Website of the Department of Health

1. Commissioning a Patient-led NHS - (Gateway reference number: 6612)

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

No news this week

Publications

2. Review of Commissioning Arrangements for Specialised Services - (Gateway reference number: 6591)

The report of this independent review is now available at

• Review of commissioning arrangements for specialised services

The recommendations will be addressed in the "Commissioning Framework" which is expected to be published in the summer.

3. Payment of National Training Strategy (NTS) and Human Resources Development Strategy (HRDS) Grants for 2006/07 - (Gateway reference number: 6575)

Following publication of LAC(2006)4, all Local Authorities will have now received full payment of their NTS and HRDS Social Care Grants for 2006/07.  Any queries regarding these grants should be emailed to

• NTS-HRDSgrantEnquiries@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)

4. Statutory and Best Practice Guidance published on the Role of Directors of Adult Social Services - (Gateway reference number: 6141)

Published on 15 May to support LAs to implement the new post of Director of Adult Social Services (DASS) as part of the changes to chief officer portfolios made by the Children Act 2004. See

• Guidance on the role of Director of Adult Social Services: Consultation outcome

5. Improving Care for People with Long-term Conditions - A Review of UK and International Frameworks - (Gateway reference number: 6526)

The NHS and Social Care Model was developed based on examples of good practice in the UK and abroad. This report describes some of those frameworks used to conceptualise chronic care and summarises evidence about the effects of these frameworks.

• Improving Care for People with Long-term Conditions in Portable Document Format (PDF) from NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement (opens new window)

6. Pay and Terms of Service of salaried primary care dentists and dental public health staff - (Gateway reference numbers: 6424 & 6588)

Advance Letters have now been published detailing changes to pay, allowances and terms of service of salaried primary care dentists [AL(DOS) 2/2006] and dental public health staff [AL(DOS) 1/2006], the changes being effective from 1 April 2006. The Advance Letters are available at

• AL(DOS) 2/2006: Pay Scales and Allowances for dentists working in the Salaried Primary Dental Care Services (Community and Salaried Personal Dental Services dentists)
• AL(DOS) 1/2006: Pay and Allowances for Dental Public Health Staff

7. Launch of Talking Therapy Pilots - (Gateway reference number: 6605)

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has launched the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme. The Government is committed to improving access to talking therapies. The programme will establish two demonstration sites and a network of regional initiatives to test the evidence.

To find out more, visit

• Choice and Psychological Therapies programme website (opens new window)

8. NHSFT Whole Health Community Diagnostic Programme New Guidance - (Gateway reference numbers: 6584 & 6582)

This programme now includes mental health. The Department of Health and Monitor have produced a guide and adapted a package of diagnostic tools for SHAs and Mental health trusts to assist in the roll out of the programme. See

Conferences and events - i) what's new

9. Future Services Network host Three Sector Summit: 22 June, London - (Gateway reference number: 6590)

Focusing on solutions for service provision, this summit will explore the role for public, private and third sector in delivering responsive public services of the future. Speakers include Prime Minister Tony Blair and Ivan Lewis MP.

• Future Services Network (opens new window)

Conferences and events - ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

10. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT: MDA/2006/028 - SLE Ltd single-use heated patient breathing circuits (model numbers beginning with N2188 and N5188) - (Gateway reference number: 6597)

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 16 May 2006 to NHS trusts for immediate action. Further information can be found at

• MDA/2006/028 - SLE Ltd single-use heated patient breathing circuits (model numbers beginning with N2188 and N5188) (opens new window)