Website of the Department of Health

Next Stage Review vision documents launched - SHA events roll out across country

SHAs have been holding launch events for their NHS Next Stage Review vision documents. These draw together the themes from the work of the eight clinical pathway groups in each region, and will be the basis of Lord Darzi’s final report in the summer.

The East of England SHA began the process in Cambridge on 12 May, followed by events in Leeds, Torquay, Basingstoke and Manchester. The final launch will be in the East Midlands on 5 June.

• View "Local Visions" at Our NHS, our future homepage (opens new window)

Primary care access reports welcomed - Focus on BME patients’ experience

Two related reports on primary care access have been welcomed by the Government. They are from the National Improvement Team for Primary Care Access and Responsiveness, led by David Colin-Thome, and a group chaired by Professor Mayur Lakhani CBE.

Both recommend 10 areas of best practice that should be shared across the NHS to improve the patient experience – with a particular emphasis on BME patients who currently report lower satisfaction than other groups.

• Health Secretary welcomes recommendations to improve GP access - press release (opens new window)

Policy news

1. Aiming High for Disabled Children (Gateway reference number: 9888)

The Department for Children Schools and Families and the Department of Health have announced that the Together for Disabled Children (TDC) partnership has been awarded the contract to support local authorities and PCTs with the delivery of the Aiming High for Disabled Children short breaks and parents’ forum programmes.

Action: The TDC partnership will be contacting local authorities and PCTs shortly to set out in more detail how they will work together.

• Department for Children, Schools and Families: National Support Body for Short Breaks and Parents' forums (opens new window)

Consultations and evaluations

2. Business Case Approval Guidance (Gateway reference number: 9919)

The Department of Health is consulting on business case approval guidance for PCTs with existing Local Improvement Finance Trusts (LIFTs).

Action: Trusts need to submit their responses by 31 July 2008. 

• Consultation on business case approval guidance for primary care trusts with existing LIFTs

Publications

3. Departmental Report 2008 (Gateway reference number: 9724)

The eighteenth annual report of the Department of Health has been published and is a major statement of Government policy.

Action: The report is a key source of information about health and social care spending programmes and initiatives. For further information contact Mike Harris on 0113 254 6012.

• Department of Health: Departmental Report 2008

4. Additional Supply Capability and Capacity (Gateway reference number: 9947)

This letter from NHS Connecting for Health's Chief Operating Officer and Interim Director of Programme and Systems Delivery, announces the availability of the Additional Supply Capability and Capacity (ASCC) framework contracts.

Action: Chief executives can use this to source an additional, optional procurement route for future IT services. The letter is available to NHS Web users only at:

• Letter: Additional Supply Capability and Capacity (ASCC) Framework Contracts (available to NHS Web users only) (opens new window)

5. Tobacco control: 10 high impact changes (Gateway reference number: 8877)

The National Support Team for Tobacco Control has published this document which sets out key examples of good practice and guidance that aims to achieve a sustainable and integrated approach to tobacco control at local level.

Action: This report clearly identifies to chief executives and directors of social care the need for high level strategic support to achieve tobacco control locally.

• Excellence in Tobacco Control: 10 high impact changes to achieve tobacco control

Conferences and events - i) what’s new

6. Consultation event on the framework for registration (Gateway number: 9667)

There will be an additional consultation event in London on 10 June, which will be chaired by Baroness Young. The agenda will include feedback on emerging messages from the consultation and a chance to ask Baroness Young about her vision for the Care Quality Commission.

Action: NHS trusts and social care directors can register their interest in attending by visiting ‘Events’ at:

• The future regulation of health and adult social care in England: a consultation on the framework for the registration of health and adult social care providers

Conferences and events - ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

7. Rapid Response Report: Risks of Chest Drain Insertion - Reference NPSA/2008/RRR003 (Gateway number: 9871)

The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has alerted the NHS to the risks associated with inserting chest drains, commonly used on patients with chest trauma, collapsed lungs, or after surgery, to remove air and fluids.

Drainage tubes should only be inserted by trained staff with relevant competencies and adequate supervision. Due to the risk of damaging internal organs through poor positioning, the NPSA strongly supports the use of ultrasound when positioning a drain.

Acton: NHS chief executives should take these recommendations on board to make the use of chest drains safer.

• National Patient Safety Agency: Risks of chest drain insertion (opens new window)

8. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2008/032 (Gateway reference number: 9966)

Device: Robertshaw endobronchial tubes (PVC, disposable) all sizes – manufactured by Phoenix Medical, a P3 Medical Ltd company.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 14 May 2008 to NHS trusts for immediate action.

Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2008/032 (opens new window)

9. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2008/033 (Gateway reference number: 9967)

Device: Masimo Rainbow Rad-57 Pulse CO-Oximeter.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 20 May 2008 to NHS trusts for action.

Further information can be found at: 

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2008/033 (opens new window)