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Contents:

Introduction

1. Update on Meeting the Challenge:

   • AHP Consultants
   • Modernisation of AHP education and training

2. Good news for AHP Returners

3. Lifelong Learning Strategy for the NHS

4. Investment in staff development

5. Health and Social Care - Community Equipment Services

6. Shifting the Balance of Power

7. Care Trusts

8. Managing Change in the NHS

9. Improving access to primary and community services

10. Professional NeLE Portals

• Anatomy Resource

11. National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)

12. Single Assessment Process for Older People

13. Quality On The Way

14. Tackling violence against NHS staff

15. New governance arrangements for NHS Research Ethics Committees and guidance for NHS Trusts

16. Consent - leaflets for patients

17. National Patient Safety Agency

18. NHS staff vacancy survey: March 2001

19. NHS Plus

20. Safety Notices

Introduction

Welcome to the third edition of the Allied Health Professions bulletin. These bulletins aim to provide you with up to date information about relevant issues in the NHS which are of specific interest to Allied Health Professionals. They also enable you to obtain further detail about particular issues through hypertext links.

We look forward to receiving feedback and contributions for future editions - please contact Alan.Robson@doh.gsi.gov.uk with your opinions on:

• Whether the bulletin provides useful information and if not, what sort of material would be helpful
• Whether the bulletin is the right frequency and easy to use
• Whether there any other improvements you'd like to see

We would also like to be able to send future bulletins direct to you - please send your contact details (name, organisation, postal address, phone and fax numbers and email address) to DH-Test-Emails@doh.gsi.gov.uk

One of the results of the Department of Health's Departmental Review has been a restructure of the department to ensure it is 'fit for purpose'. This has had a positive outcome for the AHP Clinical Professional Team, which has been elevated to Branch status within the new Directorate. Head of Policy Avril Imison now reports directly to a Board Director, Sarah Mullally, who recently announced that the Department of Health would be creating a new post to head up the Allied Health Professions: Chief Health Professions Officer.

For further information please also see:

Chief executive bulletin at www.doh.gov.uk/cebulletin
HR bulletin www.doh.gov.uk/hrbulletin and
Primary care bulletin www.doh.gov.uk/gpbulletin
Hard copy versions of these publications can be ordered from the NHS Responseline 08701 555 455

1. Update on Meeting the Challenge

AHP Consultants

The Strategy for Allied Health Professionals: Meeting the Challenge set out a commitment to develop AHP consultant posts in the NHS to provide new career opportunities for experienced and expert staff.

The Government recognises the need to improve career prospects for the allied health professions and to recognise their contribution to patient care. Allied health professions consultants will work with senior medical and nursing colleagues across hospital, community and primary care services in drawing up local care and referral protocols.

By 2004, at least 250 AHP consultants should have been recruited into these key posts, which will:

• provide better outcomes for patients by improving quality and services;
• provide a new career opportunity to help retain clinically mature and experienced allied health professionals and recognise their contribution to healthcare;
• strengthen professional clinical leadership.

The document setting out the new arrangements can be found at http://www.info.doh.gov.uk/doh/coin4.nsf/page/AL-PAM(PTA)-2-2001?OpenDocument

Alternatively, write to PO Box 777, London SE1 6XH, fax 01623 724 524, email doh@prologistics.co.uk or call the NHS Responseline on 08701 555455.

Modernisation of AHP education and training

14 Higher Education Institutes have won bids for modernisation of AHP pre-registration programmes in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, chiropody/podiatry and diagnostic and therapeutic radiography.

The modernisation of AHP education includes:

• increasing the number of students: 4,450 more therapists and other key professional staff by 2004;
• the development of inter-professional education and training;
• widening access to education and training;
• a commitment to continuing professional development.

The first wave sites for modernisation were selected in August 2001 and are detailed in the table below.

Developing close partnerships with university colleagues will be crucial in ensuring the success of the modernising education programme. Working in partnership with local Workforce Development Confederations (WDCs), which have specific responsibility for developing practice placements, purchasing training places and CPD will also be essential.

