Website of the Department of Health

Vision for primary and community care published Focus on health outcomes for patients

A new vision for primary and community care focuses on services that create more choice and control for patients, as well improving health outcomes and securing better quality of care. The strategy, linked to the Next Stage Review report, sets out action to support the local NHS and clinicians in leading change, including improving practice based commissioning, piloting new models of integrated care, a programme to transform community health services, and support for PCTs in applying world class commissioning to primary care.

• See the strategy

Smokefree law has wide public support Big increase in those quitting

A survey looking at the first year of the smokefree legislation reveals extensive public support for the new laws. Results in ‘Smokefree England: One Year On’ show that 76 percent of people and 55 percent of smokers back the law. Bar worker exposure to hazardous second hand smoke has been reduced by 76 percent and the law has created a more supportive environment to help smokers quit the habit, with a 22 percent increase in the number of people quitting with local NHS stop smoking services.

• Read the survey

Policy news

1. Social workers recruited from abroad (Gateway reference: 10161)

From 1 October 2008 the social care councils in the UK will be changing the qualification equivalency for social workers trained and qualified outside the UK to join the Social Care Register (SCR), so that they can practice as a social worker in the UK. The degree in social work has now become the dominant qualification for those entering the profession, replacing the Diploma in Social Work, so the qualification equivalency will be changed to reflect degree standard and introduce a minimum requirement of supervised and assessed practice.

Action: Directors of social care need to know about this change and should alert colleagues involved in the recruitment of qualified social workers.

• GSCC - Social Care Register (opens new window)

Consultations and evaluations

No news this week

Publications

2. National survey of trainers and trainees (Gateway reference number: 10147

The Post Medical Education and Training Board has just completed the first National Survey of Trainers and its second National Survey of Trainees. These surveys show how training within your organisation is perceived and how it measures against others across the UK.

Action: You can view survey outcomes to see how your training schemes measure against other local education providers. Full analysis will be available at the end of July.

• PMETB reporting site (opens new window)
• PMETB National Surveys (opens new window)

Conferences and events - i) what’s new

3. Primary care commissioning and health inequalities (Gateway reference number: 10149

This conference on the 17 July will provide commissioners of primary care, and commissioning, with examples of how successful procurement can benefit the health of PCT populations by addressing local health inequalities

Action:  PCTs can register and find details at the above link. Spearhead areas are particularly encouraged to apply.

• NHS PCC Commissioning to Address Health Inequalities
  (opens new window)

4. World class commissioning analytical fair (Gateway reference number: 10159)

This free event on 14 July in London, sponsored by the NHS Information Centre, is for commissioners of NHS-funded care and social care to share their successes, experiences and challenges related to using data and information to inform decision-making and achieve world class commissioning.

Action:  Trusts can nominate relevant staff to attend.

• NHS Information Centre World class commissioning analytical fair (opens new window)

Conferences and events - ii) places still available

5. Taking the lead – engaging people and communities (Gateway reference number: 10150)

This free one-day conference on 8 July in London focuses on engaging people and communities to help organisations deliver world class services. The day will also highlight the implications from Lord Darzi’s Next Stage Review final report, High quality care for all, the recently launched draft NHS Constitution and other government initiatives. Speakers include David Nicholson, Mark Britnell and Joan Saddler, National Director of Patient and Public Affairs.

Action:  You can still register via this link for the few remaining places and NHS chief executives, chairs and board directors responsible for commissioning and service improvements are welcome.

• Taking the Lead - Engaging People and Communities Conference (opens new window)

Patient safety alerts

6. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2008/043 (Gateway reference number: 10153)

Device: Pregnancy test kits- Clinitest hCG Cassette, lot numbers 97552 and 97574 (professional use only), manufactured by Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics.
This Medical Device Alert was issued on 24 June 2008 to NHS trusts for immediate action.
Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2008/043 (opens new window)

7. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2008/045 (Gateway reference number: 10154)

Device: Gambro and Hospal blood sets (lot numbers 0806 – 0817).
This Medical Device Alert was issued on 30 June 2008 to NHS trusts for immediate action.
Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2008/045 (opens new window)

8. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2008/044 (Gateway reference number: 10155)

 Device: Action³ manual wheelchair with fixed back and height adjustable push handles manufactured by Invacare.
This Medical Device Alert was issued on 26 June 2008 to NHS trusts for action.
Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2008/044 (opens new window)

9. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2008/046 (Gateway reference number:10156 )

 Device: Lancing devices (used in pharmacy settings) – all brands.
This Medical Device Alert was issued on 1 July 2008 to NHS trusts for action.
Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2008/046 (opens new window)