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Chief
Executive Bulletin 31 August - 6 September 2001 |
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Hard copy versions of these publications can be ordered from the NHS Responseline 08701 555 455. Contents: NHS interest
NHS and Social Care interest
NHS interest The NHS student support arrangements were introduced in September 1998 to support Ministers' commitment to safeguarding the future supply of key staff groups and to provide the widest possible access to health professional careers. Following last year's review of student support Ministers agreed a range of amendments to the current support arrangements. The NHS Bursary Scheme (Fourth Edition) reflects those amendments and provides the new Bursary rates for NHS funded nursing and midwifery diploma level students, degree level nursing, midwifery and allied health professional students and medical students currently in their second and third years of a four year graduate entry medical course. Please find this document on the web site at: http://www.doh.gov.uk/hcsmain.htm Ref: 24563 2. Reforming the NHS' complaints procedure This suggests ways to improve the current NHS complaints procedure for patients in England. It summarises suggestions made following a two year evaluation study of the NHS complaints procedure, and asks for ways to make the current system easier for patients to access; to resolve complaints quickly; to open up the process, making it more independent where appropriate; and to be more responsive to the outcome of complaints so effective improvements are made as a result. The 'NHS Complaints Procedure - National Evaluation and Reforming the NHS Complaints Procedure - a listening document' can be found on the Department of Health's web site at http://www.doh.gov.uk/nhscomplaintsreform/index.htm. Hard copies can be obtained from the NHS Response line on 08701 555 455. You can respond by the e-mail link NHScomplaintsreform@doh.gsi.gov.uk Responses should be sent by Friday, 12 October. For further information contact either Barbara Jordens-Harris on 0113 254 5048 or Adrian Landon on 0113 254 5679 Ref: 25046 3. "Involving Patients and the Public in Healthcare - a discussion document" The Government has published its proposals for how patients and the public can be involved in the NHS. The proposals that the Government is seeking views on, will make it easier for both patients and the public to be involved, will make it more common place and will ensure that the people who use and pay for the NHS can influence the way the way it works. The document is available at http://www.doh.gov.uk/involvingpatients/. To comment on the proposals send an email to mailto:HazelBlears@doh.gsi.gov.uk Responses should be sent by Friday 12 October. For further information contact: Lesley Hilton 01132
546134 PALS Ref: 25060 4. Audit Commission report: Brief Encounters - Getting the Best from Temporary Nursing Staff Bank and agency nursing staff make an enormous contribution to patient care, enabling NHS trusts to maintain service delivery and ensure continuity by covering for staffing shortfalls and fluctuating workloads...
Link to report http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/publications/brencounters.shtml 5. "Action on" capital - September progress monitoring exercise Proformas for the September "Action on" Capital monitoring exercise will be sent to senior project managers at organisations involved in the Capital Programmes by 10 September. Responses should be submitted electronically to Regional Office "Action on" leads by 15 October at the latest. This exercise will be used to formally report on progress to Ministers and will be repeated in March 2002. Could Chief Executives please ensure that reports are completed accurately and submitted by 15 October. Any queries, please contact Matthew Fagg (Tel: 0113 254 5317 Email: matthew.fagg@doh.gsi.gov.uk) 6. Demand and capacity management - national workshop programme The NHS Modernisation Agency is leading a national workshop programme on demand and capacity management The programme is aimed at NHS Leaders and people who are facilitating and/or teaching local modernisation programmes and projects. Demand and capacity management is a priority development area for the NHS Modernisation Agency. These skills are fundamental to achieving and sustaining NHS plan targets in emergency access, outpatient and inpatient waiting times and booked admissions. The brochure for the workshop programme can be found on the 'Home Page' at the following web site address: http://www.nhs.uk/npat. Any queries should be directed to Kelly Giles from the Modernisation Agency's Conference Team. Telephone: 0116 222 5115 7. IWL Toolkit - Improving Working Lives For The Pharmacy Team The latest IWL toolkit Improving Working Lives for the Pharmacy Team is now available. This toolkit is the first to focus on a specific profession and comprises a series of examples of good practice, grouped around key themes. It will be of interest to all pharmacy staff, and may stimulate ideas and discussion amongst staff about how they work, and how conditions and systems could be improved - it will help to generate fresh perceptions about possible ways of working together. Copies are available from the NHS Response Line 08701 555 455 quoting reference 24617. If you would like any further information regarding IWL or have any additional examples of good practice please contact Brian Wall 0113 2545292 brian.wall@doh.gsi.gov.uk Ref: 24968
8. Withholding Payment from Cleaning and Catering Services You will have received HSC2001(010) entitled Implementing the NHS Plan - Modern Matrons - Strengthening the role of ward sisters and introducing senior sisters. Paragraph 4 relates to the ability of the modern matron to withhold payment from cleaning services. More detail is now available about that process. Matrons and Ward Sisters are together responsible for the quality of the patients' environment. They should be involved in setting standards for cleanliness and food service irrespective of who provides that service. If matron feels standards in ward cleanliness or food service are not being maintained, s/he has the right to pursue a course of action that may ultimately result in payment being withheld. The guidance is available at: http://www.info.doh.gov.uk/doh/point.nsf/page/18C3B0185698540500256ABF0035B61F?OpenDocument
9. Continued Payments of Royalties for use of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Technique The PCR technique is widely used by the NHS in laboratory diagnostic services, including microbiology, haematology and genetic testing, and also in biomedical research. The Department of Health (DH) is aware of some confusion caused, by media coverage, about the revocation of one of F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd's (Roche) patents on the PCR technique. This has caused some Trusts to question whether they should still be paying royalties to Roche, under the model licence negotiated between DH and Roche in 1995. The patent that was revoked is not one of the two patents (EP 0 200 362 and EP 0 201 184) that the NHS is licensed to use. All the licence contracts concluded with Trusts remain fully in force and unchanged. Trusts should therefore maintain royalty payments to Roche.
