The 8th edition of the Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority’s (HFEA) Code of Practice, updated consent forms and HFEA Directions have now been published. They come into force on 1 October 2009. The 8th Code has been updated to reflect changes in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 and in HFEA policy. The consent forms and Directions have also been updated in line with the amended Act. (HFEA - news)
Hospital doctors must learn the basics of NHS finance to help drive greater efficiency and better outcomes for patients, according to the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and the Audit Commission. The organisations have joined together to launch this practical manual that aims to help hospital doctors get to grips with the way the money works in the health service. The guide is expected to be especially useful to medical students and doctors in the early stages of their careers. The authors of the guide say that through the greater involvement of clinicians in financial matters the NHS can achieve better value for money, more efficient and effective hospitals and better outcomes for patients. (Audit Commission - publications)
This is a consultation on draft health protection regulations to be made under the amended Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, to continue the process of modernising health protection legislation in England. The regulations cover requirements for notification of disease caused by infection or contamination by chemicals or radiation, to allow prompt investigation and response; evidential requirements and safeguards for people who might be subject to a JP order under the amended Act; and updated local authority powers to protect public health. (Department of Health - publications)
The Audit Commission is consulting on its proposed scale of fees for 2010/11 and the indicative fees for 2011/12 and 2012/13. The proposals recognise the financial pressures that public bodies are facing in the current economic climate, so the Commission has decided to double the previously announced subsidy to local government bodies to cover the one-off element of the cost of transition to new International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The Commission has brought forward the annual consultation on fees with the aim of publishing the final fee scales by the end of October 2009. This is to help audited bodies take account of proposals when they set budgets and medium-term financial planning. (Audit Commission - publications)
This report investigates access to health and social care services for people affected by Parkinson's. It reveals major inequalities in access to information and services for people with Parkinson's and their families. The report includes recommendations to the Government on how best to address the problems in access to health and social care services which were highlighted throughout the Inquiry. (All Party Parliamentary Group for Parkinson's disease - publications) [BBC Health - news]
The introduction of the statutory regulation of psychologists from 1 July 2009 means that from that date some groups of psychologists can register with the Health Professions Council (HPC). With limited exceptions, only those psychologists registered with the HPC can use certain titles protected by the HPC. From the same date, the HPC will become the Competent Authority for statutory registration of psychologists. Those employing psychologists using the protected titles should be aware that unless the transitional exceptions apply, practitioners should be registered with the HPC. The status of the HPC as Competent Authority should also be noted. (Department of Health - publications)
This report sets out a new vision for the future of mental health and well-being in England. It outlines the priorities that The Future Vision Coalition believe should underpin mental health policy for the next decade. The National Service Framework for Mental Health comes to an end later this year and the Department of Health is working towards a replacement through its New Horizons programme. This report is the result of the Future Vision Coalition's work on what the next stage of mental health policy should be. It sets out four policy principles and a range of actions for the short-term (a year), medium-term (5 years) and long-term (10 years). (The Future Vision Coalition - publications)
This is the seventh quarterly practice survey for 2009, covering a sample of practices from each PCT, conducted between April and June 2009. The aims of the survey are to get feedback from practices on their perception of the support offered by their PCT and on the clinical and financial engagement of practices with PBC. The survey is part of a group of indicators that will be assessed together to give a picture of PBC implementation. (Department of Health - publications)
Letter from David Nicholson to Trust Boards and Trust Chief Executives about the commitment to support the NHS in achieving compliance with the European working Time Directive (EWTD) by 1 August 2009. (Department of Health - publications)
The Department of Health asked the Office of Communications (Ofcom) to undertake this public consultation exercise on the introduction of a three digit number to support access to non-emergency health care in January 2009. Ofcom is responsible for allocating three digit numbers in the UK and ensuring this limited resource is put to best use. The consultation closes on 20 August 2009. (Department of Health - publications)
This briefing looks at the planning that has already taken place and sets out what boards need to be addressing now ahead of a potential upsurge in flu cases in autumn 2009. (NHS Confederation - publications)
This report describes how the regulator is responding to the challenges facing the NHS and urges all remaining NHS trusts not to lose focus in preparing their organisations for foundation trust status. It also sets out significant achievements and developments during the past twelve months in the core areas of Monitor’s work: authorising, regulating and developing NHS foundation trusts. (Monitor - publications)
Following publication of the Department of Health’s sustainable development strategy (Taking the long term view: the Department of Health’s strategy for delivering sustainable development 2008–2011), this action plan sets out how the commitments and priorities outlined will be met. (Department of Health - publications)
HSMC was commissioned by the Department of Health to undertake rapid reviews of the literature in six clinical areas to provide the evidence base for the Department of Health’s recently published Transforming Community Service Clinical Guides. They reviewed more than 18,000 studies around the world in acute services, children’s services, end of life care, long term conditions, rehabilitation services and wellbeing and inequalities. The aim of the reviews was to identify good practice in these areas which is not already widely implemented in the NHS and to assess the nature of the available research. (Health Services Management Centre - news)
This Command Paper sets out the Government's response to the conclusions and recommendations made by the House of Commons Select Committee report on top-up fees which was published on 12 May 2009. (Department of Health - publications)
