Chief Executive Bulletin
| 5 -
12 September 2003, Issue 185 |
Contents:
NHS and social care interest
1. Green Paper: Every Child Matters
2. Self assessment tool for ambulance trusts
3. New appointment
4. Medical device alert - MDA/2003/029
NHS interest
5. Consultant contract agreement
6. E-booking implementation strategy consultation
7. Generic medicine consultation
8. Action On Neurology
9. Medical device alert - MDA/2003/027
10. Medical device alert - MDA/2003/028
Social care interest
11. Young Runaways
12. Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks for care home staff
Further items of interest
13. Police protection powers
14. Report on Section 64 review
15. Foundation Trust information booklets
NHS and social care interest
1. Green Paper: Every Child Matters (Gateway reference
1668)
This paper has been published together with a suite of documents. These
include Keeping Children Safe - the Government's Response to the Victoria
Climbié Inquiry Report and the Joint Chief Inspectors' Report
Safeguarding Children, as well as the Social Exclusion Unit's report
on the education of looked after children.
Any comments on the Green Paper should be e-mailed before 1 December
to consultation1.childrensgp@dfes.gsi.gov.uk
The documents are at www.dfes.gov.uk/everychildmatters/
Hard copies from book.orders@tso.co.uk
or tel 0870 600 5522, fax 0870 600 5533 or by writing to TSO, PO Box
29, Norwich, NR3 1GN.
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2. Self assessment tool for ambulance trusts (Gateway
reference 1959)
As outlined in Raising Standards, the Modernisation Agency (MA)
and Department of Health have jointly developed a single self assessment
tool for acute and mental health trusts and a separate tool for primary
care trusts. These tools have been distributed over the last month by
the MA. The final tool in this series is the Ambulance Trust Self Assessment
Tool which is now available. All tools are optional processes that trusts
may want to undertake in developing their performance improvement plan.
The tools are at www.modern.nhs.uk/self_assessment_tools
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3. New appointment (Gateway reference 1965)
Professor Peter Hutton has been appointed to chair the National Clinical
Advisory Board of the National Programme for IT. He will spend two days
per week in the role which will serve to increase the involvement of clinicians
in implementing a substantial new investment in IT.
The first meeting of the Board is on 1 October 2003.
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4. Medical device alert - MDA/2003/029 (Gateway
reference 1958)
Bath and shower seating equipment.
This medical device alert was issued on 8 September 2003 to NHS trusts
and Social Services for action.
Further information at www.mhra.gov.uk
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NHS interest
5. Consultant contract agreement
Final documentation on the new consultant contract has now been agreed
between the BMA, the Department of Health and the NHS Confederation, together
with documents on a new clinical excellence award scheme and new disciplinary
procedures. Nigel Crisp is writing to all consultants and specialist registrars
in England to explain the key features of the new contract, and his letter
is available on the weblink below. The BMA will ballot its members on
the contract proposals shortly. Given the slight delay in finalising the
documentation the implementation timetable has been revised. Further details
are set out in Andrew Foster's letter to chief executives, medical directors
and HR directors at the weblink below.
Final documentation is at www.doh.gov.uk/consultantframework/
Further information about support available is at cciitenquiries@doh.gsi.gov.uk
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6. E-booking implementation strategy consultation
(Gateway reference 1852)
The Electronic Booking Project aims to improve the patient experience
of booking appointments from primary through to secondary care. It is
the first of a number of major projects from the National Programme for
IT and will support patient choice at the point of referral.
The draft strategy includes a timetable and detailed activities to enable
the implementation of e-booking from summer 2004 to the end of 2005. It
also carries information about the call centre-based Booking Management
Service (BMS). SHAs are asked to return a local BMS strategy to the project
by 10 October 2003.
For a copy of the draft strategy contact electronicbooking@npfit.nhs.uk
Contact Matthew Coats on 020 7061 6849 or matthew.coats@doh.gsi.gov.uk
Top
7. Generic medicine consultation (Gateway reference
1914)
The Department of Health is seeking comments on the proposed arrangements
for the long term supply and reimbursement of generic medicines to the
NHS in primary care in England. These proposals have been widely discussed
with representatives of the manufacturers of generic medicines, wholesalers
and pharmacists. If accepted, they could replace the current maximum price
scheme which controls the prices of a range of specified generic medicines.
The discussion paper is at www.doh.gov.uk/generics/genericmedicinesconsultation2003.htm
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8. Action On Neurology (Gateway reference
1955)
Applications are being sought from health communities to become pilot
sites for Action On Neurology, the latest NHS Modernisation Agency
Action On programme. It will test new approaches to service delivery
at the pilot sites from December 2003 to spring 2005. The deadline for
submitting applications is 9 October.
Application forms and guidance are at www.modern.nhs.uk/action-on/neurology
Click on information icon.
Contact Heather Pitchford on 07976 597 423 or hdpitchford@onetel.net.uk
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9. Medical device alert - MDA/2003/027 (Gateway
reference 1958)
Marshall Products Ltd, Laryngeal Airway Device (LAD)
This medical device alert was issued on 26 August 2003 to NHS trusts for
immediate action. Further information at www.mhra.gov.uk
Top
10. Medical device alert - MDA/2003/028 (Gateway
reference 1958)
CYPHERTM Sirolimus-eluting Coronary Stent.
This medical device alert was issued on 1 September 2003 to NHS trusts
for information request.
Further information at www.mhra.gov.uk
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Social care interest
11. Young Runaways (Gateway reference 1910)
The Social Exclusion Unit published its report Young Runaways in
November 2002. A new LASSL (reference (2003)6) informs councils and independent
sector agencies of the allocation process of £2million from the
Choice Protects Grant to help a pilot programme establish community-based
refuges. The services provided by this funding are intended to help prevent
young people running away and to provide immediate safety for children
who have run away from home or from care by providing accessible overnight
accommodation.
More at www.doh.gov.uk/publications/coinh.html
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12. Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks for care
home staff (Gateway reference 1957)
Following a recent consultation exercise the Government has confirmed
that CRB checks for existing care home staff will continue to run at an
enhanced level. (Existing care home staff are those who were employed
before 1 April 2002 and have stayed in the same job.) The deadline for
completion of the checks is 31 October 2004 and applications should be
submitted to the CRB between 1 October and 31 December 2003. This announcement
does not affect the requirements for those working with children.
More at www.doh.gov.uk/ncsc/cholder.htm
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Further items of interest
13. Police protection powers (Gateway reference 1940)
The Home Office has revised a police circular on the use of police protection
powers. It gives more precise guidance on the Children Act 1989.
For example, keeping a child in hospital if there is evidence that he
or she is at risk. The circular addresses concerns raised in the Victoria
Climbié Inquiry Report.
The circular is at www.doh.gov.uk/cebulletin/policecircular.htm
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14. Report on Section 64 review (Gateway reference
1728)
The report of the review group established to examine the use of the power
to make grants under Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health
Act 1968 has been published. The report sets out 31 recommendations to
streamline the way awards are made.
Copies are at www.doh.gov.uk/sect64/grants.htm
For further information e-mail monica.duncan@doh.gsi.gov.uk
or angela.roberts@doh.gsi.gov.uk
Top
15. Foundation Trust information booklets (Gateway
reference 1954)
A series of information booklets covering key aspects of NHS Foundation
Trust policy and related areas have been published. Details can be found
at www.doh.gov.uk/nhsfoundationtrusts/index.htm
where hard copies can be ordered.
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 - ©2003
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