Chief
Executive Bulletin 12 - 18 January 2001
Issue 49
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Chief
Executive Bulletin 12 - 18 January 2001 |
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Hard copy versions of these publications can be ordered from the NHS Responseline 08701 555 455. Contents:NHS interest 1. Modernising NHS Dentistry - implementing the NHS Plan - Guidance for Health Authorities 2. CEM/CMO/2001/1 Update On MMR Vaccine 3. CEM/CMO/2001/02 - Patient Enquiries About Depleted Uranium (DU) Exposure. 7. MET Office Workload Forecasts NHS and Social Care interest NHS interest Modernising NHS Dentistry - implementing the NHS Plan - Guidance for Health Authorities In line with the Government's pledge on dentistry, Health Authorities should have firm plans in place to link patients seeking access to NHS dentistry with suitable providers, by July 2001. Outline action plans will need to be submitted to Regional Offices in parallel with Service and Financial Frameworks (16 February). Each HA will be expected to have considered the pattern of unmet demand for dentistry in its area and to have identified the most likely combination of approaches to address this, based on the guidance which is available at www.doh.gov.uk/dental/strategy/haadvice.pdf Links to other related documents via www.doh.gov.uk/dental CEM/CMO/2001/1 Update On MMR Vaccine Message From Professor Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer, Department Of Health 12/1/2001 - Following recent publicity about MMR vaccine and the availability of single antigen vaccines, the Chairmen of the two relevant independent committees have issued the following advice. The Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) has conducted a further detailed review of the safety data and the Chairman, Professor Alasdair Breckenridge said: "MMR vaccine is very safe. There is no question mark whatever over its licensing". Professor Michael Langman, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said: "My committee has independently considered all the issues and reached the same position as CSM. If there is a question mark, it is over the advice to have single vaccines." [Continues] CMO's message www.doh.gov.uk/cmo/cmo00_19.htm Other links www.immunisation.org.uk Health Promotion England
Immunisation web site www.open.gov.uk/mca Medicines Control Agency Contact: Dr David Salisbury 020 7972 1522 for any further questions about immunisation policy; and Dr June Raine 020 7273 0400 for any questions about licensing issues. CEM/CMO/2001/02 - Patient Enquiries About Depleted Uranium (DU) Exposure. Message From Dr Pat Troop, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department Of Health 16/1/01 - You may be aware of the recent concern expressed about possible exposure of UK forces to Depleted Uranium (DU) in the Balkans. Last week the Ministry of Defence (MOD) announced that they would be identifying an additional voluntary screening programme for our Service personnel and civilians who have served in the Balkans. The MOD announcement may lead to servicemen and others contacting their GPs for advice. [Continues] http://www.doh.gov.uk/cmo/cmo01_02.htm The above messages were sent to Directors of Public Health for onward cascade to health professionals. General Ophthalmic Services - Implementation of Point Of Service Checks, Introduction of Revised Gos Forms and Improved Regulation of Domiciliary Visits Scheme Measures to introduce Point of Service (PoS) checks, and strengthen regulation of domiciliary visits have been drawn up by the optical services section and the Directorate of Counter Fraud Services (DCFS) in consultation with representatives of the optical profession. Revised GOS forms are to be introduced from 19 February 2001. Optical practitioners will be required to request patients to show evidence of their eligibility for NHS sight tests and optical vouchers. A guide for practitioners on PoS checks is being distributed separately. Practices are invited to apply for a starting-up fee for the introduction of PoS. New regulations are to be applied to domiciliary visits. The policy statement is on the POINT database and at www.doh.gov.uk/opthalmicservices Please direct any enquiries to Jerry Read, room 325 Richmond House, 79 Whitehall, London SW1A 2N. Tel: 020 7210 5743. FAX: 020 7210 5774 E-Mail Jerry.Read@DOH.gsi.gov.uk Ref. 23126. Will be mailed to Chief Executives of Health Authorities w/c 22/1/01. The epic Project: Developing National Evidence-based Guidelines for Preventing Healthcare associated Infections Phase 1: Guidelines for Preventing Hospital-acquired Infections 18/1/01 - In 1998, the Department of Health (England) commissioned the first phase of national evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare associated infections. These focused on developing a set of standard principles for preventing infections in hospitals together with guidelines for preventing hospital-acquired infections (HAI) associated with the use of short-term indwelling urethral catheters in acute care and with central venous catheters in acute care. These guidelines are systematically developed broad statements (principles) of good practice that all practitioners can use and which can be incorporated into local protocols. Guidelines www.doh.gov.uk/hai/epic.htm Device Alert - MDA DA2001(01) - VanguardÔ
Endoprostheses: Upper Stent Row Seperation with or without Nitinol Wire Fracture. This Device Alert was issued on 10 January 2001 to NHS Trust and Health Authority Chief Executives and as usual, it was also faxed to Trust and Health Authority for immediate action and for onward distribution as specified in the Notice. www.medical-devices.gov.uk Electronic versions of the DA2001 (01) can be found at: www.medical-devices.gov.uk/da2001(01).htm MET Office Workload Forecasts WEST and the Met office are issuing twice weekly workload forecasts, which will bring together the following information: There are two levels of information: We expect all those involved in responding to winter demand both in trusts and primary care to use the information as part of the management data-set when planning their organisations continued response to winter pressures. The forecasts can be obtained on the NHS web on the following address: nww.doh.nhsweb.nhs.uk/winter/forecasts.htm NHS / Social Care interest Safety Notice - MDA SN2001(01) Medical Devices - Reporting Adverse Incidents and Disseminating Safety Warnings. This Safety Notice was issued on 15 January 2001 to NHS Trust, Health Authority and Primary Care Trusts Chief Executives and Directors of Social Services. As usual, it was also issued to NHS Trust, Health Authority and Social Services liaison officers for action and for onward distribution as specified in the Notice. For further information on the role and nomination of liaison officers e-mail us on: bs@medical-devices.gov.uk www.medical-devices.gov.uk Electronic versions of the SN 2001 (01) can be found at: www.medical-devices.gov.uk/sn2001(01).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 - ©2000 |
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