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Contents:

NHS and social care interest
1. Changes in the department of health
2. Personality disorder- new guidance
3. Children's National Service Framework (NSF)
4. Discharge from hospital - good practice guide
5. The community care (delayed discharges etc) bill and capacity planning

NHS interest
6. Launch of NHSmail
7. National Joint Registry (NJR)
8. Research governance implementation plan - change to implementation date for sponsors to April 2004

NHS and social care interest

1. Changes in the department of health

I am working with colleagues in the Department to shape and manage a number of changes which we will be making during the next financial year.

The direction of travel is already clear:

• we are increasing our focus on delivering the national priorities and making sure we have good planning and programme management arrangements to do so
  
  
• we can devolve more responsibility to Strategic Health Authorities, given that they are developing well into their role as local headquarters of the NHS and reduce our involvement in the day to day operational management of the NHS
  
  
• we are establishing a series of new bodies - eg the Commission for Health Audit and Inspection, the Commission for Social Care Inspection, the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health and the Health Protection Agency - all of which will take on some of the roles and some staff from the Department.

Much of this change is already happening. I have already written to staff in the Department setting out initial thinking about how we might start reshaping the whole departmental organisation in response to these changes. The changes will affect the Department as a whole. However, one change that will affect the NHS directly is the intention to integrate the performance management role of the Directors of Health and Social Care with central delivery and performance functions so as to give a national drive on delivery.

None of this is immediate. All the current arrangements for your accountability to DsHSC for personal and operational performance and planning will continue in place.

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2. Personality disorder- new guidance

The National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) has published Personality Disorder: No longer a diagnosis of exclusion which provides policy implementation guidance for the development of services for people with personality disorder.

This guidance makes the treatment of personality disorder part of the legitimate business of mental health services.

The guidance is at www.nimhe.org.uk/ and www.doh.gov.uk/mentalhealth/personalitydisorder.htm

Contact: Onur Yelekci on 020 7972 4689 or onur.yelekci@doh.gsi.gov.uk

3. Children's National Service Framework (NSF)

Professor Al Aynsley Green, the national clinical director for children gave a keynote speech on the 22 January to health and social care professionals about the Children's National Service Framework (NSF).

The speech explained how an Emerging Findings document, to be issued shortly, will set out the direction of travel for the NSF and would be an important tool for assisting PCTs in the planning of children's services. He also explained how progress towards the NSF standards would be supported and monitored.

A copy of the speech is available at www.doh.gov.uk/nsf/children/whatsnew.htm

Contact: June Boggis on 020 7972 4659 or june.boggis@doh.gsi.gov.uk


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4. Discharge from hospital - good practice guide

Discharge from Hospital: Pathway, Process and Practice is a good practice guide that updates and builds on the 1994 Hospital Discharge Workbook. It is at www.doh.gov.uk/jointunit/delayeddischarge/discharge_get_ri.pdf

Hard copies from doh@prolog.uk.com

Contact: John.Crook@doh.gsi.gov.uk or Jenny.Mudge@doh.gsi.gov.uk


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5. The community care (delayed discharges etc) bill and capacity planning

The following information is available at www.doh.gov.uk/jointunit/delayeddischarge/index.htm

• supplementary checklist to help councils with social services responsibilities prepare for the introduction of the bill
• frequently asked questions on reimbursement
• an outline of the areas where regulations will be made under the legislation. (Draft regulations will be issued for consultation shortly.)
• model and guidance note to help councils plan capacity for older people's services.

Contact: John.Crook@doh.gsi.gov.uk or Jenny.Mudge@doh.gsi.gov.uk


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NHS interest

6. Launch of NHSmail

NHSmail, the new national email and directory service is due to go live on 17 February 2003 at www.nhs.net. The service will be available on a 'self-service' basis to all NHS staff, and will be of immediate interest to organisations that have inadequate local email facilities.

Given the media attention that is likely to accompany the 'go live' date, NHS organisations are advised to prepare for questions from their staff about the new service. A list of 'frequently asked questions' is available at nww.nhsia.nhs.uk/nhsnet/pages/emailmessaging/nhsmail/nhsmail_faq.asp

Further information at nww.nhsia.nhs.uk/nhsnet/pages/emailmessaging/nhsmail/routemap/default.asp

Contact: Catherine Coe on 07867 801 284 or catherine.coe@nhsia.nhs.uk


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7. National Joint Registry (NJR)

On 1 April 2003 the NJR will be launched. The NJR will collect data on total hip and knee replacement implants that can be used to improve the delivery of orthopaedic services. Trusts need to prepare for implementation. A letter from Bill Darling, chair of the NJR Steering Committee highlights actions required. The letter is at www.njrcentre.org.uk/news/news4.htm

Contact: Paul Woods on 020 7972 4811 or Paul.Woods@doh.gsi.gov.uk


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8. Research governance implementation plan - change to implementation date for sponsors to April 2004

The NHS Research Governance Implementation Plan said from April 2003 no research with human participants, their organs, tissue or data may begin or continue in the NHS until a research sponsor has confirmed responsibility. Changes in the law on clinical trials (consultation expected this spring) will affect the position of sponsor for trials of medicines. Consequently the new date for sponsors will be April 2004.

Details at www.doh.gov.uk/research/rd3/nhsrandd/sponsordatechange.htm

Contact: Relevant DHSC R&D lead, or Danny Pollard at danny.pollard@doh.gsi.gov.uk

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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copyright: © | Last updated: 30 January, 2003