Chief
Executive Bulletin 22 - 28 February 2002
Issue 106
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Chief
Executive Bulletin 22 - 28 February 2002 |
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Contents: NHS and Social Care interest 1. Single Assessment
Process for Older People - Important Announcements NHS interest 5. MMR and the
GP Target Payment Scheme Social Care interest 18. CI(2002)1
Fostering for the Future - SSI Report of the Inspection of Foster Care
Services NHS / Social Care interest 1. Single Assessment Process for Older People - Important Announcements Chief Executives of Health Authorities, Primary Care Trusts and Local Authorities should ensure that managers and professionals charged with the implementation of the single assessment process for older people are made aware of the following three announcements. In addition, the third message should be brought to the attention of professionals working with adults with mental health problems. Tools and scales website The correct version of the
Single Assessment Process guidance The single assessment process
and the Care Programme Approach 2. LAC(2002)4 Local Services Training Support Programme: 2002/2003 This circular sets out the arrangements for the Social Services Training Support Programme (TSP). Councils are asked to up-date
their local training plans and to submit both their TSP Application Forms
and their Achievements Reports (which should be linked to these plans)
to the Department by 26 April 2002. Full details of all the Programmes
within TSP this year, plus all the relevant forms, can be found in the
Information Pack that accompanies this Circular. A further copy of the
Information Pack can be found on the Department of Health’s Website under
www.doh.gov.uk/publications/coinh.html
Ref. LAC 26962, Information Pack 26963, Application Form 26964, Achievement Report Form 26966 The Health Forecast Unit (HFU) at the Met Office is in partnership with the Department of Health and currently provides a forecasting service for participants in this winter's pilot. Dr William Bird is predicting workload associated with demands in the health service through regional infectious disease reports, workload reports and workload forecasts. The information is supplied on a secure website and is regularly updated (as detailed below). Although still in pilot stage this winter, the project has grown in success. And we are able to provide regional level forecasts to all trusts. Next winter the forecast will be supplied nation wide and to postcode level. The weather is updated daily, the workload report and workload forecast updated twice weekly, (by midday Monday and Thursday), and the infectious disease report is updated every Thursday. Details: nww.doh.nhsweb.nhs.uk/capacityplanning/forecast.htm 4. First Health Forecasting Conference 14-15 March 2002, Coventry The possibility of accurate predictions of hospital admissions and length of stay is becoming a reality. Instead of reacting to changes in workload, can the NHS now use improved forecasts to prepare for workload changes? This conference, organised jointly by the Met Office and Department of Health, will look at how predictions of workload will transform NHS operational management. The first day is about improving health forecasts. The audience, of researchers, policy makers and NHS managers, will take stock of how current research can be used to predict workload in secondary care and identify what further research is needed. The second day, aimed at an NHS audience, will focus on putting forecasts to work in the NHS. The Met Office will report on their collaborative research to develop short-term forecasts to support the NHS, and participants will explore how improved forecasts could be used to manage workload better. You are invited to attend either or both days. The places, which are free of charge, are available on a first come-first served basis. To reserve a place or for more information, please contact Dympna Aspell at the Met Office on 01344 854262, or email: dympna.aspell@metoffice.com Please feel free to pass on this invitation to colleagues who may be interested in attending. NHS interest 5. MMR and the GP Target Payment Scheme In the wake of the public debate about MMR vaccine the GPC has recently asked for a moratorium on the childhood vaccination target payment scheme. Ministers and the CMO know that GPs and other professionals are experiencing a very difficult time in persuading some parents to accept MMR immunisation. They do not underestimate how hard many GPs have had to work only to have parents refuse MMR. But MMR has a crucial role in delivering improved public health. Since its introduction, the childhood immunisation GP target payment scheme has been one of the most effective public health policies and has resulted in exceptionally high coverage. The Department considers it would be inappropriate and counter-productive to change the target payment system at this time. Much effort is being undertaken now to ensure that this continues. Some PCTs may be asked by GMS GPs to consider locally applied moratoria. This would be ultra vires and Chief Executives are advised to resist such proposals. However, PCTs are welcome to consider using the flexibilities offered by GMS s36 Local Development Schemes or varying PMS contracts to further incentivise GPs working in areas of low take up and where patients would benefit from specially tailored approaches to immunisation. In doing so PCTs may draw on funds available within their unified budget allocations Your attention is drawn to information about MMR which is signposted on the DH website at www.doh.gov.uk/mmr.htm 6. Retained Organs