For further information e-mail: filao.wilson@doh.gsi.gov.uk

2. Good news for AHP Returners

From 1 April 2001 healthcare professionals returning to the NHS have been eligible for at least £1,000 income support during retraining (£1,500 for midwives). In addition the amount of childcare assistance that can be offered to returners whilst they retrain has been standardised. A returner will now receive:

• Free refresher training
• A minimum of £1,000 financial support while retraining
• Assistance with childcare support of up to £135 per week for one child and £200 for two or more children
• Assistance with travel and books

If you are interested in returning to the NHS, contact the return to practice co-ordinator at your local Workforce Development Confederation. Alternatively you can contact NHS Careers on 0845 60 60 655, or at www.nhscareers.nhs.uk.

3. Lifelong Learning Strategy for the NHS

The first-ever comprehensive framework for learning and development for all NHS staff will be launched later this year. Covering all forms of learning, from induction to continuing professional development, the framework will set targets to realise lifelong learning for all staff. It will also set out some of the ways in which the NHS University will become the vehicle for corporate, innovative, systematic and accredited learning to support the NHS modernisation agenda.

Look out for more on this in future editions of the AHP bulletin.

4. Investment in staff development

A £20 million investment plan has been announced to ensure that all NHS employers have the capacity to deliver continuing professional development effectively. The funding will:

• support implementation of appraisal, systematic learning and personal development planning for all staff - closely linked to clinical governance processes and re-registration requirements
• ensure that all staff have better access to training through greater emphasis on accredited work-based systems of learning, and access to modern learning resources supported by IT and library facilities.

For further information e-mail: leo.doherty@doh.gsi.gov.uk

5. Health and Social Care - Community Equipment Services

Community equipment is integral to many modernisation initiatives, particularly around inappropriate admission and in the facilitation of discharge arrangements within the Older People's Framework.

£105m will be provided for the NHS to improve community equipment services over the years 2001/02 to 2003/04, with £11.7million already having been allocated this financial year. Additional money has also been provided to local councils in the Personal Social Services Settlement for 2001/02 to 2003/04, to enable councils to contribute an appropriate share to the expansion of these services.

At present statistical returns indicate that many authorities have yet to identify their new funding for equipment services. It is crucial to ensure that the new funding is both identified and used for its intended purpose.

For further information check www.doh.gov.uk/scg/communityequipment.htm or e-mail: paul.brittain@doh.gsi.gov.uk

6. Shifting the Balance of Power

Following the Secretary of State's groundbreaking speech on empowering frontline staff, two documents have recently been prepared on Shifting the Balance of Power:

• Shifting the Balance of Power: Securing Delivery. www.doh.gov.uk/shiftingthebalance
• The Human Resources Framework to support the above www.doh.gov.uk/shiftingthebalance/hrguidance

The effect of this is wide ranging on both the current and future structure of the NHS and these documents hold significant implications for AHPs as they affect all Health Authority, Regional Office, Community Trust, PCG and PCT staff.

7. Care Trusts

14 sites are currently looking to set up Care Trusts - described in the NHS Plan as a vehicle for enabling the integration of services, especially for older people and for mental health.

The Health and Social Care Act 2001 gave legislative powers to enable Care Trusts to be formed as NHS bodies, using existing PCT and NHS trust structures, with the additional local authority functions delegated into the new organisation.

The 14 demonstrator sites are seeking Care Trust status from April 2003, although some will be able to go live from April 2002. Most are looking at better integration of provider services, though one site is looking to integrate commissioning.

Their experiences will inform the regulations and guidance to be issued by the Department of Health. For more information see www.doh.gov.uk/caretrusts

8. Publication of 'Managing Change in the NHS'

The NHS Service Delivery and Organisations National R&D Programme have commissioned two publications on managing change in the NHS:

• Organisational Change for health care managers, professionals and researchers: a review of models of change management to help managers, professionals and researchers find their way around the literature and consider the evidence available about different approaches to change.
• Making Informed Decisions on Change: Key points for health care managers and professionals: draws on the review to encourage managers and professionals to reflect on and share what helps and hinders successful change to improve the quality of services.

