Website of the Department of Health

Consultations and evaluations

2. Health Care and Associated Professions Order Consultation (Gateway reference number: 8827)

The Health Care and Associated Professions Order will take forward reforms identified in the White Paper, Trust, Assurance and Safety – The Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21st Century.

Action: NHS chief executives wishing to comment on the draft regulations will need to by 22 February 2008.

• Health Care and Associated Professions Order 2008

3. A shared vision of mental health (Gateway Reference 9072)

The Department of Health has launched a 14 week consultation (between 28 November 2007 and 5 March 2008) on draft guidance on 'Finding a shared vision of how people's mental health problems should be understood', which is aimed at everyone concerned with the development and delivery of services.

Action: NHS chief executives and local authority chief executive and directors of social care are invited to review the draft guidance and provide comments.

• Consultation on guidance on 'Finding a shared vision of how people's mental health problems should be understood'

4. Campus Capital Programme 2008/09 (Gateway reference number 9128)

The second stage of bidding for capital under this programme has now opened. Total funding of £175m is being made available to PCTs over three years to 2009/10, to help with the reprovision of people living in NHS campuses. The closing date for applications is noon Friday 25 January 2008. There is also a free half-day information session on 5 December 2007 in London.

Action: PCT chief executives will wish to be aware and to support their directors of commissioning in submitting bids for capital in 2008/09, further details in the letter, which also highlights the event to support these bids.

• Campus Capital Programme Event: 2008-2009 (Stage 2) (opens new window)
• Letter: Bidding for capital funding for the campus reprovision programme 2008/9 - stage 2

Publications

5. Star ratings for social care (Gateway reference number: 9107)

The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) has published the star ratings for councils. Also published today, the performance assessment framework performance indicators (PAF PIs) for 2006/07 for adults’ social services.

Action: Local authority and NHS chief executives, and directors of adults social services will be interested in the results and implications for their organisations.

• CSCI - Star ratings for councils (opens new window)
• CSCI - PAF reports and data (opens new window)

6. Intravenous immunoglobulin guidelines (Gateway reference number: 8454)

There have been significant fluctuations in the availability of immunoglobulin and this has led to some patients not receiving their infusions. To manage current supply and any future shortages, the DH has implemented guidelines and a demand management plan for immunoglobulin. 

Action: Chief executives of NHS trusts to consider what recommended actions are detailed within the demand management plan and ‘dear colleague’ letter. These include establishing panels to approve and monitor use of immunoglobulin.

• Programme to maintain the security of supply of immunoglobulin

7. Improving neurological services (Gateway reference number: 8393)

The Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP) has produced the 10 Quick Wins poster and leaflet, which are key tools in implementing the National Service Framework for Long-term Conditions. They focus on high priority and high impact areas where services can be improved without the need for additional funding and resources. 

Action: NHS and social care chief executives should note the suggestions contained within these information resources to improve commissioning and caring for people with long-term neurological conditions.   

• 10 Quick Wins - Long Term Neurological Conditions NSF (opens new window)

8. Service Improvement for Radiologists (Gateway reference number: 8959)

This signposting document summarises current service improvement methodology and benefits and draws on learning from hospitals across England to help deliver timely and effective imaging services for UK radiologists and trusts.

Action: NHS chief executives should note the suggestions to help them in delivering key success factors to reduce and improve imaging waiting times.  

• Download Service Improvement for Radiologists from the Radiology Service Improvement website in Portable Document Format (PDF) (opens new window)

9. Catch It Bin It Kill It (Gateway reference number: 9045)

This communication campaign was launched 28 November and is running until spring 2008. It encourages correct respiratory and hand hygiene amongst the public, as part of pandemic preparedness.

Action: NHS chief executives are invited to encourage their staff to use the campaign materials which are freely available from the DH Publications Orderline tel. 0870 155 5455;  quoting codes 284556/A4 or 284556/A3 or email:

• dh@prolog.uk.com (opens new window)
• CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT - Respiratory and Hand Hygiene Campaign 2007-2008

10. Increases to the sight test fee (Gateway reference number 9035)

This letter informs PCTs, contractors on PCT ophthalmic lists, optometrists and ophthalmic medical practitioners of increases to the NHS sight test fee, domiciliary fees, increases in the pre-registration supervisors allowance for 2007/08 and the continuing education and training allowance for 2007. 

Action: PCT chief executives/staff responsible for general ophthalmic services are alerted to the new fees so they can take the appropriate action as requested in the letter. 

• General Ophthalmic Services: increases to the sight test fee and pre-registration supervisors allowance from 1 April 2007 and CET allowance for 2007

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

11. Rapid Response Report 4: Fire Hazard with Paraffin Based Skin Products (Gateway reference number: 9143)

The National Patient Safety Agency is advising all healthcare staff involved in the prescribing, dispensing or administration of paraffin based skin products of a potential fire hazard.

Action: NHS chief executives will be interested in this report to help mitigate the risk of accidental burns in patients using paraffin based skin products.

• NPSA: Fire Hazard with Paraffin Based Skin Products on Dressings and Clothing (opens new window)

12. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/087 (Gateway reference number: 9157)

Device:  Powered wheelchair battery charger: Mentzer 24V 6A Konstant Charger Model G25-324-6 supplied by Exide, Sunrise Medical and Lomax Mobility

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 21 November 2007 to NHS trusts and social services for action. Further information can be found at: 

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/087 (opens new window)