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. Reformed Social Services Complaints Procedure - amendment to implementation date - (Gateway reference number: 6732)

Following the announcement in the CE bulletin in March and the consultation with stakeholders, the ADSS and local authority Complaints Managers, the new social services complaints procedures for adults and children will now come into force on 1 September 2006. This is in order to allow local authorities reasonable time to prepare for the changes. The regulations and supporting guidance for the new procedure will still be issued in June.  More information from Jon Stanley (DH) 0113 254 5815 or Lucy Andrew (DfES) 020 7925 5080

Consultations and evaluations

3. Review: NHS pharmacy control of entry reforms - (Gateway reference number: 6559)

On 13 June Health Minister Andy Burnham announced details of a review of the progress made on reforming the "control of entry" system for NHS pharmaceutical services.

Contact Gillian Farnfield on 020 7972 2700 for further information.

For details of the announcement, the public consultation and regional public listening events see:

• Review of progress on reforms in England to the 'Control of Entry' system for NHS pharmaceutical contractors: A consultation

4. Mental Capacity Act Research Regulations - (Gateway reference number: 6698)

The Department of Health has published draft regulations under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 for consultation. The regulations are an important part of the implementation of the Act and provide detailed policy on a number of issues where broad outlines were given in the primary legislation. The draft regulations and a detailed explanation of the policy intention are available at:

• Mental Capacity Act 2005: Consultation on draft research regulations

The Department is interested to hear the views from staff who have an interest in mental capacity and research. The consultation closes on 5 September 2006. Email:

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

5. Dealing with anti-social, nuisance or disorderly behaviour on NHS healthcare premises - (Gateway reference number: 6232)

On 10 June 2006 the Department of Health launched a consultation on introducing new legislation to deal with nuisance or disorderly behaviour on NHS healthcare premises. The consultation period will close on 1 September 2006 and the proposals can be found at

• Tackling nuisance or disturbance behaviour on NHS healthcare premises: A paper for consultation

Publications

6. Health Profiles for Local Authorities Released - (Gateway reference number: 6513)

The Local Authority Health Profiles form a comprehensive suite of information located in one place, consistent over time and across local boundaries. They tell a complete integrated story on health; providing accessible information to support DsPH and LAs in promoting health in their area. See

• Community Health Profiles website (opens new window)

7. The Ninth Wave of Rapid Review Panel Decisions on Products - (Gateway reference number: 6701)

These are designed to help NHS staff improve hospital cleanliness, hygiene and infection control. For more information see

• More on the RRP (opens new window)

8. Delivering Quality & Value: Focus on Productivity & Efficiency - (Gateway reference number: 6417)

Health Minister Andy Burnham launched this document on 12 June. It is designed to help commissioners and providers identify where to focus for the greatest potential gains, by highlighting areas with the highest variation in performance across the NHS. See:

• Delivering quality and value: focus on productivity and efficiency (opens new window)

9. Facilitating Technology Pull into the NHS - (Gateway reference number: 6721)

DH is calling for bids to pilot Healthcare Technology Co-operatives. These are NHS-based, national, clinician-led collaborations with academia and industry, to develop innovations with high impact in areas of unmet clinical need, improving health and care services. Chief Executive sign-off, where a trust elects to bid, will be mandatory. Deadline is 2 October 2006. More at

• NHS Healthcare Technology co-operatives - call for outline proposals

10. Monitor publishes three-year corporate plan - (Gateway reference number: 6733)

Monitor, the regulator of NHS foundation trusts, has published its three-year corporate plan, covering 2006-09. The plan also includes an action plan for 2006-07. The plan is available at:

• Independent regulator of NHS trusts - publications (opens new window)

11. Reaching Out: Evaluation of three mental health promotion pilots to reduce suicide amongst young men - (Gateway reference number: 6657)

For information, contact John Scott on 0113 254 6892.  The full report, together with the evaluation of these pilots, has been published and is available at:

• Reaching Out: A report of the three mental health promotion pilots (opens new window)

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

12. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT - MDA/2006/035. FreeStyle^TM, FreeStyle Mini^TM and MediSense Optium Xceed^TM blood glucose meters manufactured by Abbott Diabetes Care - (Gateway reference number: 6731)

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 8 June 2006 to NHS trust and Social Services for immediate action and update. Further information at:

• FreeStyleTM, FreeStyle MiniTM and MediSense Optium XceedTM blood glucose meters manufactured by Abbott Diabetes Care (opens new window)