in-year financial risk ratings and asking foundation trusts to collect service-line financial information. The consultation is available at:

• Monitor publications (opens new window)

Publications

3. The Mental Health Bill 2006 (Gateway reference number: 7120)

This was introduced into the House of Lords on Thursday 16 November. Second Reading was on Tuesday 28 November. The Bill amends the Mental Health Act 1983. In addition, it introduces the Bournewood safeguards, by amending the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Further information, including summaries and easy reads can be found at:

• Mental Health Bill and related documents

4. PCTs - Enhancing performance guidance (Gateway reference number: 7549)

This document contains lessons learnt and good practices in enhancing performance within PCTs.  It provides useful reference material, in particular highlighting 'quick wins' and giving real life examples.  It has been compiled by the National Programme Office following workshops and meetings with and/or input from PCT senior management, GPs, SHA turnaround directors, and policy leads. See:

• Primary care trusts (PCTs) - Enhancing performance

5. Increasing utilisation of Choose and Book (Gateway reference number: 7541)

Chief executives are being made aware that Jane Cummings and Tom Denwood have written to directors of performance (DoPs) about a series of SHA based workshops to share experience and best practice and provide a platform which will enable SHAs and LHCs to significantly progress and increase utilisation of Choose and Book locally. Chief executives are asked to encourage attendance at these events. See:

• SHA workshops - increasing utilisation of Choose and Book

6. Income generation guidance on car parking charges (Gateway reference number: 7416)

Information on operating commercial car parking schemes on NHS sites as income generation activities has been updated and republished on the DH website.  This includes advice on what kind of car parking scheme to offer, what charges to impose and what concessions to consider. See:

• Income generation car parking charges best practice for implementation

7. New guidance for xenotransplantation procedures (Gateway reference number: 7345)

New guidance recommends that all xenotransplant procedures are carried out in a research context with appropriate approval from research ethics committee. For further information see:

• Xenotransplantation guidance

8. Choosing your hospital booklet (Gateway reference number: 7533)

Second editions of the Choosing your hospital booklets are now being published and are available via the Choosing your hospital search tool at NHS England website.

The National menu supplement to the local booklets is also available as a PDF download from the NHS England website.

For details please see the letter "Information regarding publication of local Choosing Your Hospital booklets and the National Menu Supplement"

• Choosing your hospital on the NHS website (opens new window)
• Information regarding publication of local Choosing Your Hospital booklets and the National Menu Supplement

9. ProCure21 delivers publicly funded NHS capital schemes (Gateway reference number: 7517)

Chief executives may be interested to know that these are at least six months quicker than traditional tender.  It also offers more control over cost, time and quality. ProCure21 has completed 140 schemes in 4 years.  See ProCure21 case studies and website for further information.

• NHS ProCure21 (opens new window)

10. Prison health escorts and bedwatches report (Gateway reference number: 7182)

This report recommends the transfer of responsibility and funding for the security costs associated with external healthcare visits to the NHS. This, and other recommendations, are currently under consideration within DH and the Home Office. See the report "A twelve-month study of prison healthcare escorts and bedwatches"

Contact: Fiona Pearson

• fiona.pearson@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)
• A twelve-month study of prison healthcare escorts and bedwatches

11. Better regulation and simplification (Gateway reference number 7543)

DH has published its Simplification Plan.  It sets out an ambitious rolling programme of actions to reduce burdens on the public and private sector, based on extensive consultation with stakeholders see:

If you have further suggestions for simplification of regulation please send to:

• simplification@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)
• Simplification plan

12. Smokefree England Campaign (Gateway reference number: 7545)

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has announced that virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces will become smokefree from 1 July 2007. The Smokefree England campaign will provide support and information to businesses, health workers and individuals to prepare for the legislation. For further information call 020 7492 0980 or visit:

• England to go smokefree 1 July 2007 (opens new window)

13. Equality and human rights in the NHS – A guide for NHS Boards (Gateway reference number: 7499)

This best practice guide sets out the collective and individual responsibilities of Boards and Board members under equality and human rights legislation, including guidance on how to comply with the law. See:

• Equality and human rights in the NHS: a guide for NHS boards

Conferences and events - i) what's new

14. Consultation events: Review of PCT Professional Executive Committees (Gateway reference number: 7544)

DH is facilitating a number of events in the New Year to give stakeholders the opportunity to input their views. Events will take place on:

4 January - North;

12 January - London;

18 January - Midlands.

If you are interested in attending, for further information please email:

• pecevents@pcc.nhs.uk (opens new window)

15. Care Matters: The next steps (Gateway reference number: 7556)

26 February 2007, Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London

Organised by the National Children's Bureau on behalf of the Inter-Agency Group, this flagship event brings together the leading national players working for children in care. See:

• National Childrens Bureau (opens new window)

Patient safety alerts

16. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2006/066 (Gateway reference number: 7525)

Lancing devices used in nursing homes and care homes This Medical Device Alert was issued on 6 December 2006 to NHS trust and social services for immediate action and update. Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency MDA/2006/066 (opens new window)

17. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2006/067 (Gateway reference number: 7558)

Suction tubing: Cory Brothers Ltd

Model number: MPC CST/50/6, batch number: 0606120, Box numbers 189 to 252 inclusive NHS Supply Chain code: FWP495

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 6 December 2006 to NHS trust for action. Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency MDA/2006/067 (opens new window)