10. Re: MISC (99) 41 Antimicrobial Resistance: Laboratories Involvement With MRL Pharmaceutical Services TSN Database ('The Surveillance Network') In 1999, the company, Focus Technologies Inc. (formerly MRL) had been actively recruiting laboratories to participate in a surveillance network for antimicrobial resistance (TSNtm - 'The Surveillance Network'). Some laboratories had already entered into pilot studies with Focus Technologies. The process involves the installation of software capable of downloading routine antimicrobial susceptibility results at no cost to the participant. The anonymity of patients and participating institutions is protected. Circular MISC 99(41) (http://www.info.doh.gov.uk/doh/coin4.nsf/page/MISC-(99)41?OpenDocument), based on Court of Appeal (R -v- Dept of Health ex parte Source Informatics 28th May 1999), advised that participation in this network could be illegal and advised laboratories to cease participation. A subsequent ruling by the Court of Appeal (R -v- Dept of Health ex parte Source Informatics 21st December 1999) has clarified the law as it relates to the provision of anonymous data to third party organisations and the duty of confidentiality. In view of this clarification it has become clear that the Department's original advice no longer applies. The Department of Health is of the opinion that there are currently no legal impediments to the participation of NHS laboratories in this network.
NHS / Social Care interest A series of training days for NHS nurses are being held in Regions this month. An electronic version of the training material, a practice guide and workbook, is available now at http://www.doh.gov.uk/jointunit/freenursingcare/. An electronic version of a leaflet, NHS Funded Nursing Care - What it means for you, that explains the new arrangements for residents, their families and carers, will be added to the web site over the next few days. Printed versions of the leaflet will be issued via HA/PCT nursing home co-ordinators and local councils from mid September." Contact: Monica Acheampong Tel: 0207 972 4094
12. HSC 2001/016 LAC (2001) 23: Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st Century - Implementation Guidance. This circular from Sarah Mullally dated 31 August is posted to a wide range of interests including local councils, social services, health authorities and education and housing networks. The White Paper `Valuing People' was published on 20 March and is the first White Paper on learning disability services for thirty years. It takes a cradle to grave and cross Government approach to improving life chances for people with learning disabilities and their families. Proposals are based on the key principles of legal and civil rights, independence, choice and inclusion. The guidance in the circular concentrates on implementing the proposals for improving the lives of adults with learning disabilities. (Action for improving the lives of children and young people is being taken forward through the Quality Protects programme.) The circular is available at: http://www.info.doh.gov.uk/doh/coin4.nsf/page/HSC-2001-016?OpenDocument and also on the learning disability website pages at www.doh.gov.uk/learningdisabilities Ref: 24483
13. Changes to Maternity Certification - Form MATB1 The Cabinet Office report "Making a Difference: Reducing General Practitioner Paperwork" announced intended changes to form MATB1 to allow GPs and midwives to sign the form from 20 weeks before the expected week of confinement rather than the existing 14 weeks. The change is intended to enable GPs and midwives to align issuing the certificate with scheduled antenatal appointment times thus eliminating the requirement for an additional appointment. Amendment has been made to the Social Security (Medical Evidence) Regulations 1976 and the Statutory Maternity Pay (Medical Evidence) Regulations 1987. From 28 September 2001:
The revised MATB1 form is being re-printed to reflect this change and the form has also been updated in accordance with existing regulations; so that midwives who complete the form should give the expiry date of UKCC registration as well as their UKCC pin number. The revised MATB1 form will be available for health authorities to order from 10th September 2001 from Secure Printing Systems Ltd. Gorse Street, Chadderton, Oldham. Fax 0161 6832450. Orders should be submitted by fax on headed paper. The current style MATB1 may still be issued on or after 28 September. Further information about this change can be found on the Department for Work and Pensions website - visit www.dss.gov.uk and click on 'Information for professionals and advisers,' then 'Information for medical practitioners.'
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 - ©2001 Back to Chief Executive's Bulletin Home PagePublished by the
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