Bulletin
for allied health professionals
| Index for Issue 15 April 2003 |
A bulletin for all staff in the allied
health professions
 Top
News
News
in brief
The
Digest
Did you see the news about…? If you missed an announcement or new development
of interest to you, the chances are it could be listed in The Digest.
Each month The Digest features subjects of note including where to obtain
more information.
Department of Health restructuring
Children’s interests
Guidance on labelling
Teenage conception down
Patient Focus:improving the patient experience
New statutory arrangements for maternity leave
Postgraduate education
Allergy UK
New and expectant mothers work guide
Diabetes tsar
Delivering better heart services
Health and Social Care Bill
Health and social care awards
Diary
Useful dates and events
Voicepiece
Chief health professions officer Kay East talks about new ways of working
and changing AHP roles
Have
your say……
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| Issue 15 April 2003 begins: |
Voicepiece
Chief health professions officer Kay East talks about new ways of
working and changing AHP roles
Often our ‘bread and butter’ work is in services essential to help patients
achieve and maintain independence and take an active part in society.
Many have long-term disabling conditions and require support to manage
their daily lives.
This presents AHPs with many challenges, particularly in developing working
partnerships across the NHS and social care as well as the independent
and voluntary sector.
Shifting the Balance of Power – the Government’s policy of giving
more power to frontline staff - has had a major impact on the way AHPs
work.
I know that many of you have embraced the opportunity to influence your
primary care colleagues to improve services and develop strong relationships
with secondary care. I am sure you are also finding that you have a whole
range of new people to negotiate with as you promote your services to
different stakeholders.
There are other challenges too – changing the way we all work to improve
services. The NHS Modernisation Agency’s A Guide To Workforce Redesign
In Diabetes Care is re-examining roles while ensuring patient care
is not compromised. The innovative practice in the guide outlines real
‘exemplars of innovation’ in the workforce. This all demonstrates the
changes we need to make to really focus on patients and the health needs
of the community.
The Department of Health is also facing change as we continue to move
more power away from Whitehall and invest it in the NHS at a local level.
Over the next 18 months the department will become significantly smaller
and will have a completely new look and feel about it. This will help
to crystallise the evolving role of strategic health authorities as the
local leaders of the NHS and will help ensure:
· the patient comes first, with greater choice, information and
control
· clinical teams and front line staff are involved in decision making
and planning
· there is a clear framework of values and national standards together
with independent inspection and regulation
· the NHS and social care are working together.
The department’s challenge will be to support the development of the
health and social care system and create more space for the NHS, social
care and other partners to innovate and take decisions locally.
In the coming months, we will be reflecting on how the professional expertise
within the department can be used to support and promote the development
of AHPs while strengthening the partnership with other professionals.
Our roles are clearly changing and this brings with it challenges as
well as opportunities. But I believe we can rise to those challenges because
we share a common goal of improving patient care.
Kay East
Top
Subscribe to the AHP bulletin
The Bulletin’s aim is to address matters related to the organisation
and delivery of AHP services, and includes items of direct interest to
AHP staff.
If you receive the bulletin direct on email, please forward it to other
colleagues who may be interested. If you know any staff who don’t have
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Your preferred email address can be your personal one at work or home
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is most convenient.
Other Department of Health bulletins covering a range of topics of interest
to NHS staff are also available. They include the Chief Executive Bulletin,
Chief Medical Officer's Bulletin and The Chief Nursing Officer's
Bulletin. They can be found on the DH website at www.doh.gov.uk/publications/bulletins.htm
Top
Top News
Changing workforce programme – update
Collaborative working is one of the ways AHP roles are being revamped
to deliver improved patient care.
As highlighted in the last AHP Bulletin the Changing Workforce programme
is helping to achieve improvements.
There are already 16 pilot schemes up and running across the country,
focusing on a range of areas.
In Salford, Greater Manchester, the role of education health worker has
been developed by the programme’s AHP pilot site.
