Website of the Department of Health

1. Commissioning a Patient-led NHS

The latest updates on Commissioning a Patient-Led NHS are available at

Queries may be addressed to

• mb-cplnhs@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)

2. Choice is extended to cover Foundation Trusts and first wave ISTCs (Gateway reference number: 6406)

From January, eligible patients have had a choice of provider when referred by their GP for a first outpatient appointment. From May, patients will be able to choose from an extended choice menu. Initially this will include all Foundation Trusts, followed by ISTCs. Later this year, accredited IS providers will be added to the menu. This is the next step on the pathway towards free choice in 2008. New guidance on extending choice has been issued to all providers and commissioners.

The guidance is available to download from

• Choice at referral: Guidance framework for 2006/7

3. Allowances for Professional Executive Committees (PEC) chairs and members for 2005/2006 (Gateway reference number: 6483)

The Secretary of State has agreed that no uplift would be made to the allowances and locum payments paid to PEC chairs and members for 2005/06. Details are available at:

• Professional executive committees (PECs)

Consultations and evaluations

4. Third National Prevalence Survey of Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAI) (ROCR/06/002) (Gateway reference number: 6062)

The Department has commissioned the Hospital Infection Society to conduct a survey to establish the current burden of HCAIs in acute hospitals. Chief Executives are asked to ensure that their infection control team is participating. For further information at

• Hospital Infection Society (opens new window)

or contact the Study Co-ordinator, Joanne Enstone via

• Joanne.enstone@btinternet.com (opens new window)

Publications

5. Reimbursement of pharmacy contractors: New arrangements for drugs not incurring discount to be implemented in two phases (Gateway reference number: 6450)

From May 2006, new criteria will apply for adding items to the Zero Discount lists. Later in the year, items not meeting the criteria will be removed. Further information at

• Simplification of reimbursement arrangements for NHS dispensing contractors - Changes to the zero discount (ZD) lists

6. Guidance - Modernising IM&T in General Practice (Support Services) (Gateway reference number: 5679)

Joint guidance prepared by DH and the BMA on the subject of local IM&T support arrangements between PCTs and their GMS contractors is now available.

PCTs should have regard to this guidance when entering into local agreements.

Available at:

• Modernising information management and technology in general practice: Support services (version 1.0) - guidance

7. Delivering Quality and Value: Focus On HR (Gateway reference number: 6276)

This document is designed to complement the 10 HR High Impact Changes launched in 'A National Framework to Support Local Workforce Strategy Development.'  It recommends a number of practical HR management actions that could be made to improve local financial efficiency.

• Delivering quality and value: Focus on HR

8. Towards Race Equality in Health - A Guide to Commissioning Services (Gateway reference number: 6502)

A practical guide to race equality in PCT commissioning, written by practitioners from Race for Health PCTs, covering guidance on implementation and policy information.

More at:

• Race for health website (opens new window)
• Contact Anurita Mulchand at: enquiries@raceforhealth.org (opens new window)

9. Audit results of inter-hospital transfers for cardiac patients - (Gateway reference number: 6341)

A report by the NHS Heart Improvement Programme details reductions in avoidable bed days and increased quality of care for urgent cardiac transfer patients. Available in hard copy format from 08701 555 455, quoting reference HIP008.  Also available at

• NHS heart improvement programme (opens new window)
• Contact Shelagh Nachin: Sheelagh.Machin@heart.nhs.uk (opens new window)

10. National Joint Registry - Change of Contractor (Gateway reference number: 6490)

Northgate Information Solutions have been awarded the National Joint Registry (NJR) contract taking over the management of the contract from AEA Technology from 1 April 2006. Contact Ramila Mistry on 020 7972 4174.

Please view the attached letters for further information.

• National Joint Registry - Change of Contractor

11. Review of the charging structure of bedside entertainment systems (Gateway reference number:6496)

Chief Executives of NHS Trusts with a bedside entertainment system. The Department of Health is reviewing the issue of costs to users of the systems and how additional services for the trust may contribute to reducing the incoming call cost. For further information 

• Review of the bedside television and telephone systems

Conferences and events - i) what's new

12. Secretary of State speaking at national practice based commissioning conference- (Gateway reference number: 6494)

Patricia Hewitt is speaking at a national PBC conference on 11 May. The aim of this free DH event is to show how effective PBC can be - and has been - achieved.

Conferences and events - ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

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