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the week: issue 41, 11 - 17 April 2008

  • Last modified date:
    18 April 2008

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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On the agenda

Register now for Chief Executive’s conference - Key challenges examined

You can now register via the weblink for the NHS Chief Executive’s conference at the Riverbank Park Plaza Hotel in London on 16 May. The event will provide a timely opportunity to look at the challenges in delivering against some of the key pledges such as 18 weeks and healthcare associated infections. Emerging findings from the local visions that have been developed ahead of the the Next Stage Review report in the summer will be shared. The conference is by invitation only, invites may not be passed on to colleagues.

New diabetes report published - Improving emergency and inpatient care

A new report aimed at helping commissioners and providers implement the Diabetes National Service Framework has been published. It provides findings, recommendations and tools to encourage and support the improvement emergency and inpatient care for people with diabetes. The report was produced by group of diabetes representatives, convened by Diabetes National Clinical Director Sue Roberts and chaired by Mike Sampson, who worked in partnership with the National Institute for Innovation and Improvement.

The report can be ordered in hard copy by emailing Prolog (see link below) or telephoning 08701 555455 quoting NDST064.

Child mental health consultation - Join the debate

A call for evidence into a review of the health, educational and social care needs of children and young people at risk of mental health problems has been launched. The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) review is a joint initiative from the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, and has been tasked with examining recent progress towards improving services. It will also make practical recommendations to further improve the commissioning and delivery of services. The consultation closes on 4 July.

Policy news

No news this week

Consultations and evaluations

1. Deep clean programme (Gateway reference number: 9765)

 Delivery of the deep clean programme was due on 31 March 2008. The Department of Health (DH) is compiling examples of good practice to inform future action.

Action: Case studies on deep cleaning good practice are requested, particularly where there is objective evidence of improvement.

Publications


2. Increasing organ donation (Gateway reference number : 9693)

The work to support carrying out recommendations leading to a 50 percent increase in organ donation rates in the UK within five years will be led by Chris Rudge, the newly appointed National Clinical Director for Transplant. He will be reporting to NHS Medical Director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh. Significant extra resources have been made available to support this from 2008/09.

Action: Action within trusts will be required to help increase organ donor rates.

3. Nationally commissioned specialist services (Gateway reference number: 9771)

This letter gives information about changes to the portfolio of the National Commissioning Group (NCG) from 2008/09 and about other changes to national commissioning arrangements from April 2008.

Action: Trusts will need to take note of these changes to national commissioning arrangements.

4. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Implementation Tool (Gateway reference number: 9773)

The Department has developed an implementation tool that local Mental Capacity Act implementation networks may wish to use when estimating the number of assessments and staff that are likely to be required in 2009/10.

Action: Directors of adult social care services and NHS chief executives will be interested in this tool as it will help the development of local estimates of the number of assessments and staff required by the safeguards.

5. Genetics White Paper review (Gateway reference number: 9501)

The Department of Health (DH) published the review on 16 April, which outlines progress made since the publication of the White Paper.

Action: The Genetics White Paper review can guide trusts on how specifically they can help with implementation.

6. Fees for NHS pharmaceutical applications (Gateway reference number: 9517)

These fees from pharmacies or appliance contractors take effect from 21 April. Details of the fee scales to be applied under directions to PCTs and supplementary information are now available.

Action: PCT chief executives should ensure the correct fees are paid by applicants from this date.

Conferences and events - i) what’s new

7. Veterans Day celebrations (Gateway reference number: 9762)

Veterans Day was introduced in 2006 to recognise the contribution made by veterans and the next Veterans Day is 27 June. 2008 is also the 100th anniversary of the Territorial Army (TA).  Trusts will have many staff and patients who are veterans or members of the TA and might like to celebrate these events.

Action: Local events should be considered to recognise the contribution made by veterans and members of the TA.

8. Child Health Promotion Programme (Gateway reference number: 9775)

The Child Health Promotion Programme (CHPP) was launched by the Department of Health (DH) and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) in March. A national conference is planned on Wednesday 18 June 2008 in London. The aim of the conference is to share the strategic aims of the new CHPP, to inform commissioning and support local delivery. The conference is free of charge so places are strictly limited.

Action: Trust managers and commissioners of children’s services can register and download an agenda at:

9. Regulation of primary care (Gateway reference number: 9778)

Two consultation events are being held on 6 May in Leeds and a date in mid-May in London yet to be confirmed, for people with an interest in the regulation of primary medical care and primary dental care.

Action: Those who want to attend can access details on the DH website alongside the registration consultation document.

Conferences and events ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

10. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2008/023 (Gateway reference number: 9776

Device: Hospira butterfly winged needle infusion set – regular and intermittent. All batches manufactured prior to April 2008.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 7 April 2008 to NHS trusts for immediate action. Further information can be found at:

11. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2008/024 (Gateway reference number: 9777)

Device: Invasive blood pressure monitoring sets: LogiCal, NovaTrans and TranStar models with trigger flush device manufactured by Smiths Medical. Manufactured from October 2007 to February 2008 inclusive.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 7 April 2008 to NHS trusts for immediate action and information request. Further information can be found at:

12. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2008/025 (Gateway reference number: 9779)

Device: Frazier and Poole suction instruments used in surgery. Manufactured by ConMed Corporation.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 14 April 2008 to NHS trusts for action. Further information can be found at:

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