Website of the Department of Health

Following Health Reform in England: update and next steps, published in December 2005, these documents set out plans for strengthened commissioning to ensure patient preferences are at the heart of decision making. The plans are part of a wider update on NHS reforms and the department is seeking views on a range of policy areas. The documents and the letter from Sir Ian Carruthers are available at:

A statement prepared by DH on arrangements for the provision of training in Independent Sector Treatment Centres (ISTCs) is now available.

£100 million of new capital investment funding is being made available to the NHS via SHAs to take forward infrastructure improvements for NHS primary dental services over 2006/07 and 2007/08. Contact: David Roberts on 020 7633 7163

Please see letter from the Acting Director General of Workforce requesting an update on the implementation of the code of practice on the two-tier workforce for soft facilities management staff. Updates should be sent to Sarah Roache: telephone 0113 254 5705.

Duncan Selbie's letter of 5 July, to SHA Chief Executives and Directors of Commissioning and Performance, gave details of a one-off baselining exercise to be carried out by Trusts and PCTs between July and September 2006. Full details, including guidance and supporting documentation, are on