Website of the Department of Health

Consultations and evaluations

No news this week

Publications

1. Our health, our care, our say: making it happen (Gateway reference number: 7191)

This Publication provides an update on progress on implementation of the White Paper and sets out the next stages. It includes a road map to implementation and is a resource to support key actions for local implementation.

See:

• Our health, our care, our say

2. Root cause analysis to reduce healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) (Gateway reference number: 7027)

NPSA have developed a root cause analysis tool to investigate HCAIs such as MRSA. This is an essential part of ensuring avoidable infections are reduced and should form part of a trusts strategy for halving MRSA bacteraemias by 2008.

See tool at:

• National Patient Safety Agency - Learning through action to reduce infection (opens new window)

3. NICE launch first guide to support effective commissioning of services (Gateway reference number: 7249)

NICE have published the first in a series of five commissioning guides to help the NHS in England effectively commission evidence-based care for patients. Chief executives/Commissioners can access the guide on upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy at:

• NICE Upper GI endoscopy services (opens new window)

4. A Joint Improvement Partnership (JIP) strategy for adult care services (Gateway reference number: 7228)

A strategic partnership, formed to coordinate a range of support that is currently available for improving adult social care services, was launched on 18 October by Antony Sheehan at the National Children and Adult Services Conference 2006 New beginnings: firm foundations. Copies of the JIP strategy are available at:

• Social Care Programme - Social Services targetted (opens new window)

5. Wheelchairs Report - 'Out and about' (Gateway reference number: 6977)

The Department of Health has published a report identifying wheelchairs as key in delivering the vision of independence; well being and social inclusion set out in Our Health, our care, our say. The report will inform development of a new delivery model for wheelchairs.

See:

• Out and about - Wheelchairs as part of a whole systems approach to independence

6. Care Closer to Home Demonstration Project (Gateway reference number: 7259)

Delivering care closer to home and in more convenient settings is already happening in many places across the country. Services in six specialities in 30 locations areas are being evaluated as part of the Care Closer to Home Demonstration Project which is a White Paper commitment.

More information at:

• Care closer to home project

7. NHS Connecting for Health National Service Desk (NSD) – Status Update Sept 2006 (Gateway reference number: 7253)

Connecting for Health (CFH) is working towards replacing the current National Service Desk with the NHS CFH Service Desk provided by Fujitsu. Benefits include scalability, quality improvements, and the cost effectiveness of national procurement. Service transition is scheduled for quarter 4 2006/2007. Details available to NHS net users only at:

• NHS Connecting for Health - Service Desk (opens new window)

8. The Health Offender Partnership National Personality Disorder Programme (Gateway reference number: 7261)

Launches a dedicated website on 19 October. The website will provide access to professionals, service users and public on a wide range of PD services, training and research in a key area of mental disorder involving health, social care and criminal justice sectors.

See:

• National Personality Disorder (opens new window)

Conferences and events - i) what's new

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Conference and events - ii) places still available

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Patient safety alerts

9. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2006/059 (Gateway reference number: 7260)

Jenx Limited – seating support systems for children. This Medical Device Alert was issued on 12 October 2006 to NHS trust and Social Services for immediate action. Further information can be found at:

• Medical Device Alert - MDA/2005/059 (opens new window)