Chief Executive Bulletin: 6 - 12 October 2000
Issue 36
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Chief Executive Bulletin: 6 - 12 October 2000 |
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Hard copy versions of these publications can be ordered from the NHS Responseline 08701 555 455.
Contents: NHS interest
1. HSC 2000/031 Modernising Pay and Contracts for Hospital Doctors and Dentists in Training 3. Piloting the introduction of universal neo-natal hearing screening in England 4. Electronic Patient Medical Records in Primary Care - Changes to the GP Terms of Service 6. Ethical review of multi-centre research when there is no local researcher. 8. Review of the Cardiac Unit at the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital NHS Trust Alder Hey 9. Amendment to National HRM Development Programmes NHS and Social Care interest Social Care interest NHS interest NHS interest 1. HSC 2000/031 Modernising Pay And Contracts For Hospital Doctors And Dentists In Training This HSC sets out for NHS employers the action required to implement the new contract and pay structure for hospital doctors in training which takes effect from 1 December 2000. The associated technical amendments to the Hospital Medical and Dental Terms and Conditions of Service, including new pay scales and related issues for particular groups of doctors, will follow shortly by way of an Advance Letter. Ref. 22511 Hard copies available. 11 October 2000 - letter by e-mail to HA CEs from Neil McKay, Acting Chief Executive, NHS Executive. As you know, in May the Department launched its influenza immunisation programme for the Winter. Further advice was issued in the Chief Medical Officer's letter of 1 August and in other correspondence during that month direct to your influenza co-ordinator. I am writing to draw your attention to the importance we place on this programme. It is a key part of our preparation for winter. You will have submitted at the end of last month your Local Winter Planning Group report to Regional Office setting out the basis of your preparations. This will have incorporated the influenza immunisation programme. We recognise that the success of the programme will depend on a number of factors. A key element will be to ensure that all people aged 65 and over are contacted and offered 'flu vaccine. [letter continues] 3. Piloting the introduction of universal neo-natal hearing screening in England The Department of Health will be inviting applications from Health Authorities to pilot the implementation of Universal Neo-Natal Hearing Screening (UNHS) in England. It follows the National Screening Committee's recognition that, whilst the benefits of UNHS were clear, further work was required to look at how it could be introduced across the NHS. The project will provide the Department of Health with a report of the steps required to replace the infant distraction test with UNHS and a blueprint against which individual Health Authorities can plan and implement changes. Application packs will be issued by 18 October (available on the DH website (www.doh.gov.uk) and sent to UNHS co-ordinators) for return by 20 November. The Department of Health will provide a contribution towards the cost of piloting UNHS. £750,000 will be available for 2000/2001 and it is anticipated that further funds will be available in 2001/2002. There will be a meeting on 3 November 2000 from 1pm to 3.30pm in Nottingham to discuss the scheme and application process. Any enquiries about this meeting should be made to Padma Moorjani, Xandra Arundel or Sally Hind at the MRC Institute of Hearing Research at pamda@ihr.mrc.ac.uk, or xandra@ihr.mrc.ac.uk or sally@ihr.mrc.ac.uk or 0115-922-3431. If you have any other queries please contact Mary Simpson on 0113-254-5190 or msimpson@doh.gov.uk. 4. Electronic Patient Medical Records in Primary Care - Changes to the GP Terms of Service There is a change to the General Practitioner's (GP's) terms of service effective from 1 October 2000 the effect of which will allow GPs to maintain part or all of their patient medical records on a computer system if they so wish. Copies of the Statutory Instrument, the letter from Primary Care Division informing of action and guidance for and health authorities and GPs and the Good Practice Guide on Electronic Patient Records can be found at www.doh.gov.uk/gpepr. Requests for hard copies and any further queries should be forwarded to Mr John-Jo Oldham at the address below: Mr John-Jo Oldham,Primary Care Computing Policy, NHS Executive, Room 7E24, Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE. Tel: 0113 2546070. E-mail: john-jo.oldham@doh.gsi.gov.uk Ref. 22445. 5. The National Plan (Section 4.19 and 4.20) "Patient Power" Project: Bedside Information and Communication Systems. The National Plan (Section 4.19 and 4.20) States "Bedside televisions and telephones will be available in every major hospital by 2004". Bedside phones and TV systems are installed in a number of hospitals. The Government is keen that such systems are rolled out to the NHS as a whole. The project, which is led by NHS Estates, is known as "Patient Power". NHS Estates will not enter directly into contracts with providers. Instead, we will licence nationally a number of operators who are considered to be capable of delivering an appropriate service. Trusts will then be able to enter into local concessions to meet local needs. The capital investment will be borne by the private operator, with the operating costs met by the consumer. The Patient Power steering group has received a number of applications for national licences, which will be evaluated by the end of October. It is expected that licences will start to be issued to successful candidates some time around the end of November. Trusts who are in negotiation with a supplier may wish to continue, especially where negotiations are at an advanced stage. Otherwise, Trusts may