Health Management and Policy Alert

Checklist for reporting, managing and investigating Information Governance Serious Untoward Incidents

This document provides guidance for all NHS staff in managing Information Governance Serious Untoward Incidents. It should be used in conjunction with previous issued guidance and local guidance issued by the SHAs. (Department of Health - publications)

Standards for the management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

These standards provide a framework for monitoring performance which covers the core principles of STI care, staff training, clinical assessment and management, diagnostics, information governance, links to other services, clinical governance and the engagement of patients and the public. (British Association for Sexual Health and HIV - publications)

Delivering same-sex accommodation in mental health and learning disability services

This briefing summarises existing national policy and good practice on same-sex accommodation, explains what support is available to organisations that need to make improvements, and sets out what both providers and commissioners can do to ensure same-sex accommodation becomes a reality for all. (NHS Confederation - publications)

Reforming general practice boundaries

This paper studies the implications of removing practice boundaries and the opportunities to improve GP choice and access. (BMA - publications)

Getting the measure of quality: opportunities and challenges

This report offers information about how quality is defined and how quality measures can be used or misused. It sets out the main debates and choices faced by those involved in measuring and using data on quality and outlines some practical issues to be considered in choosing and using quality measures. (The King's Fund - publications)

Funding and performance of healthcare systems in the four countries of the UK before and after devolution

Political devolution means there are now four National Health Services in the United Kingdom. The health services of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are all funded by the UK taxpayer, but have developed different systems of governance and different methods of providing healthcare.  This report examines the impact of this by studying key performance indicators for the NHS in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland at three time points – 1996/7, 2002/3 and 2006/7. The report also undertakes a completely new comparison of NHS performance in the English regions and the devolved countries. This is the first time such an analysis has been conducted.
(Nuffield Trust - publications)

'Count me in' census 2009

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published this report which recommends that the NHS, councils and wider community bodies should work together to improve preventative services to ensure that they meet the mental health needs of people from black and minority ethnic groups. To reduce the risk of admission and detention, the report underlines the need for better needs assessments and bespoke community-based services.
(CQC - publications)

Changes to the childhood pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

A letter to immunisation leads and coordinators to inform them of a replacement vaccine that will be introduced into the childhood routine immunisation programme in the spring. (Department of Health - publications)

Adult autism strategy consultation: a summary of the submissions received in response to the online consultation

The consultation on the future strategy for adults with autistic spectrum conditions (ASC) closed on 15 September 2009. Over 1,100 responses were received, including people with ASC, families and carers, voluntary sector organisations and health and social care bodies. This report highlights the findings from the consultation including the importance of training, awareness raising and better diagnosis pathways. (Department of Health - publications)

Pandemic flu training module for mental health trusts, tertiary and associated specialist trusts

This guidance is based on the recently updated guidance for mental health services on planning and responding to an outbreak of pandemic flu. (Department of Health - publications)