Linda Dutton and Stephanie Kelly have been appointed as education health
workers at a local special school to provide educational, nursing and
therapy support to 11 to 18 year-olds with complicated medical and therapeutic
needs, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language
therapy.
The role was developed to help pupils with complicated medical needs
who had difficulty learning because they were being taken away from the
classroom to receive therapy.
With the support of the education health workers, pupils are now able
to continue their lessons.
A wide range of training is being undertaken providing skills and knowledge
across nursing, therapies and education, to a trained but not registered
level.
The professionals involved are in the process of signing off the competencies
to identify where further training is needed to support the continued
development of the roles.
The pilot is already proving to have many benefits. There is less disruption
to education because Linda and Stephanie work within normal lessons and
help teachers continue with group work, as they are instantly able to
respond to pupils’ needs.
The roles have improved communication regarding pupils across the range
of professionals groups and, with time, they will provide support to ensure
teaching targets for these pupils are achieved.
The workers have supported a child during a stay in hospital and also
provided education programmes to the pupils during home recovery. This
provided some respite for parents and prepared the child for returning
to school, as well as informing the school about progress.
It is expected that as the role develops, the therapists will work together
to produce collaborative treatment plans.
An evaluation of the role is underway and is expected to be completed
in April.
For more information about this role please contact Carys Kinsella at
carys.kinsella@srht.nhs.uk
or for information about the Changing Workforce Programme please visit
www.modern.nhs.uk/cwp or telephone
020 7210 5852.
Patient Group Directions
Patient Group Directions could be extended to more AHPs.
The Department of Health is considering allowing dieticians, speech and
language therapists, prosthetists, orthotists, occupational therapists
and arts therapists to supply and administer medicines to patients under
Patient Group Directions.
Since August 2000, within the NHS chiropodists, radiographers, physiotherapists,
orthoptists and paramedics have been able to supply and administer medicines
under Patient Group Directions. The direction must be signed by a doctor
and a pharmacist, and allows non-medical health professionals to treat
patients without a direct referral from a doctor. The arrangements help
to make best use of the skills and expertise of AHPs reduce pressure on
doctors and improve access to treatment for patients. A preliminary meeting
will be held shortly between AHP representatives, the Medicines and Healthcare
products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Department of Health representatives
to discuss the feasibility of extending the legislation on Patient Group
Directions to the six additional AHP groups.
Any proposed changes would be subject to a period of public consultation
by the MHRA.
Please send your comments to ahp-branch@doh.gsi.gov.uk
AHP 10 key roles
Results of a survey that asked your views on what you think are the main
roles for AHPs will be presented at a national workshop this month.
Professional roles in health and social care are changing. AHPs are reviewing
and clarifying their roles as part of the modernisation agenda to help
improve delivery and patient experience.
Some of the AHPs who completed the survey, which also asked what roles
you think are likely to be important in the future, will discuss the results
at workshop in London on 9 April. The next course of action will also
be discussed.
Top
News in brief
Modernisation Board report
Allied health professionals are continuing to grow in numbers and demonstrate
the valuable contribution they are making to NHS reforms.
The NHS Modernisation Board’s second annual report said that the recruitment
of more staff was essential to the continued development of a patient-centred
NHS.
Provisional figures for September 2002 show there are now 5,500 more
allied health professionals working in the NHS than in 1999 – close to
The NHS Plan target for 6,500 extra therapists by 2004.
Set up to advise the health secretary on NHS reforms, the board said
the resources going into the NHS were paying dividends for patients but
there was still a long way to go, adding: "Capacity problems remain.
The building blocks are there and the culture of the NHS is changing.
With extra resources about to come on stream we feel confident that fast
and effective progress can be made."
Particular attention was paid to new ways of working in the NHS. The
board said staff were taking the opportunity to develop their skills and
responsibilities, saying: "There is considerable evidence that staff
are embracing this new spirit of innovation."
