Website of the Department of Health

Consultations and evaluations

1. Review of the Information Centre’s survey programme (Gateway Reference number: 9338)

The Information Centre for Health and Social Care (IC) has consulted informally with their direct customers and some users to obtain a picture of current use and future data requirements. This preliminary exercise produced a set of suggested elements for the IC’s future role plus an outline design for a new health and social care survey.

Action: NHS chief executives are asked to comment.

• The Information Centre - Consultations (opens new window)

2. NHS Direct’s public consultation on becoming a foundation trust (Gateway Reference number: 9328)

NHS Direct is conducting a public consultation on its plans to become an NHS foundation trust and is keen for as many people as possible to take part. The consultation runs until Monday 31 March 2008.

Actions: NHS chief executives are invited to give their views, get involved in NHS Direct by signing up to become a member and find out what becoming a member actually entails.

• NHS Direct - Foundation Trust zone (opens new window)

3. Suspending chairs and non-executives of PCTs and other NHS trusts from office (Gateway reference number: 9383)

The Department of Health is seeking views on introducing powers of suspension to enable the Secretary of State to direct the Appointments Commission to suspend chairs or non-executives of PCTs or other NHS trusts.

Action: NHS chief executives, non-executives and NHS chairs wishing to comment on the proposals, which will be of particular interest, should respond by 6 March 2008. 

• Removing or suspending chairs and non-executives from PCTs and NHS Trusts: consultation on introducing powers of suspension

4. The Health Care and Associated Professions (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Gateway reference number: 9277)

This No 2 Order 2008 is the second in a series of orders that will take forward the reforms of professional regulation identified in the White Paper ‘Trust assurance and safety’. It concentrates on reforms set out in the White Paper, but also includes measures required to deliver other legislative requirements.

Action: NHS chief executives interested in responding should do so by 22 March 2008.

• Health Care and Associated Professions (Miscellaneous Amendments) No 2 Order 2008 - a paper for consultation.

5. Family Nurse Partnership 2008-09 (Gateway reference number: 9371)

The 2008/09 bidding guidance for PCT/LAs who wish to test the Family Nurse Partnership in their area has been published, with bids to be submitted (electronically only) by 29 February 2008 to Joe Farrell and Kathryn Nessling.

Action: NHS chief executives to note the guidance to inform bid to become a second wave site in 2008/09 and whether they wish to participate in the research trial from 2008-09 to 2011.

• Joe.Farrell@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)
• Kathryn.Nessling@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)
• Family Nurse Partnership 2008-09 recruitment of second wave of sites - bidding process and criteria

6. Technology implementation projects (Gateway reference number: 9348)

The NHS National Technology Adoption Hub invites applications from the healthcare community in relation to technologies that may be considered appropriate for six technology implementation projects to begin in spring 2008. Further information and application details including a memorandum of information with selection criteria are available on the hub’s website.

Action: NHS trust and PCT chief executives should support colleagues considering submitting a proposal. They should submit proposals by 15 February 2008.

• NHS National Technology Adoption Hub - Call for proposals for six technologyimplementation projects (opens new window)

Publications

7. 18 week indicators available on NHS Comparators (Gateway reference number: 9366)

NHS Comparators now allows an initial commissioner and provider view on the delivery of  the 18 week target.

Action: NHS chief executives can use NHS Comparators to support the local delivery and identification of issues relating to the 18 week target. The site, available to NHS web users only, is password protected. To register for a password please telephone the contact centre on 0845 300 6016.

• NHS Comparators (available to NHS web users only) (opens new window)

8. National Institute for Health Research progress report (Gateway reference number: 9298)

The National Institute for Health Research has published a two-year progress report describing the achievements made in implementing the government’s best research for best health research strategy.

Action: NHS chief executives will be interested in the results and implications for their organisations.

• Transforming health research: the first two years - National Institute for Health Research progress report 2006-2008

9. Good practice in learning disability nursing (Gateway reference number: 8748)

This good practice guidance is provided in the context of national concern regarding the appropriateness and effectiveness of healthcare provided to people with a learning disability.

