Website of the Department of Health

2. Extending the effectiveness of the Preventative Technology Grant (Gateway reference number: 8488)

Any unspent allocation from this year’s Preventative Technology Grant (LAC (2006)5) can be carried forward into 2008/9 (and must be spent within that year). The grant is provided to enable councils to invest in telecare and help an additional 160,000 older people to remain independent at home.

Action: Read the circular, understand the grant arrangements and help to benefit patients and older people.

• LAC (2006)5 Preventative technology grant 2006-07 to 2007-08

Consultations and evaluations

3. Effective consultation: asking the right questions; asking the right people; listening to the answers (Gateway reference number: 8500)

NHS organisations lead some of the most innovative consultations. Help the government improve its consultation work and ensure it understands how to ask the right people the right questions and listen to those who are most affected by policy and legislation changes. The Cabinet Office is seeking input from the widest possible range of organisations and individuals.

Action: Respond to the questions in the consultation document. You can also share views on a discussion forum.

• Cabinet Office: Effective consultation - download in Portable Document Format (PDF) (opens new window)

4. First ever survey on the state of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in England (Gateway reference number: 8474 & ROCR/OR/0201)

The NHS Centre for Involvement has launched a survey of the state of PPI in the NHS. The findings will identify how NHS staff and organisations can build their capacity to move from involvement to impact.

Action: The centre has emailed NHS chief executives a shortened version of the survey, which should be completed and returned.

• NHS National Centre for Involvement: NHS Leaders Survey (opens new window)

5. Monthly collection of stop smoking statistics (Gateway reference number: 8238)

So we can fast-track information gathering, this data return only requires two figures: the amount of people setting a quit date and the number of people who quit within a four-week period. The first collection, due on 23 July, is voluntary. Mandatory collection will begin on 14 August.

Action: See letter, form and guidance to PCT chief executives asking them to send in a nominated person with contact details to Clive Seaman on 0113 2546119 or email:

• clive.seaman@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)
• Monthly collection of stop smoking information

Publications

6. Setting up on-site sexual health advice services (Gateway reference number: 8238)

Locating health advice services in schools can have a positive impact in helping young people to avoid unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. The Department for Education and Skills, and the Department of Health has issued best practice guidance for the further education sector and PCTs on establishing sexual health advice services.

Action: Take advantage of practical advice on setting up an on-site service, case studies of existing services and answers to frequently asked questions.

• Every Child Matters: Improving Access to Sexual Health Services for Young People in Further Education Settings (opens new window)

7. New 18 weeks data highlights real patient experience (Gateway reference number: 8496)

View the latest Department of Health data on referral to treatment (RTT) times. The information provides a new way of measuring waiting times and reflects the real patient experience. Please continue to check the data, which will be updated and published on the 18 weeks website in future months.

Action: Study the data to reveal insights into achieving targets.

• 18 weeks - RTT data publication (opens new window)

8. Interruption to SUS (Gateway Reference number: 8502)

In order to carry out essential upgrades, the Secondary Uses Service (SUS) will temporarily suspend processing from the end of July, possibly until the beginning of September. Types of enhancements, worst-case scenarios and frequently asked questions are included in the following statement.

Action: Chief executives need to ensure their organisations take steps to prepare by following guidance.

• NHS Connecting for Health: Secondary Uses Service - What's New (opens new window)

9. Saving Lives tools revised (Gateway reference number: 8337)

The delivery tools to reduce MRSA, C.difficile and other infections have been revised to include new guidance on taking blood cultures and antimicrobial prescribing, updating the Saving Lives tools published in June 2005. The tools also include an healthcare association infections (HCAIs) self assessment tool endorsed by the Healthcare Commission.

Actions: Access the tools and use them to help your organisation reduce HCAIs.

• Clean, Safe Care: Acute Trust Tools (opens new window)

Conferences and events - i) what’s new

No news this week.

Conferences and events - ii) places still available

No news this week.

Patient safety alerts

10. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/056 (Gateway reference number: 8493)

Device: Profiling bed: Invacare Scanbed 750 (SB 750) with integral bed rails.

Action: This Medical Device Alert was issued on 27 June 2007 to NHS trusts and social services for action.

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/056 (opens new window)

11. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/057 (Gateway reference number: 8494)

Device: Eliminator esophageal PET balloon dilator and pyloric/colonic PET balloon dilator manufactured by ConMed Corporation.

Action: This Medical Device Alert was issued on 2 July 2007 to NHS trusts for immediate action.

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/057 (opens new window)