Liz Sargeant, head of rehabilitation at Huntingdonshire Primary Care
Trust and a board member, said: "I believe the greatest priority
ahead for all staff is to think and behave differently – to move from
a position where organisational structures are our prime driver to one
where our prime driver is our understanding of how what we do is experienced
by service users."
The full report is at www.doh.gov.uk/modernisationboardreport
Action on NHS Professionals
NHS Professionals - the NHS in-house staff agency - will be given a stronger
national management structure with the establishment of a special health
authority to tackle the costs of temporary staffing agencies.
The special health authority will be in place before the end of the year.
It will provide a national service to help trusts locally best manage
temporary staffing needs including AHPs.
It will be responsible for the strategic oversight of temporary labour,
managing agency framework contracts, setting standards and policy framework
for temporary staffing and managing NHS Professionals in partnership with
the local NHS.
NHS Professionals has already made a difference in some parts of the
country to help trusts manage their temporary needs, offer staff the benefits
of flexible working and help the NHS achieve better value for money.
AHP advisory network
A network of advisors is being created to support and advise Kay East
and her staff. As part of this, the Allied Health Professions branch recently
advertised for professional advisors to work up to 24 days a year from
April 2003 to April 2005. Advisors will be appointed from arts therapists,
podiatrists, dieticians, occupational therapists, orthoptists, orthotists,
prosthetists, paramedics, physiotherapists, radiographers and speech and
language therapists. The closing date for applications was 3 April.
For more information contact Rachel Brookes on 020 7562 1677 or e-mail
Rachel@centrepointgroup.co.uk
Top
Guidance on lifting and handling
A judgement on a disability case involving East Sussex County Council
has implications for all local authorities.
The ruling by the Queen’s Bench Division (Administrative Court), recommends
that councils should adopt the Health and Safety Executive guidance on
lifting and handling, in favour of Royal College of Nursing guidelines.
HSE guidance is £9.50. To order call 01787 881165, fax 01787 313995,
or order online at www.hsebooks.co.uk
Commissioning AHP services
AHPs play a key role in providing patient care and a key challenge for
primary care trusts (PCTs) is to be proactive in attracting and retaining
AHPs and developing their services.
The Allied Health Professionals Framework has been developed with
PCTs to help deliver the challenging NHS modernisation agenda.
It highlights the significant issues for delivery, modernisation and
commissioning of AHP services and forms part of a revised PCT competency
framework, to be published in May.
It is vital that AHPs are key influencers of PCT local delivery plans
so all agencies involved can work together to help deliver better services.
The Allied Health Professionals Framework will be posted at www.natpact.nhs.uk
Complaints pilot extended
The independent complaints support and advocacy pilots have received
a £2 million funding boost. Extra money will ensure continued development
of the new service that offers support to patients who make a complaint
about their NHS care or treatment.
AHPs can sometimes be put in an awkward position if a patient confides
in them and asks for help to make a complaint. AHPs should refer complainants
to the Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS), which has a duty
to provide independent support to patients who complain.
A list of pilots is at www.doh.gov.uk/complaints
Top
Guidance on promoting the health of looked after children
Promoting the Health of Looked after Children sets out a framework
for health services and local authorities to promote and improve the health
and wellbeing of children and young people in care. Key statutory changes
include a health assessment, physical and mental health promotion, health
plan and reviews.
It is relevant to agencies in the statutory, voluntary and independent
sectors, including education and leisure. It sets out the role and responsibilities
of different agencies and outlines principles of good health care.
Primary care teams have an important role to play in identifying young
people’s health care needs. For example, their prior knowledge of the
person, of the birth parents and of carers can help them take a holistic
and child-centred approach to decisions.
The GP-held clinical record can also integrate all known information
about health and health events during the young person’s life. It enables
AHPs and other primary care professionals to establish health priorities
and know if decisions have been planned and implemented. This is particularly
important for children and young people who move frequently.
