Website of the Department of Health

Consultations and evaluations

1. Research and development (R&D) data collection exercise (ROCR & Gateway reference number: ROCR/06/042 & 8025)

Professor Sally C Davies’ letter of 4 April 2007 gives notice of a R&D web-based data collection exercise to identify patient care monies used to fund staff time spent on research. The exercise requires completion by all NHS Trusts and PCTs by 25 May 2007

• Notice of a May 2007 data collection exercise to identify patient care monies used to fund staff time spent on research

2. Nursing and other health professions’ review body (NOHPRB) workforce survey (ROCR & Gateway reference number: ROCR-lite/0R/0197 & 8023)

The nursing and other health professions’ review body asks NHS Trust chief executives to assist with its 2007 Workforce Survey. This annual independent survey seeks information on staff turnover to help inform recommendations to the Government on the pay of staffing groups.

• Review Body for Nursing and Other Health Professions (opens new window)

3. The second national head and neck cancer audit (Gateway reference number: 8111)

Published by the Information Centre, it reports on the treatment of over 1,400 people in England. Care of cancer patients could be improved if more were done to improve record keeping, as one quarter of patients with mouth and throat cancer are not recorded at multi-disciplinary team meetings. See:

• National Clinical Audit Support Programme: National Head and Neck Cancer (DAHNO) Audit Reports (opens new window)

Publications

4. NHS choices (Gateway reference number: 8107)

Secretary of State for Health Patricia Hewitt announced NHS choices - a new information service due to be launched this summer. For more information see an introductory letter from NHS Chief Executive David Nicholson, Chief Medical Officer Liam Donaldson and Permanent Secretary Hugh Taylor and a detailed brief about what the service will offer. Letter and brief:

• NHS Choices

5. Learning and development toolkit for the mental health workforce (Gateway reference number: 7936)

This best practice toolkit for the mental health workforce across health and social care sets out the current learning and development issues for mental health; the priorities local health and social care organisations may wish to consider in developing their own learning and development strategies; and future learning and development issues.

Contact details:

• john.allcock@doh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)
• Mental health policy implementation guide: a learning and development toolkit for the whole of the mental health workforce across both health and social care

6. Guidance on payment by results data assurance framework (Gateway reference number: 8117)

The Audit Commission have issued initial summary guidance and FAQs on the payment by results data assurance framework for PCTs and trusts which is being carried out for the first time in 2007/08. See the guidance and more information about the data assurance framework at:

• Audit Commission: Payment by results data assurance framework (opens new window)

7. S11 guidance on making arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children (Gateway reference number: 8071)

The S11 guidance is statutory guidance for chief executives and senior managers in all the bodies named under section 11 (1) of the Children Act 2004. The guidance has been revised to update the content to reflect Working Together to Safeguard Children. The revised S11 guidance does not include any substantially new changes in safeguarding policy.  See

• Every Child Matters: Change for Children - Safeguarding children (opens new window)

Conferences and events - i) what's new

8. Boards reducing MRSA - implementing the Code of Practice to reduce healthcare associated infections (Gateway reference number: 8118)

Boards have a major contribution to make to ensure high quality and safety. Ensuring healthcare associated infections are minimised is central to this contribution. These training events will enable senior managers/clinicians to understand their role to implementing the Code and reducing rates of MRSA. Monday 23 April in Manchester and Thursday 3 May in London. See:

• The NHS Confederation - Boards reducing HCAI (opens new window)

Conference and events - ii) places still available

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Patient safety alerts

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