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the week: issue 24, 30 November - 6 December 2007

  • Last modified date:
    6 December 2007
  • Series number:
    24

Published every Thursday, the week provides need-to-know news, consultations and events for chief executives and their teams. It provides links to more information and resources, highlighting areas for action.

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Policy news

1. Duty to involve patients strengthened (Gateway reference number: 9138)

This factsheet  provides further information on Section 242 of the National Health Service Act 2006 (updated by the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007). It deals with the implications of the updated duty of involvement and new duty of reporting on consultation that will come into force on 1 April 2008.

Action: NHS chief executives may wish to ensure their organisations are aware of this duty.

Consultations and evaluations

2. Improving Health, Supporting Justice (Gateway reference number: 9071)

This consultation on improving health and social care services for people subject to the criminal justice system is a joint initiative between the Department of Health, Department of Children, Schools and Families, Ministry of Justice, Youth Justice Board and the Home Office.

Action: NHS and local authority chief executives and directors of social care should consider the consultation proposals. Responses to arrive by 4 March 2008.

Publications

3. Independent Interim Report on the information prescriptions pilot project (Gateway reference number: 9150)

Information prescriptions are being developed to help people with long-term health or social care needs receive the information they need to manage their condition. DH funded the pilot programme to develop and test information prescriptions, which are to be rolled out nationally during 2008.

Action: NHS and social care chief executives wishing to comment on the Interim Report please respond to:

4. No Delays Achiever Commissioner Module (Gateway reference number: 9165)

The NHS Institute for Innovation & Improvement has launched the new module for the No Delays Achiever that allows PCTs to compare multiple provider data to help achieve 18 weeks, as well as including other improvements in response to user feedback. This completes the range of three new commissioner-focused tools, all available from the No Delays programme.

Action: Chief executives of PCTs and other senior directors can use this resource to work with their providers to deliver 18 week patient pathways.

5. NHS foundation trusts: Review and Consolidated Accounts 2006/07 (Gateway reference number: 9183)

In its review of NHS foundation trusts' performance last year, Monitor –  the independent regulator of foundation trusts – shows  that they are delivering high quality patient services coupled with strong financial management. However, the report also encourages trusts to strive for continuous improvement in performance.

Action: NHS chief executives considering applying for NHS Foundation Trust status will be interested in the review and consolidated accounts.

6. New trust-level MRSA data (Gateway reference number: 9193)

From mid-December 2008, we intend to present MRSA infection rates for elective admitted patients at trust-level on the NHS Choices website. The infection rates, derived from HPA data, replace the current NHS Choices indicator that presents MRSA infection rates for all admitted patients.

Action: NHS chief executives can view the new dataset on the NHS Choices validation tool.  If they have any concerns about the data and are not sure who the appointed individual is in their trust, please email  

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

7. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/088 (Gateway reference number: 9189)

Device:  Injectable polymeric cements used in percutaneous vertebroplasty, balloon kyphoplasty and pedicle screw augmentation.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 27 November 2007 to NHS trusts for action and update.
Further information can be found at: 

8. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/089 (Gateway reference number: 9190)

Device:  Intravenous (IV) infusion lines: all brands.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 03 December 2007 to NHS trusts for action.
Further information can be found at:  

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