Guidance is at www.doh.gov.uk/lookedafterchildren/promotinghealth.htm
and www.doh.gov.uk/qualityprotects
To order a hard copy contact Jim Brown at jim.brown@doh.gsi.gov.uk
or call 020 7972 4431.
Wider health care team development lead
West Midlands South Workforce Development Confederation, in association
with the Department of Health’s employment branch is offering a 12 to
18-month secondment to lead on recruitment, retention and return for the
wider healthcare team. The NHS Plan sets out the need to increase
the wider healthcare team and the main aim of this role is to lead the
recruitment, retention and return agenda to help make this happen.
Candidates should have a minimum of three years experience of working
within health and social care and be able to travel.
For more information contact Ian Jacques, of West Midlands South WDC
or send him your CV by the end of 11 April. Contact Ian on 01527 587601
or at ian.jacques@wmswdc.org.uk
Top
Older people’s services – progress
The population is getting older. The number of people aged over 65 has
doubled in the last 70 years. Older people are living more active lives,
spending more money and demanding more from services. The National
Service Framework for Older People, launched two years ago, is an
essential component of The NHS Plan. It set, for the first time, national
standards for better, fairer and more integrated health and social care
services for older people.
The purpose of the National Service Framework for Older People -
A Report Of Progress And Future Challenges 2003 is to highlight the
progress made by the NHS and social care - with support from the Department
of Health - in these past two years. It signals the challenges and activities
for the years ahead.
This report is at www.doh.gov.uk/nsf/olderpeople
Or by contacting 08701 555 455 (quote reference 31074)
Fax: 01623 724 524
Email: doh@prolog.uk.com
08700 102870 - Textphone (for minicom users) for the hard of hearing (8am
to 6pm Monday to Friday).
Championing change for older people
Championing change for older people - a newsletter highlighting
developments, best practice and celebrating champions of change in the
care and treatment of older people is now available.
It contains views from the national director of older people’s services,
Ian Philp, news, work in progress and events.
The next newsletter will be available in June 2003.
The newsletter is at www.doh.gov.uk/nsf/olderpeople/opbulletinmar03.htm
To add your details to the older people's champions database e-mail nsf-for-older-people@doh.gsi.gov.uk
indicating what type of champion you are.
Top
The Digest
Did you see the news about…? If you missed an announcement or new development
of interest to you, the chances are it could be listed in The Digest.
Each month in The Digest we feature subjects of note including where to
obtain more information.
Department of Health restructuring
An 18-month programme of change is now underway to remodel the Department
of Health in line with the Government’s drive to decentralise power from
Whitehall to the frontline.
NHS chief executive Nigel Crisp said: "The aim is to have a Department
which has a productive set of relationships across the whole health and
social care system, with strong links with all its leaders and a shared
goal of improving health and services for patients, service users and
the public."
A briefing pack is available at www.doh.gov.uk/dh_change_programme
Children’s interests
Karen Dinsdale has been appointed Department of Health health professions
advisor – AHP branch and will be leading on children’s interests.
For more information contact Karen on 020 797 21330 or e-mail Karen.dinsdale@doh.gsi.gov.uk
Guidance on labelling
New guidance for the design of medicines labelling and packaging aimed
at reducing medication mistakes came into effect on 1 March.
The Best Practice Guidance on the Labelling and Packaging of Medicines
is at www.mca.gov.uk
Teenage conception down
Teenage pregnancy rates have fallen for the third year in a row.
An extra £40 million will support implementation of the Government’s
Teenage Pregnancy Strategy over the next three years.
New figures from the Office of National Statistics are at www.statistics.gov.uk/
Top
Patient Focus: improving the patient experience
Patient Focus is a new monthly newsletter from parliamentary under secretary
of state for health David Lammy. It aims to highlight the impact of patient
and public involvement in health as part of the improving the patient
experience programme.
