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the week: issue 68, 17 - 23 October 2008

  • Last modified date:
    29 October 2008
  • Series number:
    68

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

NHS Operating Framework - An update

The NHS Management Board met last week to discuss the Operating Framework and the NHS's priorities for the coming years.

The Management Board noted that as a result of successive generous spending settlements and the excellent financial management across the NHS that has been achieved over the last few years, the NHS is on a firm financial footing for the years ahead.

While the NHS’s current financial position is settled for this spending review period, good financial planning means that the Board needs to plan on a longer-term basis. This means looking to at least a five-year timeframe rather than just the next two years.

At the same time, a new funding formula and tariff calculations are being introduced.  These are complex changes that the Board decided needed to be refined further to enable robust financial planning in the NHS.

The NHS Management Board have therefore decided to delay publishing the Operating Framework in order for these changes to be properly worked through and to allow the necessary time to reach a view around the longer-term financial assumptions towards the end of the year.

18 Weeks and C. difficile - New figures show excellent progress in priority areas

The NHS has made excellent progress towards its 18 weeks target and efforts in tackling C.difficileinfections, according to new statistics.

Department of Health statistics for August show that the NHS in England treated 90 percent of patients who require admission to hospital and 95 percent of patients not needing admission, within 18 weeks of referral. This is the operational standard set for 18 Weeks, and the NHS overall has reached this five months ahead of the end of December deadline.

Additionally, Health Protection Agency quarterly figures on C.difficileinfections released today report excellent progress on efforts to reduce C.difficileinfections.

Self-referrals for patients - Ministers give their backing

Ministers have backed plans to give patients the freedom to self-refer for services such as physiotherapy and podiatry in moves which will further empower patients and cut waiting times.

Some areas already back self-referrals however the Department is now giving the green light to others.

Recent research carried out by the Department of Health in partnership with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy showed self-referral can help speed access, increase satisfaction and reduce patient absenteesim from work.

Policy news

1. Mental Health Act 2007 – extension of victims’ rights (Gateway reference number: 9658)

From 3 November, victims’ rights under the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004 will be extended to victims of offenders detained as unrestricted patients under Part 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983. Guidance has been published explaining the new duties on the NHS and those bodies, which fund placements in the independent sector.

Action: NHS and local authority chief executives should ensure their organisations understand the new duties.

Consultations and evaluations

2. Consultation on safeguarding adults (Gateway reference number: 10624)

Department of Health Minister Phil Hope launched a cross governmental consultation on the 'No Secrets' guidance on 16 October.

Action: Local authority and NHS chief executives are asked to encourage responses to:

Publications

3. National Infarct Angioplasty Project (Gateway reference number: 10590)

The National Infarct Angioplasty Project (NIAP) investigated the feasibility of using primary angioplasty as the main treatment for heart attack in place of thrombolysis. NIAP found that roll out is feasible within three years in most areas of the country and that a 24/7 service which delivers treatment within 120 minutes of a patient call for help achieves optimal outcomes.

Action: NHS chief executives should consider the report’s findings and make necessary arrangements for implementation.

4. National Specialised Commissioning Group annual report (Gateway reference number: 10708)

The National Specialised Commissioning Group’s 2007/2008 annual report summarises the establishment of Specialised Commissioning Groups. It also summarises the key developments and achievements of the National Commissioning Group.

Action: This will be of interest to NHS chief executives as it summarises the progress of Specialised Commissioning Groups during 2007/08.

5. Pharmacy practice leaflet- clinical governance requirements (Gateway reference number: 9882)

The requirements to fulfil paragraph 26(2)(a)(i)  of Schedule 1 to the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2005, are now available. 

Action: PCT chief executives will wish to be aware of this as part of their pharmaceutical services contract monitoring arrangements.

6. Individual Budgets pilot evaluation report (Gateway reference number: 10745)

The independent evaluation of the Department of Health’s Individual Budgets pilot has been published.  A combined team from The University of York Social Policy Research Unit, the Personal Social Services Research Units of Manchester University, London School of Economics and University of Kent, and King's College London wrote the report.

Action: NHS and local authority chief executives will wish to be aware of the report findings as they impact on the delivery of adult social care and the development of personal health budgets.

7. Launch of Human Rights in Healthcare framework (Gateway reference number: 10482)

The Department of Health has launched the ‘Human Rights in Healthcare – A framework for local action’, and ‘Human Rights in Healthcare – A short introduction’.

Action: NHS chief executives need to be aware of their obligations under the Human Rights Act 1998.

8. Partnerships for Older People Projects (Gateway reference number: 10555 and 10557)

The Partnerships for Older People Projects programme has produced an interim report, along with accompanying resource pack on 'Making a Strategic Shift to Prevention and Early Intervention'.

Action: NHS and local authority chief executives will be interested to see the latest evidence on cost-effectiveness and quality of life outcomes for older people.

9. Fit for purpose: The social work degree (Gateway reference number: 10736)

The General Social Care Council has published independent research, which provides a snapshot of current policy and practice around the 2008 social work degree programme, looking particularly at children's social work.

Action: Directors of social services will wish to be aware of the report and its findings.

10. The General Social Care Council annual report (Gateway reference number 10730)

The General Social Care Council (GSCC) has published its 2007-2008 annual report.

Action: Directors of social services will find the executive summary of interest, which contains links to the full report.

Conferences and events - i) what’s new

11. Achieving World Class Commissioning (Gateway reference number: 10742)

The Department of Health, Social Care Institute of Excellence and Community Care are hosting a joint conference providing clear guidance on implementation of the new commissioning policy. The conference will take place 27 November 2008 in London.

Action: Local authority chief executives and PCT commissioners can register for the conference via:

12. Towards Effective Prevention in Adult Social Care Gateway reference number: 10743)

The Department of Health, Social Care Institute of Excellence and Community Care are hosting a joint conference to address early intervention and preventative services for older people. The conference will take place 3 December 2008 in London.

Action: Local authority and PCT chief executives, directors of social services who wish to attend or nominate a relevant member of their staff can register via:

13. Patient Safety in Mental Health (Gateway reference number: 10752)

A one-day symposium on 26 November will explore best practice in mental health patient safety. Hosted in Leeds by the National Patient Safety Agency, in collaboration with Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust and with the support of the Department of Health, this event is the first of its kind aimed at clinicians and managers.

Action: NHS chief executives who wish to attend this event or nominate a relevant member of their staff should see:

Conferences and events - ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

14. Reducing risks of administering Infanrix-IPV+Hib (Gateway reference number: 10698)

On 21 October 2008 the National Patient Safety Agency issued an alert ‘Reducing risks of administering Infanrix-IPV+Hib’ via the Central Alerting System. This alert reinforces advice on the need to reconstitute the Hib component using contents of the pre-filled syringe with specific actions for staff (England).

Action: NHS chief executives should ensure staff who prepare and administer childhood vaccines are aware of correct methods of preparation for all vaccines.

15. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2008/072 (Gateway reference number: 10756)

Device: Quickie Groove battery powered wheelchair manufactured by Sunrise Medical.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 07 October 2008 to NHS trusts for action.

Action: More information can be found at:

16. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2008/073 (Gateway reference number: 10757)

Device: Solus Iaryngeal mask airway manufactured by Intersurgical.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 08 October 2008 to NHS trusts for immediate action.

Action: Further information can be found at:

17. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2008/074 (Gateway reference number: 10758)

Device: Blood administration set. Volumed set manufactured by Sendal S.A. Distributed exclusively in the UK by Arcomedical Infusion Ltd.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 13 October 2008 to NHS trusts for immediate action.

Action: Further information can be found at:

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