Website of the Department of Health

2. Healthcare scientists and regulation
(Gateway reference number: 9228)
This information note provides the change in timescales on the situation regarding the regulation of healthcare scientists.

Action: NHS chief executives will wish to be aware of this position and how it impacts on their organisations.

• Healthcare scientists and regulation

3. Flu vaccination for healthcare workers
(Gateway reference number: 8210)

Details of this year’s seasonal flu vaccination programme were sent to chief executives of NHS trusts (Chief Medical Officer’s Letter 30 March 2007). It provided advice to NHS organisations on encouraging employees directly involved in patient care to have a flu vaccination. This will provide protection to staff, reduce sickness absence in the event of a flu outbreak and may reduce transmission of flu to patients

Action: NHS chief executives are encouraged to ensure that arrangements are in place for healthcare workers to receive their seasonal flu vaccination promptly.  

• PL CMO (2007)3: Influenza Immunisation Programme 2007/2008

4. Access to health services for military veterans
(Gateway reference 9222)

David Nicholson’s letter confirms the extension of HSG(97)31 priority treatment for war pensioners to all veterans and provides guidance for the service in implementing this.

Action: NHS chief executives will need to be aware of HSG(97)31 and of its extension to all veterans, for conditions which are likely to be related to their service, subject to clinical need.

• Access to health services for military veterans

Consultations and evaluations

5. Third Sector Funding Review
(Gateway reference number: 9188)

The Department of Health has launched a consultation with third sector organisations that sets out strategic proposals for a framework to bring greater coherence and strategic relevance to funding and investments.

Action: PCT and local authority chief executives will be interested to note that there will be regional consultation events running through to 20 March 2008 if they wish their organisation to participate.

• Working with stakeholders

Publications

6. Children's Plan
(Gateway reference number: 9242)

The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families has launched the Children’s Plan. This sets out plans that put the needs of families, children and young people at the centre of everything we do.  The letter from Ed Balls gives the context for the Children’s Plan and has information on how to download or order copies.

Actions: This document will be of interest to NHS chief executives given the role the NHS plays in delivering the plan.

• Notification of the Launch of the Childrens Plan (opens new window)

7. Valuing People’s Oral Health
(Gateway reference number: 8660)

Launched on 21 November this is best practice guidance to improve oral health of disabled children and adults. Building on Choosing Better Oral Health: An Oral Health Plan for England it is an evidence-based guide for those who provide or commission dental services for people with disabilities.

Action: NHS and social care chief executives will be interested in how this best practice guidance can help those who provide or commission dental services for people with disabilities. 

• Valuing People's Oral Health: A good practice guide for improving the oral health of disabled children and adults

8. Statement of Financial Entitlements (SFE)
(Gateway reference number: 9176)

A consolidated version of the SFE text is now available. The text is provided for information and ease of reference only and is not a legal document.

Action: PCT chief executives may wish to note that the consolidation includes all amending directions up to and including The Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) (No.2) Directions 2007. 

• General Medical Services (GMS) Statement of Financial Entitlements (SFE)

9.Simplification Plan 2007
(Gateway reference number: 9206)

The Department of Health (DH) published its second annual Simplification Plan on 11 December 2007. The Plan contains measures that demonstrate how the DH and Arms Length Bodies are reducing regulatory burdens on stakeholders. 

Action:  NHS and social care chief executives will be interested in the key areas of health and social care regulatory reform; commitment to 30% reduction in data burdens on frontline; and work with the Third Sector to deliver health and care services. 

• Simplification Plan Year Two

10. No Delays Ambassador Sites
(Gateway reference number:  9209)

From the New Year four organisations will benefit from free project management support from the NHS Institute to help them embed use of the No Delays tools to focus service improvement activities on the delivery of 18 weeks.

Action: NHS chief executives should support their organisations in applying for this scheme by 19 December 2007. 

• No Delays Ambassador Sites Apply Now (opens new window)

11. National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP)
(Gateway reference number: 9218)

On 7 December 2007, the Information Centre for Health and Social Care (IC) released a spreadsheet for PCTs to use to upload their 2007/08 NCMP data for analysis.

Action: PCT chief executives will be interested to know that this key data capture tool is now available for their organisations to use at: 

• Healthy living
• Data-capture tool now available: Excel workbook for use by PCTs to enter and upload their NCMP data (opens new window)

12. Private patient income cap
(Gateway reference number: 9243)

Monitor has issued a statement about the private patient income cap for NHS foundation trusts. Since September 2007, Monitor has been in correspondence with UNISON over Monitor’s approach to private patient income. This approach is set out in Monitor’s NHS Foundation Trust Financial Reporting Manual (the FT FReM). UNISON is requesting that Monitor amend this approach. This matter will be considered at the Monitor Board meeting in January 2008.

Action: NHS chief executives considering applying for NHS foundation trust status will be interested in this statement. 

• Press statement on private patient income cap (opens new window)

Conferences and events - i) what's new

13. Productive Leader events
(Gateway reference number: 9225)

David Allen’s new Releasing Time to Lead events in April 2008 focus on the concept of personal productivity. Access updated information on the NHS Productive Leader Programme by following the link below.

Action: NHS chief executives wishing to transform themselves and their teams’ working practices and release more time for leadership activities that add value should register above.  

• NHS Productive Leader - Releasing Time to Lead (opens new window)

Conferences and events - ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

14. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/090
(Gateway reference number: 9235)

Device: Anaesthetic Gas Scavenging System (AGSS) receiver, manufactured by Draeger Medical.
This Medical Device Alert was issued on 4 December 2007 to NHS trusts for action.
Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/090 (opens new window)

15. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/091
(Gateway reference number: 9236)

Device: Wound drainage set for use in theatres: Privac pre-evacuated drainage set with 10ch drain and 600ml drainage bottle. Product code 24760. Batches 12032007 and 07052007.
This Medical Device Alert was issued on 4 December 2007 to NHS trusts for action.
Further information can be found at: 

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/091 (opens new window)

16. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/092
(Gateway reference number: 9237)

Device: Total knee replacement implants. VKS, RT-Plus and TC-Plus femoral and tibial knee components manufactured by Plus Orthopaedics/Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics Ltd (specific lot numbers).
This Medical Device Alert was issued on 4 December 2007 to NHS trusts for immediate action and information request.
Further information can be found at:  

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/092 (opens new window)

17. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/093
(Gateway reference number: 9238)

Device: Paediatric respiratory support device – Infant Flow® SiPAP™ manufactured by Viasys Healthcare.
This Medical Device Alert was issued on 5 December 2007 to NHS trusts for action.
Further information can be found at:  

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/093 (opens new window)

18. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/094
(Gateway reference number: 9239)

Device: Robertshaw endobronchial tubes (rubber, disposable), all sizes. Manufactured by Pheonix Medical, a P3 Medical Ltd company.
This Medical Device Alert was issued on 6 December 2007 to NHS trusts for immediate action.
Further information can be found at:  

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/094 (opens new window)

19. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/095
(Gateway reference number: 9240)

Device: External temporary cardiac pacemaker. Bedside model 4170 serial numbers: 1 – 998. Manufactured by APC Medical Ltd.
This Medical Device Alert was issued on 6 December 2007 to NHS trusts for immediate action.
Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/095 (opens new window)

20. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2007/096
(Gateway reference number: 9241)

Device: Kimba Spring paediatric buggies manufactured by Otto Bock.
This Medical Device Alert was issued on 10 December 2007 to NHS trusts and Social Services for action.

Further information can be found at:  

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2007/096 (opens new window)