Website of the Department of Health

1. Commissioning a Patient-led NHS (Gateway reference number: 6699)

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)

2. Plans to amend the Mental Health Act 1983 (Gateway reference number: 6420)

Further briefing sheets are now available at:

• The Mental Health Bill: Plans to amend the Mental Health Act 1983 - Briefing sheets on key policy areas where changes are proposed

There will also be a further stakeholder event on 15 June in London, which will be an opportunity to discuss proposed changes with the Policy team. 

For more information telephone 020 7972 4477 or email

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

Consultations and evaluations

3. Payment by Results - Opportunity for feedback on next version of Healthcare Resource Groups (HRG) version 4 (ROCR/06/004) (Gateway reference number: 6531)

We are also inviting feedback on the procedure classification on which they are based (OPCS 4.3) and the arrangements for handling specialised services under Payment by Results.  A questionnaire is available for download and should be returned to the Department of Health by 30 June 2006. See

• PbR development - opportunity for feedback

Publications

4. Choice matters: Increasing choice improves patients' experiences (Gateway reference number: 6634)

Choice matters provides a snapshot of the policy of patient choice in the NHS five months after choice at the point of referral was introduced service-wide. It contains a series of case studies that illustrate the experience of choice from the perspective of both patients and NHS staff.  See

• Choice matters: Increasing choice improves patients' experiences

5. NHS and social care alert to impact of digital TV switchover dates (Gateway Reference number: 6658)

Between 2008 and 2012, TV signals across the UK will switch to an all digital format, conversion or upgrading all analogue TV equipment, and aerials (where necessary) should be considered. For more information see

• Digital UK website (opens new window)
• Department for Culture, Media and Sport digital television website (opens new window)

or email

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

A good practice guide is available at

• Department for Culture, Media and Sport digital television website (opens new window)

6. Productivity Metrics: The Operating Framework for 2006-07 (Gateway reference number 6630)

The Operating Framework for 2006-07 explained that a set of productivity metrics would be published.

The follow-up letter from Sir Ian Carruthers on 10 May set out the proposed initial set of indicators and the definitions of these indicators are now available at

• NHS Institute: Productivity metrics definitions (opens new window)

7. Investment Guidance RouteMap (Gateway reference number 6685)

This new web-tool is designed to bring together all guidance for Capital and IM&T Investment programmes. It enables quick access to information currently hosted in different parts of the DH and other Government websites. See

• Investment Guidance RouteMap

 For more information email

• MB-PFIC@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)

8. Chief Executive's Report to the NHS (Gateway reference number 6684)

The Chief Executive's Report to the NHS is available at

• Chief Executive's report to the NHS: June 2006

Conferences and events - i) what's new

No news this week

Conference and events - ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

9. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT - MDA/2006/030 (Gateway reference number 6691)

Draeger anaesthetic vaporisers: Vapor 2000 and D-Vapor

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 23 May 2006 to NHS trusts for action. Further information can be found at

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency website (opens new window)

10. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT - MDA/2006/031 (Gateway reference number 6692)

Electrosurgical vessel-sealing instruments: Valleylab Ligasure Atlas catalogue numbers LS1100 and LS1120

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 25 May 2006 to NHS trusts for action. Further information can be found at

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency website (opens new window)

11. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT - MDA/2006/032 (Gateway reference number 6693)

Contact lens solution: ReNu with MoistureLoc® from Bausch & Lomb

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 31 May 2006 to NHS trusts for action. Further information can be found at

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency website (opens new window)

12. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT - MDA/2006/033 (Gateway reference number 6694)

Adult proctoscopes: Seward Thackray

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 1 June 2006 to NHS trusts for action. Further information can be found at

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency website (opens new window)

13. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT - MDA/2006/034 (Gateway reference number 6695)

Fischer Cone Biopsy Excisor (FCBE): Apple Medical Corp

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 5 June 2006 to NHS trusts for action. Further information can be found at

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency website (opens new window)