Copies of both publications are available free of charge from:
NCCSDO
Tel: 020 7612 7980
Fax: 020 7612 7979
Email: sdo@lshtm.ac.uk
www.sdo.lshtm.ac.uk/whatsnew.htm

9. Improving access to primary and community services

A new and innovative project to share knowledge on innovation and best practice regarding access to community services has been launched in London.

Pilot projects will be set up across the capital and a new multi-professional model of care for therapy services across children's and older people's client groups will be developed.

The project is funded by the London Access Modernisation Task Force and emphasises the potential for inter-disciplinary working and fresh thinking offered by new primary care structures.

Improving access to community services is one of the Task Force's five key priorities. This project will help to promote more co-ordinated services capable of generating benefits to all users and providers in London. For further information e:mail zac.arif@doh.gsi.gov.uk

10. NeLH Portals for Health Professionals

The National electronic Library for Health has launched a series of uni-disciplinary entry points for Allied Health Professionals. Each portal identifies electronic resources available to professionals from both the NeLH and other high quality information sources. Resources include the Cochrane Library, Clinical Evidence, Guideline databases, condition specific specialist areas - branch libraries (such as Diabetes) - and reviewed internet resources through NMAP. Working in partnership with professional bodies and NHS libraries the NeLH is developing into a rapid access one stop for knowledge gathering.

Portals can be found at:
www.nelh.nhs.uk/physio
www.nelh.nhs.uk/speechtherapist
www.nelh.nhs.uk/podiatrist
www.nelh.nhs.uk/ot
www.nelh.nhs.uk/orthoptist
www.nelh.nhs.uk/radiographer
www.nelh.nhs.uk/dietitian

Anatomy Resource for NeLH

Online Anatomy is available for all NHS Staff through the National electronic Library for Health. The resource allows the user to remove anatomical layers, rotate and label any structure. Primarily peripheral (including knee foot shoulder and hand) at the moment, the site will cover the whole body by 2002. Views of conditions, radiographical content including MRIs and a quiz are included. Content is also available to be used for educational purposes. The resource is available through at www.nelh.nhs.uk/anatomy/default.asp

11. National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)

NICE produces a range of guidance including:

• appraisals guidance on individual interventions (health technologies), based on an assessment of their clinical and cost effectiveness relative to best existing practice
• clinical guidelines and related audit methodologies giving evidence-based guidance on best practice for particular conditions or patient groups. Within this category are a number of more specialised 'products' including referral guidance and clinical protocols.

Ideas for future work programmes for NICE are welcomed. If you have any suggestions for guidance that would support delivery of quality patient care, you should discuss them with your professional organisation and ask them to submit a formal proposal. Alternatively, submit a proposal directly by contacting www.nice.org.uk.
For more information contact:
Appraisal topics - Peter Burgin peter.burgin@doh.gsi.gov.uk
Clinical guidelines - Mark Noterman mark.noterman@doh.gsi.gov.uk

12. Single Assessment Process for Older People (part of the NSF for Older People)

Guidance on the single assessment process for older people was issued for consultation on Thursday 16 August 2001. Your comments are sought on the guidance, which can be found at www.doh.gov.uk/scg/sap

13. Quality On The Way - SSI National Inspection Report on Service Quality Improvements in Social Care - CI (2001)8

The White Paper Modernising Social Services included a clear commitment to raise standards in social care. In this report the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) has identified measures councils can take to develop services that promote independence and increase the life chances for service users. The inspection also showed the importance of a corporate commitment to improving quality of social care services, as well as engaging other council departments and agencies effectively in developing effective policies and services for the benefit of local citizens.
The full report is available at www.doh.gov.uk/scg/qualityonway.htm

14. Tackling violence against NHS staff

Bids will shortly be invited for central funding to support new local initiatives to tackle violence against staff. Employers will be expected to match the new funding.

Funds will be made available to support a wide range of initiatives, ranging from the purchase of personal alarms for staff and installing panic alarms in treatment rooms to providing staff with violence awareness or personal safety training.

