Website of the Department of Health

1. Commissioning a Patient-led NHS update - (Gateway reference number: 6568)

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

Queries may be addressed to

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

Consultations and evaluations

2. Review of UK Health Research - (Gateway reference number: 6561)

Sir David Cooksey has launched a consultation to review the institutional arrangements for the new single fund of over £1billion per annum for health research. His consultation ends on 28 July. Sir David will report to the Chancellor and Secretaries of State for Health and Trade and Industry, around October 2006. See

• HM Treasury website (opens new window)

3. Self-Assessment Pilots - (Gateway reference number: 6541)

The Department of Health is running self-assessment pilots for community equipment and community care services. The call for expressions of interest for local authorities to become a pilot site (with a deadline of 21 June) is now available at

For further information, please email

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

Publications

4. Tackling hospital waiting: the 18 week patient pathway - an implementation framework - (Gateway reference number: 6468)

This was published on 10 May. The framework sets out a plan for achieving the 18 week pathway and contains the principles and definitions. It is available, with a detailed Delivery Resource Pack, at

• Tackling hospital waiting: Patient pathway framework launched (opens new window)

Enquiries to

• 18weeks@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)

5. Adult Congenital Heart Disease - (Gateway reference number: 6397)

A best practice guide to assist commissioners of NHS services in monitoring, planning and developing services locally was launched by the Minister of State for Health Services, Rosie Winterton on 11 May at the National Heart Hospital. Available at

• Adult congenital heart disease

For hard copies telephone 08701555455 quoting reference 273640.

6. Publication of Departmental Report - Department of Health - (Gateway reference number: 6422)

The sixteenth annual departmental report for the Department of Health has been published on the DH  website at

• Department of Health: Departmental Report 2006

For further information contact Mike Harris at Department of Health, Finance and Investment Directorate, Room 4W04, Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE or  0113 254 6012.

Conferences and events - i) what's new

7. NHS local meetings - (Gateway reference number: 6553)

Influence the work NHS Employers is doing around some of the big issues such as productivity, large-scale workforce re-design, pay & contract negotiations and benefits realisation.

For further information see

• Local members' meetings 2006 (opens new window)

 To reserve a place contact 0113 3063098 or

• assembly@nhsemployers.org (opens new window)

Conferences and events - ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

8. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT - MDA/2006/026: Universal Hospital Supplies Guedel airways - Lot numbers beginning with the year of manufacture e.g. 2005 B 11 (Lot numbers with the prefix WO are not affected) - (Gateway reference number: 6556)

Size 1 - Ref: UN 38/1  Size 2 - Ref: UN 38/2

Size 3 - Ref: UN 38/3  Size 4 - Ref: UN 38/4

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 3 May 2006 to NHS trusts and Social Services departments for immediate action. Further information can be found at

• MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT - MDA/2006/026: Universal Hospital Supplies Guedel airways (opens new window)

9. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT - MDA/2006/027: Ambulatory insulin infusion pump set, Roche Diagnostics ACCU-CHEK FlexLink - (Gateway reference number: 6557)

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 4 May 2006 to NHS trusts for immediate action. Further information can be found at

• MDA/2006/027: Ambulatory insulin infusion pump set, Roche Diagnostics ACCU-CHEK FlexLink (opens new window)