Website of the Department of Health

Next Stage Review web conference with David Nicholson - Register now for places

David Nicholson will be hosting a live web conference on Tuesday 1 July  from NHS Live with chief executives to discuss the Next Stage Review. Clare Chapman and Mark Britnell will be joining David. and there will be an opportunity to submit questions to them beforehand. 

The web conference will take place from 11.45am –12.30pm.  Places are limited to register your interest in taking part see:

• Next Stage Review web conference (opens new window)

Celebrating 60 years of research - Increased patient involvement announced

A new report to commemorate ‘60 years of research in the NHS benefiting patients’ is now available. Speaking at a summit to commemorate the milestone, Health Secretary Alan Johnson set out new plans to ensure that patients are made aware of research that is of particular relevance to them. This could mean a patient with Parkinson's disease, for example, would be told about any ongoing research into their condition and may be able to take part in trials that could lead to an improvement or even cure. 

• NIHR Publications: 60 years of research in the NHS benefiting patients (opens new window)
• Press release: 60 years of NHS research - more involvement and choice for patients (opens new window)

Policy news

No news this week

Consultations and evaluations

1. Adult social care workforce strategy (Gateway reference number: 9992)

This interim statement identifies the key issues for the workforce as set out in Putting People First and develops these into broader, strategic workforce priorities. It provides all stakeholders, whether public service or private and voluntary sector, with a high-level overview of strategy development prior to finalisation of the full adult social care workforce strategy.

Action: You can submit views and answers to questions posed in the statement by Friday 12 September 2008 to:

• socialcareworkforcestrategy@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)
• Putting People First - working to make it happen: adult social care workforce strategy - interim statement

2. Controlling prices of branded NHS medicines (Gateway reference number: 10092)

Following agreement on key components of a new Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme, DH has launched a consultation on proposals for a statutory scheme controlling the prices of branded NHS medicines from 1 September 2008.  These measures will apply to companies who do not sign up to the voluntary scheme.

Action: Trusts can comment by 15 July 2008 on a statutory price freeze and by 25 September 2008 on the price cut and measures to limit the prices of out of patent brands.

• Consultation on a statutory scheme to control the prices of branded NHS medicines

Publications

3. Publication of 2007 abortion data (Gateway reference number: 10098 )

The 2007 data shows increases in abortions for those aged under 18. Guidance on the importance of improving access to contraception, including use of new funding, to support reductions in teenage conceptions can be accessed through the link below.

Action: There is important information here for PCTs about improving access to contraception.

• Statement on Contraception and Teenage Pregnancy

4. New NHS contracts e-bulletin (Gateway reference number: 10109 )

This is the second edition in a series of monthly updates on the development of new standard NHS contracts for mental health, community and ambulance services. This edition provides updates on the review exercises currently being undertaken for mental health and acute services.

Action: Chief executives are invited to study these updates in preparation for implementation in 2009.

• Development of new NHS contracts

5. External support for commissioners (Gateway reference number: 10125)

This letter is to inform PCT chief executives of revised FESC (Framework for procuring External Support for Commissioners) governance requirements for PCTs to follow, giving a streamlined procurement timetable. The commercial and technical support role will increasingly move from DH to SHAs. To assist this, FESC awareness sessions and workshops are being arranged through SHAs.

Action: PCT chief executives need to know about this updated procurement process.

• Progress with FESC

Conferences and events - i) what’s new

6. NHS Live online and on TV (Gateway reference number: 10113)

The NHS Live: energising innovation conference, part of the NHS 60th celebrations, will be streamed live via the internet on 1 July.  Speakers include David Nicholson, Lord Darzi and Health Minister Ann Keen.  Proceedings will also be broadcast on Sky TV.

Action: You can register now for NHS Live online at:

• Watch NHS Live: energising innovation online or on TV (opens new window)

Conferences and events - ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

7. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2008/041 (Gateway reference number: 10119)

Device: Electrosurgical single-use, sterile blades and needles. ‘Universal’ and ‘Ultraclean’ electrodes manufactured by ConMed.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 17 June 2008 to NHS trusts for action.

Further information can be found at: 

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2008/041 (opens new window)

8. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2008/040 (Gateway reference number: 10118)

Device: Chest drain: Thoraseal II chest drainage unit manufactured by Covidien, formerly Tyco Healthcare. Catalogue number: 1180571570 Batch Numbers: 07I742E, 07I751E, 07J513E NHS Supply Chain code: FSW176

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 17 June 2008 to NHS trusts for action.

Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2008/040 (opens new window)

9. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2008/042 (Gateway reference number: 10117)

Device: FocalSim radiotherapy treatment planning software manufactured by Computerized Medical Systems Inc.
FocalSim software versions 4.3.1 to 4.34.02 inclusive.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 18 June 2008 to NHS trusts for immediate action.

Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2008/042 (opens new window)