wish to await the outcome of the licensing process. Current contracts should be honoured, however Trusts should assess in due course whether their installations meet the aims of the NHS Plan. Further information is available from the Project Director - Mr John Wood. Email patient_link @hotmail.comor phone 0161 432 6828. (Also for attention of NHS Trust Directors of Finance, IT and, Estates and Facilities) 6. Ethical review of multi-centre research when there is no local researcher. Professor Sir John Pattison, Director of R&D, sent this letter and the paper to which it refers to all NHS Research Ethics Committees (RECs) on 6th October. The paper describes a change in operational arrangements for the ethical review of research in the UK for situations when there is no need for a local researcher. Most often, this is in epidemiological or health services research. The paper describing the new streamlined system can be found on www.doh.gov.uk/research. Your local REC will already have received this, but please bring it to the attention of any staff who undertake such research. 7. Advance Letter (ASC) 2/2000 Ancillary Staffs Whitley Council Increases to Upholsterers Rates of Pay for 2000/2001 There are a small number of Upholsterers employed in the NHS within the purview of the Ancillary staffs Whitley Council who receive pay increases in line with the agreements reached in the British Furniture Trade Joint Industrial Council. This Advance Letter sets out the agreement reached by the Ancillary Staffs Whitley Council on increases to rates of pay for the year 2000/2001. The details of the agreements are as follows:
8. Review of the Cardiac Unit at the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital NHS Trust Alder Hey 5/10/00 - This is the report of a review of the Cardiac Unit at the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital NHS Trust (Alder Hey). The review was undertaken to address concerns relating to surgical outcomes in the Cardiac Unit at Alder Hey. The report has been prepared for Ministers at the Department of Health, but is intended to be accessible to the public and to NHS professionals involved with the hospital. http://www.doh.gov.uk/nwro/alderheycardiac.htm 9. Amendment to National HRM Development Programmes "Further to the e-mail sent out on the 11th October regarding the National HRM Development programmes - Information sessions, we would like to inform Chief Executives in the West Midlands that their regional session is being held in conjunction with Trent Region on the 23rd October." NHS / Social Care interest These Safety Notices were issued on 4 October to NHS Trust, Health Authority and Primary Care Trust Chief Executives. As usual they were also issued to Liaison Officers of Trusts and Health Authorities for action and for onward distribution as specified in the Notices. MDA SN2000(17) Use of Spirit-based solutions during surgical procedures requiring the use of Electrosurgical Equipment Link to Safety Notice 2000(17) www.medical-devices.gov.uk/sn2000(17).htm MDA SN2000(18) Handling of Surgical Instruments on loan from another Organisation Link to Safety Notice 2000(18) www.medical-devices.gov.uk/sn2000(18).htm MDA SN2000(19) Electrically Operated Lift and Recliner Chairs Link to Safety Notice 2000(19) www.medical-devices.gov.uk/sn2000(19).htm Also issued to Directors and Liaison Officers of Social Services Departments MDA SN2000(20) Lomax Mobility - Vitesse 3 HD (Heavy Duty) & XHD (Extra Heavy-Duty) Powered Wheelchairs. Front Castor Assemblies: Field Replacement Link to Safety Notice 2000(20) www.medical-devices.gov.uk/sn2000(20).htm Also issued to Directors and Liaison Officers of Social Services Departments For further information on the role and nomination of Liaison Officers e-mail us at: http://www.medical-devices.gov.uk Social Care Interest 11. LAC(2000)21 New Procedures For The Regulation Of Small Private Children's Homes: The Cancellation Of Registration Of Children's Homes Which Have Already Ceased To Operate This Circular was issued on Wednesday 11 October and provides local authorities with detailed information about implementation of section 40 of the Care Standards Act 2000, which brings small private children's homes within the scope of regulation. The Circular will be sent in hard copy to all authorities within the next few days, along with copies of the Commencement Order and the transitional provisions, associated Regulations amending the Children's Homes Regulations 1991, and Directions to local authorities. The first two items can also be accessed via the HMSO website www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk Under the new arrangements, all existing small private children's homes must apply for registration with the local authority in whose area they are, by 31 December 2000. Local social services authorities must complete the registration process by 1 July 2001. Ref. 22496. Will be mailed to LA Chief Executives and Directors of Social services w/c 16/10/00. 12. CI(2000)20 Promoting Quality & Improving Performance: SSI Social Care Regions Approach to Performance Assessment - 2000/01 - Annual Review Meetings Further information about how SSI intends to approach the first round of annual review meetings. An attached summary sets out the broad approach. Ref. 22510. Hard copies to Directors of Social Services w/c 16/10/00. 13. info4local.gov.uk - "A gateway for local government to material from key government departments and agencies" 10/10/00 - This site provides the first, online, one-stop gateway for local authorities to get quick and easy access to local government-related information that is published on the web sites of central government departments and agencies. It is run by a group of five departments. 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 - ©2000 Back to Chief Executive's Bulletin Home Page |
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