Website of the Department of Health

Consultations and evaluations

2. Consultation on improving the process of death certification (Gateway reference number: 8549)

DH is seeking views on proposals to address weaknesses identified by the Shipman Inquiry in the current system for certifying death. The deadline for comments is 24 October 2007.

Action: Read the proposals and share your comments.

• Consultation on Improving the Process of Death Certification

3. Modernising financial allocation arrangements for pharmaceutical services (Gateway reference number: 8543)

This consultation invites views on DH proposals to modernise financial allocations arrangements for NHS pharmaceutical services requiring primary legislation.

Action: Submit your views by 16 Oct 2006. Contact Gillian Farnfield on 0207 972 2700 for further information.

• Modernising financial allocation arrangements for NHS pharmaceutical services 2007: consultation document

4. Is your PPI work award winning? (Gateway reference number: 8590)

The Involvement to Impact Awards (I2I) 2007 showcase the work of NHS staff and organisations who involve patients and the public. Entries are welcome from all NHS, voluntary network and social care organisations who have worked with patients and the public to impact on service delivery.

Action: Submit your entries for the Involvement to Impact Awards 2007.

• NHS Centre for Involvement: Involvement to Impact Awards 2007 (opens new window)

Publications

5. Heart Failure audit launch (Gateway reference number: 8552)

The National Heart Failure audit, launched on 23 July will provide information on heart failure treatment across the UK, including patient profiles, length of hospital admission, interventions, medication and outcome. The audit, released to NHS Trusts in England and Wales, measures standards of care against best practice and identifies gaps in care to improve services.

Action: The information is for clinicians to hone strategies to minimise hospitalisations for heart failure and improve services.

• The Information Centre: Heart failure (opens new window)

6. Directions for reporting surplus land (Gateway reference number: 8544)

The Secretary of State asks health service bodies (excluding NHS Foundation Trusts) to provide details of surplus land for inclusion on the Register of Surplus Public Sector Land.

Action: Review the directions and action as appropriate.

• Directions concerning the Register of Surplus Public Sector Land

7. Radiotherapy Dataset Project (Gateway reference number: 8567)

In response to a recently published a report from the National Radiotherapy Advisory Group (NRAG), the collection of the radiotherapy dataset will be mandatory from September 2008. Access the background information, a summary of the current position and plans for the future here.

Action: Chief executives are asked to help take the radiotherapy dataset project onto the next stage by giving support locally to the project.

• Radiotherapy Dataset (RTDS) Project (formerly RES)

8. The IC’s annual report (Gateway reference number: 8575)

‘Better information, better decisions, better care’ is the title and message of the Information Centre’s (IC) second annual report. The report highlights the crucial role that information plays in improving efficiency, financial control and delivering real benefits for staff and patients.

Action: Read the report to find out how the IC’s information and knowledge can help you build a healthier nation.

• The Information Centre: Corporate documents - Annual Report and Accounts 2006/07 (opens new window)

9. Addressing the challenges of teenage pregnancy (Gateway reference number: 8511)

Teenage Pregnancy: Improving Outcomes for Teenage Parents and their Children, is a complement to guidance issued last year on reducing under-18 conceptions. The strategy provides guidance for local authorities and primary care trusts on the integrated services that the Department for Children, Schools and Families want each local area to provide.

Action: Read the strategy and find out more about the national support to achieve local delivery.

• Every Child Matters: Teenage Pregnancy: Improving Outcomes for Teenage Parents and their Children (opens new window)

10. Pay framework extension (Gateway reference number: 8579)

The pay framework for very senior managers has been extended to cover SHAs. The updated document includes information on the use of additional pay for directors with broad remit and reflects 2007/8 rates of pay.

Action: For information.

• Pay framework for very senior managers in strategic and special health authorities, primary care trusts and ambulance trusts - 2006

11. £50 million for HCAIs and update on reporting C.difficile (Gateway reference number: 8551)

This letter thanks staff for the reduction in HCAIs and provides information on the new funding available to support frontline staff in their continuing battle against infection. A reminder of new reporting arrangements for C.difficile infection is also included.

Action: Note the availability of additional funding and cascade to directors of infection prevention and control for action.

• PL CNO (2007)4: Additional £50 million for HCAIs and update on requirements for Clostridium difficile reporting

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

12. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/058 (Gateway reference number: 8588)

Device: Point of care and home-use blood glucose meters: Roche Accu-Chek and Glucotrend; Abbott Diabetes Care FreeStyle.
This Medical Device Alert was issued on 19 July 2007 to NHS trusts and social services for action/update.
Further information can be found at

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/058 (opens new window)