For further information please contact your regional Improving Working Lives Project Manager, or e-mail meena.paterson@doh.gsi.gov.uk

15. New governance arrangements for NHS Research Ethics Committees, and guidance on NHS Trust reviews

This new guidance:

• expands on the standards and principles set out for RECs in the recent Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care, and clarifies the accountability for establishment and support for RECs
• provides that ethics committee approval should be considered in parallel with regulatory approval (for medicinal products, by the Medicines Control Agency). Likewise R&D reviews (including registration and costing) undertaken in NHS trusts - leading to approval to carry out the project - should also be undertaken in parallel with ethical review, and within the same 60-day time period. This should be the same for industry-sponsored and externally funded non-commercial research.

Email tstacey@doh.gsi.gov.uk at the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees, who will shortly be in direct contact with HA leads for RECs about implementation timetables and plans.
For more information see
www.doh.gov.uk/research/rd1/researchgovernance/corec.htm

16. Consent - leaflets for patients

Following the publication of guidance on consent for health professionals in March, the Department of Health's 'good practice in consent' initiative has now produced a range of patient leaflets entitled 'Consent - what you have a right to expect'. Different versions of the leaflet have been produced for adults, for children/young people, for people with learning disabilities, for parents and for relatives/carers.

Copies are available to download at www.doh.gov.uk/consent or call the NHS Responseline on 08701 555 455 or email doh@prolog.uk.com.

Reference numbers for the leaflets are: Child Consent 24473, Adult Consent 24472, Parent Consent 24474, Relatives Consent 24476,Consent for people with learning disabilities 24464.

17. National Patient Safety Agency

Twenty-five hospitals are starting trials of a new national system for reporting failures, mistakes and near misses across the health service.

The system will ultimately cover the whole country and will be run by the new National Patient Safety Agency, an independent body set up on the recommendation of an expert group looking at learning from error in the NHS.

The NPSA is to be chaired by Professor Rory Shaw, Medical Director of Hammersmith Hospital. A key part of its task is to encourage a culture in which everyone involved in healthcare is happy to report and discuss incidents. The agency will start to receive details of adverse incidents in the New Year - in the meantime, any local incidents should be handled under existing arrangements.

Further details are at www.npsa.org.uk

18. NHS staff vacancy survey: March 2001

The main results and messages from the survey are:

• Vacancy rate for qualified AHPs up from 3.6% to 4.3%. The overall increase (including all scientific, therapeutic and technical staff and those AHPs already mentioned) was 2.9% to 3.3%. Although these results are disappointing, return to practice initiatives have been extended and international recruitment will be rolled out to these staff groups.
• Vacancy rate for consultants up from 2.8% in March 2000 to 3.0% in March 2001. But in an expanding workforce, a short-term increase is to be expected.
• Vacancy rate for qualified nurses down from 3.9% to 3.4%, showing that recruitment and retention efforts are starting to bear fruit.

The survey is at www.doh.gov.uk/public/vacancysurvey.htm

Further information from madelaine.watson@doh.gsi.gov.uk

19. NHS Plus

NHS trusts have been invited to propose their occupational health departments for membership of NHS Plus, the network which will provide NHS occupational health services to other employers.

The scheme is designed to build a service to employers - particularly to small and medium-sized firms, which are unlikely to have their own occupational health services - whilst also enhancing OH services to the NHS itself. Income generated will be available to NHS trusts for reinvestment in improved health services.

Further information: Elizabeth Johnson, NHS Plus programme manager, tel 020 7972 4274/1304, fax 020 7972 4425, email elizabeth.Johnson@doh.gsi.gov.uk

20. Safety Notices

The following Safety Notices have been issued recently by the Medical Devices Agency:

• MDA SN2001 (22) Counterfeit Intraocular Lenses - www.medical-devices.gov.uk/sn2001(22).htm
• MDA SN2001(19) Safe Use and Disposal of Sharps - www.medical-devices.gov.uk/sn2001(19).htm

The documents in this bulletin are Crown copyright but may be reproduced by NHS and Local Authority staff without formal permission or charge for personal or in-house use - ©2001

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copyright: © | published: Mar. 24, 2002