Website of the Department of Health
Please note that this website has a UK government access keys system.
Page menu
Bulletins
- the week
- the month
- Allied health professionals bulletin
- CDO update
- CNO bulletin
- Children, Families and Maternity bulletin
- Emergency care bulletin
- Equality and human rights bulletin
- GP bulletin
- Medical directors' bulletin
- Social care bulletin
- NHS Choices update
- NHS workforce bulletin
- Non-exec bulletin
- Shared services bulletin
- CSO bulletin (discontinued)
- Bulletins library search
You are here:
- Home >>
- Publications >>
- Bulletins >>
- the week
the week: issue 44, 2 - 8 May 2008
-
Last modified date:8 May 2008
-
Series number:44
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.
Select a section
On the agenda
Deprived areas receive - GP boost PCTs to open 100 practices
Twelve PCTs will receive money to help them open new GP practices in some of the most service-deprived areas in England. The PCTs will each receive over £1.1 million by 2010/11 to fund at least 100 new GP practices and 152 GP-led health centres.
The first practices are expected to open in less than a year. A consultation will also shortly be launched with the BMA on a proposed £105 million investment in existing GP practices to further expand clinical services and to improve access for patients.
New support for stroke services - £77m for local authorities and SHAs
Local authorities and SHAs will benefit from a new Government committtment to spend £77 million over the next three years to help deliver key markers in its Stroke Strategy. It means every local authority in England will have a ring-fenced grant worth an average of £100,000 per year.
This money could fund dedicated stroke care coordinators to support stroke survivors and their carers. Each SHA will also receive £2.4 million over three years to invest in improvements to acute services, such as speedier response to stroke and better access to rehabilitation.
Register now for Chief Executive’s conference - Key challenges examined
You can still 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.
Policy news
No news this week
Consultations and evaluations
No news this week
Publications
1. Human papilloma virus vaccination (Gateway reference number: 9780)
This letter from the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, which explains the introduction of new routine human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination for 2008/09, is aimed at health professionals who will be taking part in the programme, or need to be aware of its introduction.
Action: The HPV programme starts in autumn 2008 and trusts need to start planning for it.
2. Removal of sensitive patient data (Gateway reference number: 9864)
Providers of NHS funded care need to remove sensitive data - patient identifiers for specific specialities, diseases and operations - before submitting Commissioning Dataset (CDS) data to the Secondary Uses Service (SUS).
Action: Chief executives should comply with these guidelines in order to meet the terms of a national code of practice.
3. NHS and climate change (Gateway reference number: 9851)
The seventh Healthy Futures publication from the Sustainable Development Commission looks at why and how the NHS can take serious action against climate change, and how by reducing carbon emissions and encouraging healthier lifestyles it can combat climate change, save money, and achieve health benefits on many levels. Hard copies are available by contacting Edna Elcome on 020 7270 6162.
Action: This publication makes clear how sustainable development can contribute to health improvement, reduce inequalities and improve efficiency.
4. Integrated drug treatment funding (Gateway reference number: 9563)
The Department of Health recently announced that the investment in prison clinical drug treatment, part of a prison integrated drug treatment system (IDTS), will rise to £24.4m in 2008/09. At the same time it announced indicative allocations of £39m for 2009/10 and £43m for 2010/11. Allocations based on those prisons who will be operating IDTS in 2008/09 can be found at "Integrated Drug Treatment System for Prisons (IDTS): allocations for 2008/09"
Action: Trusts who have prisons in their locality will want to be aware of this investment in drug treatment services.
5. Young people's substance misuse (Gateway reference number: 9877)
Funding for local areas to reduce young people's substance misuse in England is confirmed in the attached letter to PCT chief executives. This funding is a change from recent years. It previously went via local authorities but is now going through PCTs.
Action: This additional allocation of funding is now available to PCTs to combat substance misuse.
6. Education and health partnership grant (Gateway reference number: 9848)
This letter and its attachment explains the Department of Health and Department of Children, Schools and Families’ contribution to the Area Based Grant, in recognition of the benefits to children and young people of schools participating in the National Healthy Schools Programme.
Action: The funding allocated to each local programme will be of direct interest to chief executives and directors of social care.
7. Mental Health Act 2007 revised code (Gateway reference number: 9677)
As the latest step in implementing the Mental Health Act 2007, a revised Mental Health Act 1983 Code of Practice and new secondary legislation have now been issued. Subject to Parliament they will come into force, along with the main changes to the 1983 Act, on 3 November 2008.
Action: Trusts and local authorities should ensure they are fully familiar with the revised code, new secondary legislation and all the changes made by the 2007 Act.
8. World class commissioning monthly update (Gateway reference number: 9893)
Monthly updates on the world class commissioning programme can now be found on the DH website. Updates include a general summary letter from the Director of Commissioning, Gary Belfield, and an in-depth update on commissioning assurance.
Action: NHS managers need to familiarise themselves with the programme.
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
9. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2008/030 (Gateway reference number: 9884)
Device: Surgical blades manufactured by ConMed Linvatec Hall®.
This Medical Device Alert was issued on 29 April 2008 to NHS trusts for action.
Further information can be found at:
10. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2008/031 (Gateway reference number: 9885)
Device: Walking frames for adults and children manufactured by Trulife Limited.
This Medical Device Alert was issued on 30 April 2008 to NHS trusts for action.
Further information can be found at:
Additional links
Ordering publications
Contact details for obtaining hard-copy DH publications.
Help viewing PDFs
Useful tips to ensure you get the most from PDFs and the free Reader program. Topics covered include accessibility, troubleshooting and searching files.
Access keys
