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Chief Executive Bulletin
25 - 31 July 2003, Issue 179

Contents:

NHS and social care interest
1. Reimbursement for delayed transfers
2. LAC (2003)18 Young people's substance misuse grant: 2003/2004

NHS interest
3. Consultant contract
4. Strengthened regulation for paramedics
5. Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME)
6. Whistleblowing in the NHS - updated guidance
7. Medical device alert - MDA/2003/021

Social care interest
8. Consultation on the proposed changes to the residential care charges

Further items of interest
9. Amendment 91 of the statement of dental remuneration
10. The national programme budget project
11. Consultation on amending regulations for charging overseas visitors
12. Charging overseas visitors for treatment in England and Wales
13. Prescriptions dispensed in the community in England 1992 - 2002
14. Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board


NHS and social care interest

1. Reimbursement for delayed transfers
The community care (delayed discharges, etc.) Act introduces a system of reimbursement for delayed transfers. The Department of Health is consulting on guidance to accompany the Act, which will take place between 31 July and 12 September 2003

Details at www.doh.gov.uk/reimbursement/ccddpart1consult.htm

Comments should be sent to Ruth Marshall at ruth.marshall@doh.gsi.gov.uk

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2. LAC (2003)18 Young people's substance misuse grant: 2003/2004
The circular covers background for the grant; allocations and payment arrangements; and conditions and audit requirements.
Details at www.info.doh.gov.uk/doh/coin4.nsf/Circulars?ReadForm and www.doh.gov.uk/drugs/polguide.htm

Contact: Penny Brown on 0207 972 1506 or penny.brown@doh.gsi.gov.uk

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NHS interest

3. Consultant contract
Chief executives will wish to note that we shall shortly be writing to NHS trusts with information and advice on preparatory steps and how to share this information with consultants.

For information on the consultant contract www.doh.gov.uk/consultantframework/
For information on the implementation www.modern.nhs.uk/consultants/

Contact: cciitenquiries@doh.gsi.gov.uk

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4. Strengthened regulation for paramedics
There has been a change in the law governing the regulation of the twelve professions regulated by the Health Professions Council (HPC). Since 9 July 2003 it is unlawful for anyone to practise as a paramedic unless he or she is registered with the HPC.

The Department of Health has issued Q&A guidance explaining what this means for employers of paramedics. An updated version of HSC 2000/006 will be available shortly.

Details at www.doh.gov.uk/hrinthenhs/strengthenedregulationforparamedics.htm

Contact: Christine Holmes at christine.holmes@doh.gsi.gov.uk or 0113 254 5790

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5. Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME)
Health minister Jacqui Smith announced on 12 May 2003 a central budget of £8.5 million to support implementation of the service improvement programme 2004-2006

This investment is to establish centres of expertise and local multidisciplinary teams. As well as providing diagnosis and treatment, the new services will assist with professional training and a clinical research network. An implementation group has been established to oversee the service development.

PCTs and clinical teams are invited to bid for funding.

The planning and funding document and application form is at www.doh.gov.uk/cfsmefunding/index.htm
Contact: Pat Noons at pat.noons@doh.gsi.gov.uk 0207 972 4200

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6. Whistleblowing in the NHS - updated guidance
The Department of Health has issued a new resource pack, which updates the existing guidance on whistleblowing in the NHS contained in HSC 1999/198 (issued in September 1999 following the coming into force of the Public interest disclosure act (PIDA) 1998).

The guidance is available from the NHS Responseline by email doh@prolog.uk.com or 08701 555 455

Details at www.info.doh.gov.uk/doh/point.nsf/Publications?ReadForm

Contact: Eileen Calline at eileen.calline@doh.gsi.gov.uk or 0113 254 6131

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7. Medical device alert - MDA/2003/021
Injectable polymeric cements used in percutaneous vertebroplasty, balloon kyphoplasty and pedicle screw augmentation was issued on 29 July 2003 to NHS trusts for action.

Details at http://devices.mhra.gov.uk

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Social care interest

8. Consultation on the proposed changes to the residential care charges
Director's of social services are advised that the Department of Health's formal consultation on the proposed changes to the residential care charges from October 2003 and home care charges can be found at www.doh.gov.uk/scg/crag/ (at the base of the page)

Contact: Chandrika Kanani at chandrika.kanani@doh.gsi.gov.uk

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Further items of interest

9. Amendment 91 of the statement of dental remuneration comes into force on 1 August 2003. Details will be at www.doh.gov.uk/sdr/

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10. The national programme budget project - The Department of Health last year initiated the project with the aim to provide information, which can be used to give a greater understanding of where the money invested in the NHS is spent.

Details of the project's terms of reference and project board membership are at www.doh.gov.uk/natprogbudget/index.htm

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11. Consultation on amending regulations for charging overseas visitors for treatment in England and Wales.
The regulations for charging patients not ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom for hospital treatment have been reviewed and a public consultation document was published on 29 July 2003. Copies of the consultation document are being sent to the overseas patient manager of every NHS trust and PCT.

An electronic version is at www.doh.gov.uk/overseasvisitors/nhschargesconsult.htm

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12. Charging overseas visitors for treatment in England and Wales.
A new interim manual of guidance for overseas patient managers on charges for any hospital treatment for patients not ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom is now available.
Details at www.info.doh.gov.uk/doh/finman.nsf/ManualDownload?OpenView (in the NHS trusts detailed guidance section, chapter 31).

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13. Prescriptions dispensed in the community in England 1992 - 2002 - Statistical bulletin published on 31 July 2003. Details at www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0312.htm Copies are available from doh@prolog.uk.com

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14. Postgraduate medical education and training board (PMETB) - Professor Clive Morton has been appointed chair of the newly established PMETB.
Details

 

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: 31 July 2003