Commission: A Consultation Document on: Unclaimed and Unidentifiable Organs and Tissue and A possible Regulatory Framework The work of the Retained Organs Commission has so far been mainly concerned with the practical management of measures being taken by the NHS and others involved (such as universities and coroners) to identify and return for respectful disposal organs and tissue retained following post mortems. The Commission is publishing the consultation document on 28 February and seeks comments, views and responses in relation to a number of important questions relating to the proper and effective management and custodianship of human organs and tissue removed during post mortem examinations. In particular the Commission seeks views about the respectful use and reverent disposal of unclaimed and unidentifiable organs and tissue; and a possible framework for the regulation of museums, archives and collections of human organs and tissue. This document is also available on the Retained Organs Commission’s website www.nhs.uk/retainedorgans/index.htm Hard copies will be sent direct to Chief Executives. Additional copies can be obtained from the Commission ( address below). You are asked to respond to the Retained Organs Commission by 10 June 2002. Email: retained-organs-commission@doh.gsi.gov.uk Any questions about this consultation can be sent to the above contact, or by telephone on the Commission’s helpline – 0800 092 0203. Ref. 26879. Mailed to Chief Executives of NHS Trusts. 7. Implementation of Nurses and PAMS Pay Awards Covered by the Review Body in 2002/2003- Advance Letters N&M 1/2002 and PAMS(PTA) 1/2002 Following the Recommendations of the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine, agreement has been reached on revised salaries for staff employed in the NHS on national terms and conditions. Employers must ensure that the new pay scales (in the Advance Letters attached) including Cost of Living Supplements are implemented quickly to allow staff to receive their increased salaries in April. 8. Funding for Smoking in Pregnancy Services 2002/03 You should be aware that an allocation letter of funding for Smoking in Pregnancy Services in 2002/2003 was issued to Health Authority Directors of Finance on 25 February. This allocation is a continuation of an initiative started in 2001/2002, announcement 25 January 2001 9. Health Authority (HA) and Primary Care Trust (PCT) Funding Procedures Detailed guidance setting out the funding and banking procedures for HAs and PCTs is available on the DH Finance Manual website: http://www.doh.gov.uk/finman.htm under the heading "Health Authority - Detailed guidance. Section 18. Funding of HAs and PCTs". In light of the organisation changes arising from StBOP, HAs and PCTs have had their banking arrangements reviewed and their bank balance limits changed with effect from 1st April 2002. These changes are shown on the above mentioned site. 10. Modernising the NHS Supply Chain – A Strategic Review The NHS Logistics Authority is the primary supply service provider to the NHS but is also developing its new role as supply chain manager for the English NHS. In this role, NHS Logistics has been tasked with undertaking a strategic review of supply chain management. This work will provide strategic direction for the NHS supply chain for the foreseeable future and, because of this, it is important for the whole of the NHS in terms of both cost and service provision. If you believe you have something to contribute, or would like to find out more, please contact Michael Wood, Project Manager on 01773 724260 or by e-mail to michael.wood@logistics.nhs.uk More information available at: nww.logistics.nhs.uk/documents/stratreview/info.doc 11. Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme The Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme has been established to ensure that men considering a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer are given information concerning the benefits, limitations and risks associated with receiving a test. Evidence based materials have been produced to ensure informed choice and these will shortly be forwarded to all General Practitioners to aid them in the counselling of these patients. Other initiatives within the programme include ensuring that PSA testing to an explicit quality standard is available to everyone requesting to have a test and a systematic and standardised follow-up pathway is available for individuals whose test result is above the threshold. Action - Fax: 0114 271 1089, Email nhs.screening@sheffield-ha.nhs.uk 12. Maintaining Key Information Flows and Structures in Shifting the Balance of Power There are many key information and dataflows that need to be maintained as we introduce the changes required for Shifting the Balance of Power. To help staff prepare for the changes, manage the relevant information and dataflows and ensure business continuity from April onwards, helpful advice and guidance is now available on a new website dedicated to this subject. To access this advice please visit: www.doh.gov.uk/ipu/stbop/index.htm This site will continue to develop as more guidance becomes available. There is also an opportunity for you to email the website with any questions on this subject. 13. Submission of Caldicott Returns for 2001/02 for NHS Organisations CEs are advised to look at the attached letter and proforma, which will be sent out shortly by the Information Policy Unit to all Caldicott Guardians in the NHS. The letter sets out the new reporting arrangements for the collection of Caldicott returns for 2001/02. CEs will be aware that submission of these returns is a mandatory requirement as set out in HSC 1999/012. The letter and proforma will
