Website of the Department of Health

1. Commissioning a Patient-led NHS Update

(Gateway reference number: 6321)

This is the latest in a regular series of updates on Commissioning a Patient-Led NHS

• Queries may be addressed to mb-cplnhs@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)

2. Safeguarding of Vulnerable Groups Bill published

(Gateway reference number: 6115)

This legislation to establish a centralised vetting and barring system for people working with children and vulnerable adults, was published on 1 March.  Funding advice in relation to implementation of the new vetting and barring scheme will be clarified in due course. More information at:

• Bichard Vetting and Barring Scheme

3. New portal developed to coordinate inspection as eleven more organisations join the Concordat

(Gateway reference number: 6315)

Twenty bodies involved in healthcare regulation will, on Monday 20 March 2006, launch new measures to reduce the burden of regulation on NHS and independent sector healthcare providers, as part of the Concordat which aims to help inspectorates coordinate activity.

A web portal on the Healthcare Concordat website (www.concordat.org.uk) will enable regulators to schedule visits. This shows which healthcare providers are being inspected, when and by whom, and will enable regulators to see potential overlap of inspection activity.

• Healthcare Concordat (opens new window)

Providers can raise concerns through the

• Concordat e-hotline (opens new window)

Consultations and evaluations

4. Consultation on Mental Capacity Act 2005 draft Code of Practice

(Gateway reference number: 5249)

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 is due to come into effect in April 2007. A consultation on its draft Code of Practice commenced on 9 March 2006. The deadline for responses is 2 June 2006.  

The consultation document is available at:

• Department for Constitutional Affairs: Mental capacity (opens new window)

5. Implementation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005

(Gateway reference number: 6303)

DH is working with the Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP) to implement the Act from April 2007. Adult Directors of Services are invited to nominate a contact for this work. For further information about the Act and its implementation see:

• The Mental Capacity Act 2005: Nomination of a local area contact

6. Sexual orientation discrimination

(Gateway reference number: 6099)

The Government is consulting on the proposed approach for prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the provision of goods, facilities and services. The consultation closes on 5 June 2006. Regulations will take effect in October 2006. See:

• Sexual Orientation Discrimination (opens new window)

7. Reforming the social services complaints procedure

(Gateway reference number: 6313)

Following consultation with stakeholders, including the ADSS and local authority Complaints Managers, the regulations and guidance for the new social services complaints procedures for adults and children will now be issued in April 2006, for implementation by local authorities from 1 July 2006. 

More information from Jon Stanley (DH) 0113 254 5815 or Lucy Andrew (DfES) 020 7925 5080.

Publications

8. LAC (2006)4: Social Services National Training Strategy Grant and Human Resources Development Strategy Grant for 06-07 and 07-08 and the Grant Determinations

(Gateway reference number: 6251)

The above circular provides guidance on social care workforce development grants and can be found at:

• LAC (2006)4: Social Services National Training Strategy (NTS) Grant and Human Resources Development Strategy (HRDS) Grant 2006/2007 and 2007/2008
• Any enquiries to NTS-HRDSgrantEnquiries@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)

9. Commissioning of in-patient treatment and residential rehabilitation drug and alcohol services

(Gateway reference number: 6253)

An initial guide for all commissioners, including those within Primary Care Trusts, can be found at:

• Initial guide for the commissioning of in-patient and residential rehabilitation drug and alcohol treatment interventions as part of treatment systems

10. Performance improvement resource published

(Gateway reference number: 6261)

Preventing and addressing declining organisational performance is a core responsibility for NHS boards, clinicians and managers. Led by Neil Goodwin, Chief Executive of Greater Manchester SHA, this resource combines experience and research to support NHS leaders to identify early, and act upon, signs of declining performance. See:

• Recognising, understanding and addressing performance problems in healthcare organisations providing care to NHS patients

11. Guidance for Phase 2 of Choice of Scan

(Gateway reference number: 6316)

From 30 April 2006, Phase 2 of Choice of Scan covers patients waiting for diagnostic imaging tests. This includes radiology departments and other clinical specialities (such as cardiology and urology).

For the full guidance and a presentation to support local briefing, please see: 

• 18 weeks imaging policy (opens new window)

12. Copying Letters to Patients Learning Resource

(Gateway reference number: 6041)

Having copies of letters written about their own care and treatment is key to empowering patients to share decisions and make health choices.  A new resource offers practical tips for implementing this NHS Plan commitment and supports guidance issued in 2004.

More information at

• Copying Letters to Patients Learning Resource

Conferences and events

No news this week.

Patient safety alerts

12. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT - MDA/2006/015

(Gateway reference number: 6306)

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 7 March 2006 to NHS trusts and Social services for action. Further information can be found at:

• MDA/2006/015 Ferno Flacon Six ambulance stretcher trolleys (opens new window)

13. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT - MDA/2006/016

(Gateway reference number: 6307)

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 8 March 2006 to NHS trusts for immediate action. Further information can be found at:

• MDA/2006/016 - Portex Spinal/Epidural Needle Set - Product Codes: 100/396/318, 100/396/716, 100/396/718 and 100/396/916016 (opens new window)

14. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT - MDA/2006/017

(Gateway reference number: 6308)

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 9 March 2006 to NHS trusts and Social services for action. Further information can be found at:

• MDA/2006/017 Smith & Nephew OpSite Post-Op dressings - batch recall (opens new window)

15. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT - MDA/2006/018

(Gateway reference number: 6309)

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 13 March 2006 to NHS trusts and Social services for immediate action and update. Further information can be found at:

• MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT - MDA/2006/018 MediSense Optium Xceed^TM, TheraSense FreeStyle Mini^TM and TheraSense FreeStyle^TM blood glucose meters manufactured by Abbott Diabetes Care (opens new window)