Action: NHS chief executives are invited to consider how the benchmarks and recommendations in this report may help improve services provided by developing learning disability nursing practice.

• Good practice in learning disability nursing

10. 18 weeks inter-provider transfers (Gateway reference number: 9378 )

DSCN 44/2007 informs the NHS and its systems suppliers of the mandation of the Inter-Provider Transfer Administrative Minimum Data Set (IPTAMDS) from the 1 January 2008 with full conformance from the service from April 2008. 

Action: NHS chief executives should check that they have the necessary processes in place within their organisations to ensure that the minimum data set is transferred for all 18 week patients referred to another provider for care. This will enable monitoring against the 18 week target.

• 18 weeks: Inter-provider Transfers (opens new window)

11. Update on the electronic staff record project (Gateway reference number: 9382 )

The implementation of the NHS ESR project has been a significant achievement and is on track to complete by the end of March 2008. Catch up on current news and developments in this month’s ESR News.

Action: NHS chief executives wishing to find out more should visit the weblink, or to subscribe email:

• communications@esrsolution.co.uk (opens new window)
• ESR News archive (opens new window)

12. NICE publishes public health guidance on physical activity and the environment (Gateway reference number: 9388 )

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance on promoting and creating built or natural environments that encourage and support physical activity.  All the recommendations are relevant when developing joint NHS and local authority strategies. They are also relevant when planning and managing the NHS (including its premises).

Action: NHS chief executives should be aware of NICE's guidance when planning and managing the NHS and developing joint NHS and local authority strategies to support physical activity.

• NICE - Physical activity and environment (opens new window)

13. Pooled Drug Treatment budget allocations 2008/09 (Gateway reference number: 9384)

On 10 January, the Department of Health announced 2008/09 allocations for the Pooled Drug Treatment budget.

Action: NHS chief executives will be interested in this letter, including allocations at PCT level.

• Allocation of Pooled Drug Treatment Budget (PTB) Funding and Delivery of NHS Drug Treatment Indicator 2008-2011

14. Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) roll-out complete (Gateway reference number: 9389 )

All hospital trusts are now using PACS, the technology which allows x-rays and scanned images to be stored electronically and viewed simultaneously at multiple locations. The roll-out of PACS has been a major element in the National Programme for IT. The PACS programme will now focus on further technical developments such as improved sharing of images between trusts.

Action: NHS chief executives may be interested in learning more about PACS, given its role in supporting improved clinical decision-making and the 18 week referral to treatment initiative.

• Government News Network - Roll out of digital technology revolutionises NHS patient care in England (opens new window)

15. Getting off cigarettes campaign (Gateway reference number: 9390 )

Smokers are up to four times more likely to quit successfully with NHS support. This is the focus of the new ‘Getting Off Cigarettes’ advertising campaign, launched in January.  As part of this healthcare professionals, who have a key referral role, have been sent a letter offering campaign support materials.

Action: NHS chief executives may wish to call 0800 917 6699 for the new ‘Get Support’ DVD which explains the different services available.

• NHS Choices - Go Smokefree (opens new window)

Conferences and events - i) what's new

16. VOICE 08 - UK conference for social enterprise (Gateway reference number: 9368)

This conference on 26-27 February 2008 is a chance to meet exciting social entrepreneurs and see how social enterprise can strengthen communities and provide innovative solutions to local issues and challenges.

Action: NHS and social care chief executives can find out further information and register by visiting:

• Voice08 (opens new window)

17. Changes to payment by results information event (Gateway reference number: 9379)

From 1 April 2009 the national tariff will be based on a revised, more up-to-date currency - HRG4

Action: NHS chief executives should ensure their organisation takes advantage of  these information events (including one with a clinical focus) in order to understand and prepare for  the impact of this change.

• The Information Centre - Prepare for HRG4 (opens new window)

Conferences and events - ii) places still available

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Patient safety alerts

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