also be posted on to the Information Policy Unit’s website at: www.doh.gov.uk/ipu/confiden/index.htm: 14. GP GMS Supplementary List – Extension to Deadline for Applicants From 1 April 2002 all GMS Non-Principals must be on a Supplementary List if they are to continue to assist in the provision of GMS. However, transitional provisions allowed those who applied to their HA by 28 February 2002 to continue to provide GMS until the 31 May 2002 or until their application is decided (whichever is the sooner). HAs have made good progress
in collecting applications from their GMS non-principals. However, to
avoid any possible disadvantage to non-principals who have been unable
to complete their applications by the 28 February 2002, the transitional
deadline has been extended to 31 March 2002. HAs are recommended to consider, and discuss with their LMCs, whether or not further local publicity is required to encourage applications from non-principals who might still be unaware of the need to join the new list. HAs still need to have all applications processed by 31 May 2002. Those GMS non-principals who have not applied to join the supplementary list by 31 March 2002 will not be able to continue to provide GMS after 1 April until they have applied and being accepted onto the GMS Supplementary List. Further details can be obtained from Steve Rowlands by Email Steve.Rowlands@doh.gsi.gov.uk or by phone (0113-2545192). 15. Cash Injection to Improve GP Surgeries A £55 million package to improve primary care premises in deprived parts of the country was announced on the 5 November2001 (www.doh.gov.uk/pricare/practicepremises/). This included £15 million of public capital to help accommodate expanding numbers of the primary care workforce. The RLA/CLA adjustment letters for this were issued in December 2001, allocating £5 million of the £15 million. Unfortunately these letters contained an error on the mailbox address. Reports should be sent at the end of this financial year stating how much money has been used and what impact that has had on recruitment in primary care. The correct mailbox address to send these to is gppremises_improvements@doh.gsi.gov.uk 16. Diabetes National Standards Framework The Diabetes National Service Framework: Standards was published last December. The Diabetes NSF Implementation Group is now developing the delivery strategy and is consulting on what the strategy should contain. The Implementation Group would value feedback on the NSF: Standards and what its vision of a patient-centred diabetes service should look like in reality. The Group would also appreciate views on how we can best use the opportunities provided by the shifting balance of power in the NHS to create and use levers for real change. The Implementation Group is consulting specifically on service models, performance indicators and practice-based registers. Drafts of these were published with the Diabetes NSF: Standards on the Diabetes NSF website http://www.doh.gov.uk/nsf/diabetes. An electronic form for comments is included on the website. The website includes a range of supporting materials about the NSF and is being regularly updated with information and occasional papers for comment from the Implementation Group, and includes its Terms of Reference, membership and brief notes of meetings. Consultation documents: http://www.doh.gov.uk/nsf/diabetes/consult/consult.htm 17. Criminal Records Bureau, Police checks, Protection of Children and Protection of Vulnerable Adults: Guidance for NHS Employers Please note that an incorrect web link was given in last week's bulletin for the guidance to NHS employers on the CRB and police checks. The correct link is given below. The guidance covers details of the new procedures for obtaining a police check and Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults check. Please also note that the CRB has revised its start date and will now commence its disclosure service on March 11. Please do not hesitate to contact Gordon Fleck with any queries at gordon.fleck@doh.gsi.gov.uk Social Care Interest 18. CI(2002)1 Fostering for the Future - SSI Report of the Inspection of Foster Care Services SSI conducted this programme of inspections in seven local councils between December 2000 and March 2001. It focused on the way councils were planning and delivering their foster care services. In particular it looked at recruitment, assessment, approval, support to and management of foster carers and the extent to which foster care placements for children and young people were appropriate, improving their life chances and providing placement stability. Ref. CI letter 26723, Report 26664, Summary 26665. Will be mailed to Chief Executives of Health Authorities, NHS Trusts and Local Authorities with PSS Responsibilities. Report: www.doh.gov.uk/ssi/fosteringfuture.htm
19. Adults Aged 18 and Over Social Care Core Information Requirements The set of documents which details the core information requirements of social care for adults aged 18 and over, is now available from the Social Care section of the Department of Health’s website: www.doh.gov.uk/scg/adultcoreinfo. This includes a summary of the comments received as part of an earlier consultation exercise, together with the DH response. This package, which forms part of the Department of Health’s Information for Social Care initiative, will be of value to all parties responsible for the provision of IT systems, including both teams based within Councils with Social Services Responsibilities and commercial software suppliers.
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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