Website of the Department of Health

Consultations and Evaluations

2.  NHS Pharmaceutical Services (Gateway reference number: 7660)

The Department is consulting on proposals to implement provisions of the Health Act 2006 on charges for pharmaceutical applications and the scale of fees payable. Consultation ends on Friday 11 May 2007. Comments can be sent to Gillian Farnfield, Room 453D, Skipton House, 80 London Road, London SE1 6LH.

See:

• Implementation of the Health Act 2006: Fees for applications to provide NHS pharmaceutical services in England

3.  National healthcare associated infection prevalence survey (Gateway reference number 7871)

Please note that if you participated in this survey, the Hospital Infection Society will shortly be providing your trust with an individual password to access your own data on a secure website.  We are alerting DIPCs, medical directors, directors of nursing and microbiology laboratories of this development separately.

Publications

4. New independent mental capacity advocacy service from April 2007 (Gateway reference number 7890)

Chief executives will wish to be aware of the linked guidance on the new independent mental capacity advocacy service, in England, and the new criminal offence in England and Wales that are introduced by the Mental Capacity Act from April 2007 and the planned implementation of the whole act by October 2007. See:

• Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy service from April 2007

5.  Implementing agenda for change for contracted-out soft facilities management staff (Gateway reference number: 7829)

See letter from Nic Greenfield, Director of Workforce Policy, highlighting a new best practice guide for implementing agenda for change for contracted-out soft facilities management staff at:

• Implementing Agenda for Change for contracted out soft facilities management staff

6.  Coding for success: Simple technology for safer patient care (Gateway Reference number: 7763)

Chief executives will wish to be aware of this best practice guidance which describes how barcoding and similar auto-identification technologies can be used to increase patient safety, save costs, and improve efficiency. Common coding standards are recommended, and a recommended plan of action is provided to support both NHS and industry in the uptake and development of this technology. See

• Patient safety key documents

7.  NHS strategic tracing service (NSTS) closure (Gateway reference number: 7874)

Chief executives are requested to provide an NSTS Closure lead for their organisation by 7 March 2007.  NSTS is being replaced by the NHS Care Records Service and the lead will be responsible for implementing replacement systems to ensure business continuity. Further information and the nomination form can be found at

• NHS Connecting for Health - NSTS Closure (opens new window)

8.  Lord Crisp’s new report for the Prime Minister (Gateway reference number: 7895)

Global Health Partnerships sets out how UK experience and expertise in delivering health services can be used to support the developing world.  It recognises the mutual benefit of NHS staff working with overseas colleagues, gives examples of individual and organisational partnerships, and makes recommendations for strategic coordination of NHS support. See

• Global health partnerships: the UK contribution to health in developing countries

Conferences and events - i) what's new

9. Building Partnerships for Quality and Safety. Friday 13 April, QE11 Conference Centre (Gateway reference number: 7899)

The NHS Institute invites medical and non-medical leaders, such as a chief executive with a medical director, to attend a free conference on Friday 13 April 2007 at QE11 Conference, to develop plans to improve partnership working in their organisations. Visit the NHS Institute website or the registration page. See:

• NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement - registration (opens new window)

Conference and events - ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

10. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/017 (Gateway reference number: 7892)

Device: External defibrillator: Welch Allyn, model PIC 50. This Medical Device Alert was issued on 14 February 2007 to NHS trust for action and update.

Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/017 (opens new window)

11.  MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/018 (Gateway reference number: 7893)

Device: Patient vital signs monitor: Draeger Infinity monitor with Infinity docking station (IDS).
This Medical Device Alert was issued on 14 February 2007 to NHS trust for immediate action.

Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/018 (opens new window)

12.  MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/019 (Gateway reference number: 7894)

Device: Grasping forceps – Conmed DetachaTip® endoscope multiple use grasper and disposable hand held graspers and dissectors (ratcheted and non-ratcheted). This Medical Device Alert was issued on 19 February 2007 to NHS trust for action.

Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/019 (opens new window)