Website of the Department of Health

1. Commissioning a Patient-led NHS Update (Gateway reference number: 6388)

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

2. 2006/07 Pay Uplift for NHS Senior Managers (Gateway reference number: 6389)

Lord Warner Minister of State for NHS Reform, has today written to Chairs and Chief Executives of NHS organisations to inform them of increases to remuneration for Chairs and Non-Executive Directors; and increases to pay for very senior managers. The letter also provides an update on proposals for a new Pay Framework for Very Senior Managers. See:

• Pay and contractual arrangements for NHS Chief Executives and Directors

Consultations and evaluations

3. Mandatory surveillance of MRSA bacteraemias (ROCR/OR/0037/002/FTSCH6) (Gateway reference: 6363)

CMO and CNO have issued a letter providing additional guidance on mandatory surveillance of MRSA bacteraemias. This includes the deadline for completing returns for 2005/06 data for the Healthcare Commission's annual 'healthcheck', and monthly deadlines to be met by all acute Trusts from April 2006. See letter for further details:

• PL CMO (2006)2: Reporting MRSA data: overview of arrangements

4. The Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians Order 2006: A paper for consultation (Gateway reference number: 5853)

This consultation document, relating to the reform of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, was launched on 27 March 2006. It includes proposals for reform of registration including, for the first time, statutory regulation of pharmacy technicians in England and Wales; updated provisions for education and training; increased emphasis on and improved capacity to address fitness to practise issues and a new statutory committee structure for the Society.

Response to this consultation by 19 June 2006 please.

View document at:

• Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians order 2006: A paper for consultation

or hardcopy by emailing:

• dh@prolog.uk.com (opens new window)

5. Simplification Plan (Gateway reference number: 6329)

The Department has published its draft Simplification Plan on its website for a three-month consultation.

The Plan includes measures that are being taken forward to reduce regulatory burdens on the public and private sectors without removing necessary protections. We would welcome your comments and simplification proposals.

• Department of Health draft simplification plan

Publications

6. Partnerships for Older People Projects (POPP) Grant for 2006/08 - LAC(2006)07 (Gateway reference number: 6347)

The Department of Health has issued a Local Authority Circular setting out the conditions governing the use of this grant. The circular is brought to the attention of Chief Executives of the nineteen Local Authority-led partnerships including Chief Executives of partner PCTs.

• LAC (2006)7: Partnerships for Older People Projects (POPP) Grant 2006 - 08: Round 1 POPP Pilots

7. From 2005/06 Treasury requires NHS bodies to produce a Management Commentary (Gateway reference number: 6373)

In line with the recommendations of the Accounting Standards Board's Reporting Statement: 'Operating and Financial Review'. The responsibility for the contents of the Review falls to the Board of Directors. Guidance on Management Commentaries is available at:

• Department of Health - Finance Manual website (opens new window)

8. Preserved rights grant 2006/07 and 2007/08 - LAC (2006)10 (Gateway reference number: 6359)

This circular confirms the Preserved Rights Grant allocations for 2006/07 and gives provisional allocations for 2007/8. There are no conditions attached to these grants.

• LAC (2006)10: 1) Preserved rights grant 2006/07 and 2007/08: 2) End of the residential allowance grant

9. Payment by Results Assurance Framework (Gateway reference number: 6377)

The attention of Chief Executives are drawn to a new letter offering an update on the implementation of the PbR Assurance Framework which is available on our website at:

• Payment by results assurance framework

10. Supported Capital Expenditure (Capital Grant) for Improving Information Management 2006/07 - LAC(2006)11 (Gateway reference number: 6375)

LASSL (2005)6 announced the extension of the grant and confirmed that £25M would be paid in 2006/07 and 2007/08 to Councils with Social Service Responsibilities.  This circular sets out how the grant is to be allocated, conditions for its use and the requirement to submit a summary spending plan for both years.

• LAC (2006)11: Supported capital expenditure (capital grant) for improving information management 2006/2007

Conferences and events - i) what's new

11. Important date for your diary: 9 May - MRSA Chief Executives event (Gateway reference number: 6382)

Chief Executive support is crucial in reducing MRSA. Improvement in this area will support progress in other areas eg Choice, Payment By Results and will help improve productivity. This one day event has been designed to support Chief Executives in realising their priorities and making sustainable improvement. Further details will be available next week.

Conferences and events - ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

12. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT - MDA/2006/022: Baxter MiniCap peritoneal dialysis disconnect cap with povidone-iodine (Gateway reference number: 6374)

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 22 March 2006 to NHS trusts for action. Further information can be found at:

• www.mhra.gov.uk (opens new window)