Website of the Department of Health

1. Commissioning a Patient-led NHS Update (Gateway reference number: 6175 )

This is the latest in a regular series of updates on Commissioning a Patient-Led NHS. It is available at:

2. Changes to services being nationally commissioned by NSCAG in 2006/07 (Gateway reference number: 6166)

From April 2006, six services previously commissioned by PCTs will be commissioned by NSCAG. Further details on these changes see:

• Changes to the portfolio of nationally commissionned services from April 2006

3. Social care for deafblind people (Gateway reference number: 6143)

The circular LAC(2001) 8 will be cancelled on 28 February 2006. Though the Department will not be reissuing this document, councils are reminded that the principles of good practice the Guidance contains continue to be valid. See:

• LAC (2001)8: Social Care for Deafblind children and adults

Consultations and evaluations

4. Good corporate citizen self-assessment model (Gateway reference number: 6152)

Does your organisation behave as a good corporate citizen? A best practice web-based assessment model is now available to help NHS organisations develop in the areas of procurement, employment and skills, community engagement and partnership working, buildings, facilities management, and transport. See:

• Link to web-based model (opens new window)

Publications

5. Integrated Governance Handbook (Gateway reference 5947)

This Handbook is for NHS boards for their continued development towards good governance principles. 

Whilst this version is aimed primarily at NHS Trusts, PCTs may also find it useful.

The Handbook can be found at:

• Integrated governance handbook 2006

6. Publication of NOMS Five Year Strategy (Gateway reference number: 6080)

This strategy sets out the Home Secretary's vision of how NOMS will work to protect the public and reduce reoffending. It stresses the importance of moving prisoners' health into the mainstream, with Primary Care Trusts taking responsibility for prison health. See:

• the National Offender Management Service website (PDF document) (opens new window)

7. Access and Systems Capacity and Delayed Discharges Grants - 2006/07 and 2007/08 (Gateway reference 6073)

LAC (2006)2 provides background information and allocations by Local Authority for the above grants for the years 2006/07 and 2007/08. See:

• LAC (2006)2: Guidance on the Access And Systems Capacity Grant and the Delayed Discharges Grant For 2006/07 and 2007/08

8. Local Safeguarding Children Boards - guidance available (Gateway reference number: 6163)

From April 2006, Local Safeguarding Children Boards will put the current Area Child Protection Committees on a statutory footing. LSCBs role is to help agencies work effectively together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Membership includes NHS health organisations. Guidance available at:

• the Every Child Matters website (opens new window)

9. Sign up to the Spring edition of Your Life! magazine (Gateway reference number: 6164)

Your Life! magazine is targeted at women aged 18-35 from lower socio-economic groups, using localised content to help PCTs meet their specific public health targets.  For more information on the next edition of Your Life! contact Iain McJennett at Dr Foster on 07738 027196 or Jeff Collins on 020 7330 0409 or email:

• iain.mcjennett@drfoster.co.uk (opens new window)

Conferences and events - i) what's new

10. National Stroke Strategy Conference - 1 March 2006 (Gateway reference number: 6161)

Chief Executives are invited to a conference on developing a new national stroke strategy to reduce mortality and improve patient outcomes. This will contribute to reducing emergency bed days and lengths of stay. Further details available at:

• Stroke

Conferences and events - ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

11. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT - MDA/2006/007 (Gateway reference number: 6158)

The Medical House mhi-500 Insulin Jet needle free insulin delivery system

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 08 February 2006 to NHS trusts for action. Further information can be found at:

• www.mhra.gov.uk (opens new window)

12. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT - MDA/2006/008 (Gateway reference number: 6159)

Intersurgical Clear-Therm heat and moisture exchanging filter (HMEF) with Luer lock port and retainable cap: Model number 1841 - batch number 2051272, Model number 1841351 - batch number 2051082, Model number 1841012 - batch number 2051012

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 08 February 2006 to NHS trusts for immediate action. Further information can be found at:

• MHRA: MDA/2006/008 - Intersurgical Clear-Therm heat and moisture exchanging filter (HMEF) with Luer lock port and retainable cap (opens new window)