Website of the Department of Health

Consultations and evaluations

1. Help the NHS fight fraud (Gateway reference number: 7931)

Fraud and security incidents and breaches in the NHS are unacceptable. This consultation seeks comment on a draft Code of Practice for members of the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS). The aim is to provide a framework for them to exercise the powers provided by the Health Act 2006.

Action: Consider the consultation, submit comments and contribute to a safer, fraud-free NHS.

• A code of practice for the use of powers to counter NHS fraud and security incidents - consultation

2. Draft skin cancer and draft new gynaecology measures in relation to diagnostic services (Gateway reference number: 8444)

These have been issued for a three-month consultation prior to inclusion in the Manual for Cancer Services and use in the peer review.

Action: Read the consultation document and, by 28 September 2007, submit any comments on the measures to

• Tamika.chung@gstt.nhs.uk (opens new window)
• New measures for the Manual Cancer Services 2004 - Consultation
• Cancer Quality Improvement Network System (CQuINS) V2 - consultation (opens new window)

3. Draft response on sustainable procurement (Gateway reference number: 8518)

In response to Procuring the Future, the report of the Government’s Sustainable Procurement Task Force, this draft provides a five-year plan for using procurement power to bring about change for the benefit of the community. Procuring for health and sustainability 2012 is open for consultation until 28 July.

Action: Read the draft and respond by completing the online consultation questionnaire.

• Sustainable development on the NHS PASA website (opens new window)

Publications

4. Atlas that does the math: online tool for Circulatory Systems Problems (Gateway Reference 8503)

Jointly undertaken by the Department of Health (DH) and the National Centre for Health Outcomes Development (NCHOD), these interactive atlases link NHS expenditure data with clinical and health data. Its user-friendly format combines maps, tables and charts in a way that allows the user to select, filter, sort and explore the data.

Action: Investigate your PCT’s relationship between expenditure, outputs and outcomes.

• Programme budgeting data

5. Child’s play: Sure Start made simple (Gateway reference: 8392)

Sure Start Children’s Centres aim to build trusting relationships with families and encourage healthy parenting practices. By 2010, the Government aims to have 3,500 centres in place, however, NHS organisations must start learning about the agenda now. This publication outlines key responsibilities, examples of best practice and links to further resources.

Action: Read the publication to familiarise yourself with your organisation’s responsibilities.

• Delivering health services through Sure Start Children's Centres

6. Wristbands no longer off-the-cuff (Gateway reference number: 8115)

To improve patient safety, the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has issued new advice to NHS organisations on standardising wristbands for hospitalised patients. From 18 July, all NHS organisations in England and Wales will have to adhere to these regulations.

Action: Chief executives should read the information about implementing the recommendations and learn about the ‘before’ and ‘after’ audits.

• National Patient Safety Agency - Standardising wristbands improves patient safety (opens new window)

7. Online tips from the Joint Improvement Partnership (Gateway reference number: 8517)

The Joint Improvement Partnership (JIP) website provides a range of resources to assist improvement activity. Resources on the website include self-assessments to help review your services, a discussion forum and directories.

Action: Use this website as a tool to diagnose and review your services.

• Joint Improvement Partnership (opens new window)

8. Guidance on £25m funding for carers (Gateway reference 8312)

From October 2007, there will be an additional £25 million available to English local authorities to enhance emergency cover for carers. Guidelines for the funding are now available along with the determination of grant.

Action: Access the guidance and identify the principles of this funding.

• Emergency respite care

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

No news this week.