Website of the Department of Health

Consultations and evaluations

1. PFI social care credits for 2007/08 (Gateway reference number 9030)

Local authorities are invited to bid for private finance initiative (PFI) credits to support adult social care capital developments, from a £115 million budget for 2007/08.

Action: Directors of social care are asked to send in an initial letter of interest by 31 December 2007.

• Social Care PFI Initiative

Publications

2. 18 weeks RTT data (Gateway reference number: 9053)

The Department of Health has today published the latest Referral to Treatment Times (RTT) data for admitted patients (patients whose 18 week clock stopped with an inpatient/day case admission). RTT data for non-admitted patients and incomplete RTT times (where the 18 week clock is still running) is being published for the first time this month.

Action: NHS chief executives are required to note the latest RTT data and see how there organisations are performing.

• 18 weeks referral to treatment times data (opens new window)

3. Prescribing for Diabetes in England 2002/07 (Gateway reference number: 9049)
This publication from the Information Centre and Yorkshire and Humber Public Health Observatory reviews the trends in prescribing for diabetes in England, currently the biggest cost to the national drugs bill. 

Action: PCT chief executives and those involved in commissioning and caring for people with diabetes may wish to discuss and address some of the issues raised.

• Yorkshire and Humber Public Health Observatory: Prescribing for Diabetes in England. An analysis of volume, expenditure and trends (opens new window)

4. Study of MRSA deaths (Gateway reference number: 9038)

This DH-funded national and confidential report identifies actions to help reduce MRSA infections.

Action: NHS chief executives should agree with their board and directors of infection prevention and control how to address the points raised.

• PL CNO (2007)7: National Confidential Study of Deaths Following Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infection

5. Escort and bedwatch costs (Gateway reference number: 9037)

The transfer of funding and commissioning responsibility from HM Prison Service to NHS PCTs for these activities will take place in April 2008. Guidance to PCTs regarding timescales for financial allocations is available.

Action: NHS chief executives should note the new timescales for financial allocations from Offender Health.

• Escort and bedwatch costs: transfer of funding from HM Prison Service to Primary Care Trusts

6. NSCAG’s Annual Report 2006/07 (Gateway reference number: 8661)

The National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group’s (NSCAG) eleventh annual report summarises key developments and achievements of nationally designated services during 2006/07.

Action: NHS chief executives will be interested in noting the implications for their organisations of nationally designated services.  

• National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group Annual Report 2006/07

7. Meet the needs of people with challenging behaviour (Gateway reference number: 9019)

Best practice guidance to support commissioners in developing local services for people with learning disabilities, challenging behaviour or mental health needs. 

Action: Chief executives may wish to use this guidance to strengthen their commissioning. 

• Services for people with learning disability and challenging behaviour or mental health health needs

Conferences and events - i) what’s new

8. Masterclasses in workforce planning (Gateway reference number: 9042)

NHS National Workforce Projects has announced three development masterclasses aimed at chief executives, directors and other leaders. Topics cover the role of PCTs in workforce planning, planning across a plurality of providers and commissioning education.

Action: NHS chief executives may wish to register online now for one, two or all three masterclasses.

• NHS Healthcareworkforce: Workforce Planning Masterclasses for Directors and Leaders (opens new window)

Conferences and events - ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

9. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/083 (Gateway reference number: 9050)

Device: General ultrasound scanner: Nemio and Nemio XG systems manufactured by Toshiba Medical Systems Ltd.

Action: This Medical Device Alert was issued on 31 October 2007 to NHS trusts for immediate action.

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/083 (opens new window)

10. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/084 (Gateway reference number: 9051)

Device: Spinal implants – locking nuts used in the Medtronic Colorado II spinal implant system.
Catalogue number 8634111.
Lots: W07G2386, W07G2387, W07G2388, W07G2389, W07G2751, W07H0440, W07H1809 and W07H1810.

Action: This Medical Device Alert was issued on 5 November 2007 to NHS trusts for immediate action and information request.

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/084 (opens new window)