It is at www.doh.gov.uk/involvingpatients
To subscribe e-mail doh_ppi_subscription@talkingnumbers.com
Feedback to Patient.Focus@doh.gsi.gov.uk
New statutory arrangements for maternity leave
Employers should be aware of new statutory arrangements for maternity
leave for those giving birth on or after 6 April.
Employers will need to change current procedures and apply the new rules.
Full details at www.dti.gov.uk/er/individual.htm
Contact Jeremy Orr on 0113 254 5770or e-mail jeremy.orr@doh.gsi.gov.uk
Postgraduate education
A UK policy statement has been prepared jointly by the four UK health
departments and indicates how modernisation of postgraduate medical education
will be taken forward in the context of wider workforce reforms.
This follows publication of the consultation paper Unfinished Business
last August which generated more than 370 replies.
The statement is at www.doh.gov.uk/shoconsult
For further information e-mail modmedc@doh.gsi.gov.uk
Top
Allergy UK
Allergy UK now offers fact sheets on What is Allergy and Allergy
Testing, Asthma, Eczema and Rhinitis in Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Gujarati
and Hindi. Copies of posters advertising this service are available from
Allergy UK, 30 Bellegrove Road, Welling, Kent, DA16 3PY on 0208 303 8525
or e-mail info@allergyuk.org
New and expectant mothers work guide
The Health and Safety Executive has published New and expectant mothers
at work - A guide for health professionals to offer advice and action
guidelines for employers.
A guide for new and expectant mothers who work is available for
patients from 01787 881165 or at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg373hp.pdf
Diabetes tsar
Dr Sue Roberts has been appointed the first national clinical director
for diabetes after her work as part of a team drawing up the National
Service Framework (NSF) for Diabetes.
She will be responsible for ensuring local NHS trusts achieve the NSF’s
eye screening and check up targets as well as providing national leadership.
More information at www.doh.gov.uk/nsf/diabetes
Top
Delivering better heart services
A new report by the national heart director Roger Boyle highlights the
progress being made to deliver the National Service Framework (NSF)
for CHD and to meet the commitment to cut deaths from heart disease
by 40 per cent by the end of the decade.
The National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease Progress
Report 2003 is at www.doh.gov.uk/heart/progress2003
Health and Social Care Bill
The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill, which
aims to decentralise the NHS, has been published.
It represents the next stage in the Government’s programme of NHS investment
and reform and aims to strengthen links between local communities and
health services.
It will create a new form of public ownership with the creation of NHS
Foundation Trusts. These new trusts will be run locally rather than centrally,
but follow national NHS standards.
The bill is at www.parliament.uk
Health and social care awards
These awards recognise the achievements of those who have shown outstanding
commitment, partnership, innovation and leadership in all aspects of health
and social care and the scheme covers all areas of our NHS and social
services in England, whether statutory, voluntary or independent.
The awards give winners the opportunity to share good practice and the
chance to win £15,000 to develop their services and ideas. The winners
will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on 1 July.
For more details and to apply visit www.modern.nhs.uk/healthandsocialcareawards
The closing date for entries is 25 April 2003.
Top
Diary
National show
The UK’s premier show for healthcare professionals and their clients
Naidex and KideQuip 2003 will be held at the Birmingham NEC between 13
and 15 May.
Incorporating KideQuip, the national show for children with special needs,
this year there will be more than 250 exhibitors from across the UK, Europe
and Far East plus free professional seminar programmes tailored to meet
the information needs of allied health professionals.
Entry is free. Pre-book your place by calling 0870 429 4428 or visit
www.naidex.co.uk
Have your say
The Allied Health Professions Branch in the Department of Health welcomes
feedback on any aspect of the information that we have included in the
Bulletin. Email ahp-branch@doh.gsi.gov.uk
or write to AHP Branch, Wellington House, 135 – 155 Waterloo Road, London
SE1 8UG.
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