Website of the Department of Health

1. Commissioning a Patient-led NHS Update (Gateway reference number: 6298)

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

Consultations and evaluations

2. Special Collection & Healthcare Commission Annual Health Check 2005/06 (ROCR reference ROCR/05/034/FT6) (Gateway reference number: 6288)

As with previous years' ratings, additional information is required for the purpose of informing  assessment of NHS performance against targets. The Q4 special collection data returns are scheduled for submission to the Department in April 2006. 

Guidance will be shared with the NHS on 16 March 2006. Organisations need to be engaged in this process to ensure that their performance is accurately reflected in their final ratings. For queries about the special collection please email:

• pprteam@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)

or for queries relating to the targets email:
performance.indicators@
healthcarecommission.org.uk

• Email the Healthcare Commission (opens new window)

Publications

3. Dispensing Doctors (DDs) - VAT (Gateway reference number: 6260)

DDs registering for VAT after April 2006 following nGMS contract changes may be entitled to backdated VAT refunds from HMRC. PCTs should be aware that the Department has published guidance on potential consequences for DDs who make such claims.  All PCTs will receive further guidance should overpayment/recovery action be required. See:

• Dispensing Doctors/Contractors (DDs) and VAT Registration

4. NHS Continuing Healthcare: Action Following Grogan Judgment (Gateway reference number: 6258)

Guidance to all SHAs has been published following the judgment in the Judicial Review case Grogan vs. Bexley NHS Care Trust, to ensure that all local eligibility criteria and processes for NHS Continuing Healthcare are within the legal terms of this ruling. See:

• NHS continuing health care: Action following the Grogan judgment

5. Team Working, Handover & Escalation Pilots (Gateway reference number: 6279)

National Workforce Projects invite NHS organisations to submit bids for team working, handover and escalation pilots to support WTD 2009 compliance. Pilots should aim to reduce the intensity of doctors' workload by extending the scope of work carried out by teams. Specification available at:

• the Healthcare Workforce Projects website (opens new window)

6. Managing medication in a social care setting (Gateway reference number: 5978)

The Association for Real Change has published a series of packs to support trainers and staff to develop skills in managing medication in social care settings. Developed with partners across the sector the pack will promote the highest standards of service. See:

• the ARC website (opens new window)

7. Safer management of controlled drugs (Gateway reference number: 6077)

New best practice guidance on governance arrangements, including monitoring and inspection, and on changes to prescribing and dispensing controlled drugs. This guidance supports CEs in preparing for their new statutory responsibilities for controlled drugs arising in summer 2006. Contact Liz Dimond, Controlled Drugs Team, on 020 7972 5397. Please see:

• Controlled Drugs

8. Supporting women into the mainstream: Commissioning women-only community day services (Gateway reference number: 5357)

Contact Sarah Hill on 020 7307 2448 for further details. Please see:

• Supporting women into the mainstream: Commissioning women-only community day services

9. Direct payments for people with mental health problems: A guide to action (Gateway reference number: 5275)

Contact Sarah Hill on 020 7307 2448 for further details. Please see:

• Direct payments for people with mental health problems: A guide to action

10. Vocational services for people with severe mental health problems: Commissioning guidance (Gateway reference number: 5659)

Contact Sarah Hill on 020 7307 2448 for further details. Please see:

• Vocational services for people with severe mental health problems: Commissioning guidance

11. From segregation to inclusion: Commissioning guidance on day services for people with mental health problems (Gateway reference number: 5658)

Contact Sarah Hill on 020 7307 2448 for further details. Please see:

• From segregation to inclusion: Commissioning guidance on day services for people with mental health problems

12. Social Security Benefits from April 2006 for patient detained under sections 45A and 47 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (Gateway reference number: 6282)

This letter alerts chief executives to changes in social security benefit rules affecting certain patients detained under the Mental Health Act. It contains important information for mental health providers, PCT commissioners and social services authorities.

• Changes to benefit entitlements for patients transferred from prison to mental health units

Conferences and events - i) what's new

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Conferences and events - ii) places still available

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Patient safety alerts

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