Health Management and Policy Alert

National Child Measurement Programme: publication of legal Directions

These Directions allow the NHS Information Centre and PCTs to continue to process National Child Measurement Programme data.

• Directions
• Department of Health - publications

Update to Green Book: chapter 19 influenza

Chapter 19 of the Green Book has been updated to reflect the voluntary withdrawal by the manufacturers of Preflucel vaccine batch VNV5L010C on 21 October 2011.

• Update
• The Green Book - all chapters and updates
• Department of Health - press release

VIE (Vacuum insulated evaporator) main storage vessel for bulk medical oxygen supply

The Department of Health has issued an Estates and Facilities Alert relating to an uncontrolled release of liquid oxygen from a VIE device, installed at an acute hospital in Wales. The hospital involved implemented their emergency procedures which included calling the fire and rescue services to attend the incident. Information in the alert explains that authorities should ensure that appropriate policy and procedures are in place in the event of a similar occurrence happening on their site.

• Alert
• Department of Health - letters and circulars
• Department of Health - press release

Influenza vaccine uptake among frontline healthcare workers data collection

This dear colleague letter provides specific details on healthcare workers' influenza vaccine uptake survey for 2011/12.

• Letter
• Department of Health - letters 

Public consultation on regulations to transpose Organ Directive 2010/53/EU into UK legislation

Comments are invited as part of a consultation on draft Quality and Safety of Organs for Transplantation Regulations that transpose Directive 2010/53/EU on the standards of quality and safety of human organs intended for transplantation. The deadline for comments is 21 December 2011.

• Consultation document
• Directive 2010/45/EU
• Impact assessments
• Department of Health - consultations 

Electric traction lifts without motor rooms (also known as MRL lifts - machine roomless lifts)

The Department has issued an Estates and Facilities Alert in order to clarify requirements for MRL lift installations with regard to power supplies, maintenance checks and rescue procedures in the event of breakdowns.

• Alert
• Department of Health - letters and circulars
• Department of Health - press release

The drugs recovery pilot bids

Following a request for initial expressions of interest in December 2010 through an 'invitation to participate', 29 applications were received. Of these, 16 were shortlisted. Representatives from these shortlisted areas were invited to submit a second stage application. Full applications were received from 12 areas and 8 of these were of high enough quality and had suitably innovative approaches to be taken forward. The documents that formed these winning bids are now available.

• Bid documents

Government response to the House of Lords report of session 2010-12: No vaccine, no cure: HIV and AIDS in the United Kingdom

This paper summarises the Government's response to the House of Lords Select Committee paper and outlines how the White Paper Healthy Lives, Healthy People sets out the strategy for reform of public health, including HIV and sexual health. It also details commitments on HIV vaccine research and prevention programmes.

• Report
• Department of Health - publications

Commissioning of substance misuse services from April 2013

This joint letter from the Director of Offender Health and the Director of Delivery for the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse explains the commissioning of prison-based substance misuse services post-April 2013.

• Letter
• Department of Health - letters

Long term health conditions 2011: research study

This study by Ipsos MORI for the Department of Health explores attitudes towards 'self-care' and, the public's perceptions and behaviour with regard to both their own health and the NHS generally. It aims to capture the attitudes and behaviour of those people with a long term condition regarding the self management of their condition and their use of healthcare services.

• Study
• Department of Health - publications