Website of the Department of Health

Consultations and evaluations

2. Bearing Good Witness (Gateway reference number: 6471)

The Chief Medical Officer’s report Bearing Good Witness: Proposals for reforming the delivery of medical expert evidence in family law cases was launched for consultation until 28 February 2007. A key proposal is that the NHS should establish teams of specialist experts and be fully reimbursed for this additional work from legal aid. See:

• Bearing good witness: proposals for reforming the delivery of medical expert evidence in family law cases - a consultation

Publications

3. Action on stigma (Gateway reference number 7136)

The Department of Health has launched Action on Stigma, an initiative to help organisations change the way they deal with mental health issues. NHS Chief Executive David Nicholson has written to chief executives explaining the initiative and asking Trusts to feedback their views.

See:

• Action on stigma: Promoting mental health, ending discrimination at work - Letter from the NHS Chief Executive
• Action on stigma: promoting mental health, ending discrimination at work

4. Securing and retaining staff for health and social care - a partnership approach (Gateway reference number: 7317)

David Behan, Director General for Social Care has written to all Local Authority chief executives requesting they engage in partnership working with local NHS organisations undergoing workforce change. A new Framework has been launched to support NHS organisations restructuring their workforce. The Framework recommends health and social care employers work together to maximise employment opportunities for staff.

See:

• Securing and retaining staff for health and social care: A partnership approach - Letter from the Director General for Social Care

5. Improving Occupational Health Services (Gateway reference number: 7273)

On 31 October 2006, the Minister of State for Health, announced the launch of a capital fund of £10m to invest in innovative demonstration sites that will deliver high quality occupational health services to both the NHS and workers in
Small/Medium Enterprises.

See:

• NHS Plus (opens new window)

6. NICE launches further guides to support effective commissioning of services (Gateway reference number: 7326)

NICE have published three further commissioning guides to help the NHS in England effectively commission evidence-based care for patients. Chief executives and commissioners can access the guides on pulmonary rehabilitation service for patients with COPD, assisted-discharge service for patients with COPD, and anticoagulation therapy service at the NICE website. As some information is specific to your organisation, you will need to register on the NICE website to access the information. See:

• NICE - commissioning tool (opens new window)
• NICE commissioning guides - supporting clinical service redesign (opens new window)

7. LAC 2006 (15) Mental Capacity Act 2005 - Resources (Gateway reference number: 7267)

This Local Authority Circular sets out the resources available for the year 2006-7 for training in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and commissioning of the Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) service. It also provides provisional figures for 2007-2008.

See:

• LAC (2006) 15: The mental capacity act and the independent mental capacity advocate (IMCA) service

8. Pay and Allowances for Dental Public Health Staff (Gateway reference number: 7272)

This circular provides details of the further uplift to consultants’ and locum consultants’ salaries, fees and allowances from 1 November 2006 to implement the full award for 2006/07 of 2.2%.

See: 'AL (DOS) 3/2006: Pay and Allowances for Dental Public Health Staff' and:

• Advance letters
• AL (DOS) 3/2006: Pay and Allowances for Dental Public Health Staff

9. Suicide audit in Primary Care Trust localities (Gateway reference number: 6293)

Guidance has been published and is available from the National Institute for Mental Health in England website, or contact John Scott on 0113 254 6892.

• National Institute for Mental Health (opens new window)

10. Revised alert notice scheme issued (Gateway reference number: 7147)

As a result of recent court cases and changes to the structure of the NHS, the Department of Health has reviewed the alert letter scheme and has published new Directions to replace Health Service Circular 2002/011. NHS Employers will provide support and advice on the new scheme which is underpinned by the Healthcare Professionals Alert Notices Directions 2006. See:

• The Healthcare Professionals Alert Notices Directions 2006

11. SHA and PCT responsibilities to people with learning disabilities (Gateway reference number 7308)

The Secretary of State for Health, Chief Executive of the NHS and Director General of Social Care have written to the NHS and Local Authorities to remind them of their responsibilities in delivering quality learning disability services, following the significant findings of abuse in Cornwall learning disability services by the Healthcare Commission and CSCI.

See:

• Follow up to Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust investigation report

Conferences and events - i) what's new

12. Public Health Information and Intelligence Strategy – Informing Healthier Choices (Gateway reference number: 7320)

A post-consultation launch event and further development seminar on will take place on 30 November 2006 in London. To find out more and reserve your free place, visit:

• Community Health Profiles (opens new window)

13. Delivering the Vision Conference (for Healthcare Professionals in Eye Healthcare and PCT Commissioners) (Gateway reference number: 7302)

The Department of Health and Royal National Institute of the Blind host Delivering the Vision, Innovations from the Eyecare Pathways, on 17-18 January 2007 in York. The conference showcases findings from the NHS Eyecare Services Programme. Speakers include Rosie Winterton, Minister of State for Health Services. For enquiries e-mail:

• deliveringthevision@concorde-uk.com (opens new window)

Conference and events - ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

14. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2006/062 (Gateway reference number: 7323)

Urine bag: Coloplast Conveen urine bag 1500ml, 90cm tube, non-sterile. Product code: 5062. Lot numbers: 546740, 568782, 576109.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 26 October 2006 to NHS trust and Social Services for action. Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2006/062 (opens new window)

15. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2006/063 (Gateway reference number: 7324)

Counterfeit condoms: Durex extra sate 3 pack – LOT 20604354.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 31 October 2006 to NHS trust and Social
Services for immediate action. Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2006/063 (opens new window)