Website of the Department of Health

1. Commissioning a Patient-led NHS Update (Gateway reference number: 6225)

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

Consultations and evaluations

2. Biannual Census of Diagnostics Waiting Times - New Data Collection (ROCR/OR/0168) (Gateway reference number 6211)

To support delivery of the 18-week patient pathway, the Department of Health is conducting a census of diagnostics waiting times at end February 2006. All trusts that provide any diagnostics should complete a return by 4 April 2006. Further information:

• the 18 Weeks website (opens new window)

or email:

• MB-PPRT-Diagnostics@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)

Publications

3. NICE Guidance: Computerised cognitive behaviour therapy (CCBT) for anxiety and depression (Gateway reference 6200)

The funding direction for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance on the above has been amended so that the NHS now has 12 months to make the funding available for all patients who are treated in line with this guidance. See:

• Further Directions to primary care trusts and NHS trusts in England concerning arrangements for the funding of technology appraisal guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) 2006

4. Establishing the Responsible Commissioner (England): Draft (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (Gateway reference number: 6145)

This document  summarises responses to the consultation; and sets out how introduction of the new regulations will affect commissioning practice.

• Consultation on the Draft National Health Service (Functions of Strategic Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts and Administration Arrangements) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2005: Summary of responses

5. Supporting people with long term conditions to self care - A guide to developing local strategies and good practice (Gateway reference number: 5411)

NHS and social care organisations are being helped to support millions of people with long term conditions take care of their health better and stay out of hospital, in a new guide to help further support NHS and social care staff in promoting self care amongst their patients.

• Supporting people with long term conditions to self care: A guide to developing local strategies and good practice

6. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) - Serious Patient Safety Incidents (Gateway reference number 5499)

To help ensure that investigations into serious patient safety incidents are conducted in a consistent and well-coordinated manner that leads to effective learning was launched by Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, John Broughton, Assistant Chief Constable, Essex Police and Sandra Caldwell, Director of Field Operations at the HSE.

• Memorandum of understanding: Investigating patient safety incidents involving unexpected death or serious untoward harm

7. 18 weeks - Pioneers announced (Gateway reference number 6214)

Ministers this week announced eight Pioneers, which will help the NHS to deliver a maximum wait of 18 weeks from referral to start of treatment by December 2008. The pioneers will develop short-term tactical solutions to measure the entire patient pathway. Further information Visit:

• the 18 Weeks website (opens new window)

8. Payment by Results - website (Gateway reference 6190)

Now contains the first newsletter reporting on the progress of the independent national evaluation of the implementation of Payment by Results, being carried out by the University of Aberdeen; a report from the University of York on demand management initiatives in South Yorkshire, and PbR 2006/07 Frequently Asked Questions.

• Payment by results

9. Agreement on Changes to the General Medical Services Contract (Gateway Reference 6210)

David Colin-Thomé, National Clinical Director for Primary Care, has written to GPs (via PCTs) about the rewards in the new GMS contract for delivering Choice to patients, using the Choose and Book service and Practice Based Commissioning.  See:

• Agreement on changes to the general medical services contract

Conferences and events - i) what's new

10. Working time directive 2009 - Transforming Care Delivery conference - 4th April 2006 (Gateway Reference 6204)

This conference will provide delegates with a comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge of WTD 2009 and is open to Chief Executives, HR directors, medical directors from trusts and SHAs. Registration is available on-line at:

• the Healthcareworkforce portal (opens new window)

Conferences and events - ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

11. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT - MDA/2006/009 (Gateway reference number 6025)

Toshiba ultrasound scanner - Aplio 50, Aplio 80 and Xario

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 14 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/2006/010 (Gateway reference number 6026)

Baxter Colleague volumetric infusion pumps: all models.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 15 February 2006 to NHS trusts for immediate action. Further information can be found at:

• www.mhra.gov.uk (opens new window)