Health Management and Policy Alert

31/08/05 - Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) data used in new long-term conditions database

The database contains information on the prevalence and management of long-term conditions. It is made up of results from the new GP payment system, the QOF. The QOF is a part of the new General Medical Services (nGMS) contract that resources and rewards GPs for how well they care for patients rather than simply how many they treat. Data from the QOF includes: scores by PCT and prevalence data Further QOF information can be found on the Health and Social Care Information Centre Web site.

(DH - press release) BBC news item

31/08/05 - Hospital at Night - final evaluation report

The implementation and impact of 'Hospital at Night' pilot projects: an evaluation report was commissioned by the NHS Modernisation Agency to look into the Hospital at Night pilot projects. This evaluation was part of a wider programme of research to evaluate the impact of the NHS Modernisation Agency’s Working Time Directive pilots. The model was piloted in four NHS hospital trusts in May 2003. (NHS Networks - news)

30/08/05 - NHS staff earnings survey - August 2004

The 2004 earnings survey is based on a one month sample (August) of 51% of NHS trusts that use a specific common payroll system. The system includes information for each individual directly employed by the trust. Information on basic pay, allowances and other payments is calculated to provide average annual salary (basic pay) and average annual earnings (amount paid including allowances, overtime, etc.) for NHS workers within their particular staff groups.

(DH - statistics)

30/08/05 - New NLH Management hot topics

24/48 hour access target for primary care ;

Choosing Health - workforce implications for primary care ; and

Prison health and primary care

30/08/05 - Investment in cancer services

Figures published today in a new report show that since 2000/01, additional investment in cancer services has reached £639 million – that’s £69 million more than was committed in the NHS Cancer Plan. The figures cover the period 2001/01 to 2003/04 and show that:

• £192 million was spent on cancer drugs and £230 million was spent on other services, such as specialist staff;
• £113 million was mainly invested in new equipment; and,
• £103 million went towards staff training, modernising services and palliative care.

Professor Mike Richards, National Director for Cancer, undertook the exercise to track the additional funding being allocated to cancer services and check that the money was getting through to the frontline.
(DH - press release) BBC news item

29/08/05 - Prosecutions for assaults on NHS staff

Figures released today by the NHS Security Management Service show a fifteen-fold increase in the number of prosecutions against those who physically assault NHS staff.  During 2004/05 there were 759 prosecutions compared to 51 cases identified in 2002/03. The NHS Security Management Service has put in place a range of measures since November 2003 to help increase the number of prosecutions against offenders and prevent violence against staff.  These include:

• Creating a new Legal Protection Unit to ensure legal action is taken against anyone who assaults NHS staff, including taking private prosecutions in partnership with the relevant NHS organisation.
• Introducing a new network of Local Security Management Specialists who will work in partnership with the police to investigate assaults on staff and ensure appropriate action is taken
• A new national reporting system for physical assaults so that the nature of the problem can be properly assessed and repeat offenders can be tracked

The NHS Security Management Service has also been negotiating an agreement with the Association of Chief Police Officers which will be signed later this year. It will commit both organisations to closer working in investigating and prosecuting these crimes.
(DH - press release) BBC news item

29/08/05 - Review of general ophthalmic services

The review will look at making best use of general ophthalmic services to increase patient choice and improve access to optical services. The Minister of State for Health Services, Rosie Winterton said, "The review will consider how NHS ophthalmic services can build on current arrangements to improve service to patients. By allowing primary care trusts to contract optical services from a wider range of providers, patients will benefit from greater access to optical primary care services." The Department of Health aims to complete the review early in 2006.  Views will be sought from stakeholders including patient groups, the NHS and representatives of independent contractors to inform consideration of the issues. (DH - press release)

26/08/05 Healthcare Associated Infection - Surveillance of Clostridium Difficile Associated Disease (CDAD) and Glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE)

Surveillance of Clostridium difficile associated disease (CDAD) and Surveillance of glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE) are both included in the mandatory healthcare associated infection surveillance system for acute Trusts in England,  CDAD since January 2004 and GRE since September 2003. This scheme is co-ordinated by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) on behalf of the Department of Health. CDAD Data is collected quarterly from each of the 169 acute NHS Trusts in England that treat patients aged 65 years and over (children’s Trusts are excluded). GRE Data is collected quarterly from each of the 173 acute NHS Trusts in England .

Further information on both of these is available from the Health Protection Agency Healthcare Associated Infection web site.

(DH GRE press release, CDAD press release, BBC news story)

26/08/05 Updated Hot Topics - National Library for Health Management

Hospital at Night, European Working Time Directive and Healthcare Associated Infection have been updated. 

25/08/05 National Chlamydia Screening Programme Programme: Phase 3 guide

The National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) Phase 3 Implementation Guide has been compiled to help and support Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) and Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) establish local screening programmes.

Tackling the prevalence of chlamydia through the accelerated implementation of the screening programme is one of the key commitments in the 'Choosing Health White Paper'.

(DH web site)