Website of the Department of Health

Consultations and evaluations

1. Consultation on amendments to the Compliance Framework
(Gateway reference number: 9456)

Monitor - the independent regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts has published a consultation document setting out their proposed amendments to the Compliance Framework from 1 April 2008. These changes take account of the Operating Framework 2008/09.

Action: NHS chief executives asked to respond before 20 March 2008.

• Consultation on amendments to the Compliance Framework (opens new window)

2. Hospice/specialist palliative care services
(Gateway & ROCR reference number: 9447 & ROCR/07/028)

A letter has been sent to PCT directors of finance, asking for information on expenditure by their PCT on hospice/specialist palliative care services for 2006/07. The information is requested by 7 March 2008. 

Action: PCT chief executives should be aware that responses will contribute to the development of the national End of Life Care Strategy. Details will be published in parallel with the strategy.

• Survey of Expenditure by Primary Care Trusts on Hospice/Specialist Palliative Care Services for the Year 2006/07

3. Direct access audiology waiting times
(Gateway & ROCR reference number: 9453 & ROCR/OR/0218)

This letter informs the service of new direct access audiology waiting times and priority treatment list (PTL) collections. Mandatory collections begin in May with voluntary collections starting later this month.  Further information is available from the audiology pages of the 18 week website. 

Action: NHS chief executives will need to ensure their trusts will be in a position to supply the data to the required timescales.

• New collection of direct access audiology waiting time and PTL data information

Publications

4. Joint working between the NHS & pharmaceutical industry
(Gateway reference number: 8926)

Best practice guidance published on 1 February 2008 will help the NHS and pharmaceutical and commercial industry enter into innovative joint working arrangements to help improve patient services.

Action: NHS chief executives can use this guidance to initiate, where appropriate, effective joint working with industry.

• Best practice guidance for joint working between the NHS and the pharmaceutical industry

5. Fluoridation of water
(Gateway reference number: 9361)

The chief dental officer has updated guidance on the contribution fluoridation can make to reducing inequalities in oral health. Barry Cockcroft’s letter covers the legislative framework, the requirement for PCTs to assess the oral health needs of their populations and good practice on preparing for and conducting consultations on proposals for new fluoridation schemes. Subject to the availability of funds, the department will reimburse SHAs for the full capital costs of fluoridations schemes.

Action: NHS chief executives are encouraged to consider whether fluoridation would offer a cost-effective option for improving oral health in their areas.

• Guidance on fluoridation of drinking water

6. Choose and Book release 4.0
(Gateway Reference number: 9285)

Significant changes to the Choose and Book software will be introduced in April 2008 to support free choice in accordance with the principles outlined in the NHS Operating Framework 2008/09. Changes are outlined along with briefing packs to support communication. The site is available to NHS web users only.

Action: NHS chief executives should note these changes in relation to providers and commissioners and ensure action is taken to prepare locally.

• Choose and Book release 4.0 (available to NHS web users only) (opens new window)

7. PCT Procurement Framework
(Gateway reference number: 9153)

The Equitable Access in Primary Medical Care (EAPMC) Programme - PCT Procurement Framework is now available on the DH website, providing a comprehensive procurement toolkit for PCTs.  

Action: PCT chief executives should consider this guidance on best practice commercial positions and considerations that need to be made for local procurements.

• Equitable access to primary medical care services: procurement at PCTs

8. Independent report measures data quality of independent sector providers (ISPs)
(Gateway Reference number: 9457 )

The NHS Information Centre has published the latest data quality report for independent sector NHS funded treatment, covering quarters one and two 2007/08.

Action: Use this report to understand the quality of information submitted by ISPs.

• Data quality assessment reports (opens new window)

9. Budget setting interpretation indicators available
(Gateway Reference number: 9459 )

NHS Comparators now helps to support the Department of Health guidance on budget setting interpretation indicators. The site, available to NHS web users only, is password protected. To register for a password please telephone 0845 300 6016.

Action: NHS chief executives can use NHS Comparators to support the analysis of practice budgets and to provide a budget setting interpretation function of issues relating to practice based commissioning.

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

10. Short breaks for people with dementia fact sheet
(Gateway Reference number: 9433 )

This Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP) has launched a new fact sheet as part of the National Dementia Strategy and Implementation Plan work programme. It provides information on a variety of innovative models of short breaks, reviews the available evidence and suggests principles to enable user and carer outcomes to be met. It includes some examples of innovative practice, with contact details.

Action: Access the fact sheet from:

• Government project to produce the first ever national dementia strategy: work programme

11. Erratum: Improving access to GP services: proposed changes to GMS contract 2008/9
(Gateway Reference number: 9462 )

There was an error in Mark Britnell’s letter to SHA chief executives, directors of commissioning, directors of performance and primary care leads on 30 January. In Annex B 1- Reception Open, the second paragraph, final sentence should read:
‘It should be noted that only additional opening will count towards the 50% target – ie, where a practice opens for three hours on a Saturday morning, but closes for the same length of time on a Thursday afternoon would not count’.

Action: All SHA chief executives to note.

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

12. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2008/004
(Gateway reference number: 9458 )

Device: Umbilical cord clamp clipper manufactured by Unomedical Ltd

Action: This Medical Device Alert was issued on 30 January 2008 to NHS trusts for action/update.

• Medical Device Alert - MDA/2008/004 (opens new window)