Linda Ferguson
                         Library Services Manager
                         NHS Executive North West
                        930-932 Birchwood Boulevard
                              Millennium Park
                                 Birchwood
                                  WA3 7QN

                             Tel: 01925 704263
                             Fax: 01925 704241
                   E-mail: [log in to unmask]


From: Linda Ferguson@DOH on 06/04/2000 10:14


To:   [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask]
cc:
Subject:  CIRCULARS : Chief Executive's Bulletin for 24th -30th March 2000

Dear All

Here is a copy of the e-mail sent to all Chief Executives announcing DH
circulars and related publications. To reduce the problems with
attachments, I am pasting the text into this e-mail.  You can see the
bulletin online at:
   http://www.doh.gov.uk/cebulltin.htm

**************************************************
Issue 8

The Chief Executives’ Bulletin is sent to NHS and Local Authority Chief
Executives and Directors of Social Services. It is e-mailed weekly on a
Thursday.

The Bulletin tells you of all circulars and other material published, where
to find them and whether hard copies have been mailed.

This e-mail alerts you to the latest Bulletin but does not have “live”
links to individual documents. Please use the link below to access a web
version with direct links to individual documents
http://www.doh.gov.uk/cebulletin/index.htm

You can either print copies of documents from the website or order items
appearing in the Bulletin from the Responseline 0541 555 455, unless
individual items give alternative arrangements

Please click on this http://www.doh.gov.uk/cebulletin/index.htm for an
on-line version of this bulletin which has hyper-text links to the
individual publications contained in the Bulletin. Hard copy versions of
these publications can be ordered from the NHS Responseline 0541 555 455.

NHS interest


Modernisation of NHS Research and Development

“Research and Development for a First Class Service: R&D Funding in the new
NHS” sets out a new statement of policy and principles for NHS R&D Funding
together with a programme to develop a quality framework for NHS R&D.
These reforms will:

-    Ensure NHS R&D funding supports the modernisation of the NHS.
-    Target NHS money on the R&D priorities and needs of the NHS, and on
providing the NHS base for high quality science.
-    Focus NHS R&D in areas of top priority for the NHS, initially in the
key areas of cancer, heart disease and mental health.
-    Promote joined up working between partners in R&D  - illustrated by
the new strategic alliance between the Department of Health and the Higher
Education Funding Council for England.
-    Promote effective collaborations, partnerships and networks between
researchers and the organisations involved with R&D in the NHS.
-    Improve governance and accountability for the use of NHS R&D funds.
-    Strengthen performance management of NHS spending linked to R&D.

Research and Development for a First Class Service: R&D funding in the new
NHS is available at www.doh.gov.uk/research/rdannounce.htm

The report of the Strategic Review of the NHS R&D Levy, on which the
programme is based, is on the same web site.  Annexed to it are reports on
research priorities for the NHS in: cancer; heart disease and stroke;
mental health; primary care; ageing; and accidental injury.

Copies of these papers can also be obtained from Leesa Rayton, Research and
Development Directorate, Department of Health, Room 5W58 Quarry House,
Leeds. LS2 7UE, telephone 0113-2546163, e-mail: [log in to unmask]


Compensation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

27/3/00 - The Department of Trade and Industry has authorised the companies
Healthcall  and  MPC  to  obtain the medical records of some 100,000 miners
seeking   compensation  for  respiratory  disease.  MPC  will  provide  NHS
organisations  with  a  list of the claimants for whom they will be seeking
records  and will visit premises to scan the records. Prior to scanning the
records,  MPC  will  provide  a  signed mandate from the claimant (or their
widow  or  estate)  confirming  that  they  consent to the release of their
records  for these purposes. NHS organisations will be paid fees by the DTI
to cover the cost of retrieving records.  It is important to note that this
is not a request for access to the record by the claimant or the claimant’s
lawyer  and  it  is  a  request  by  the  DTI  for disclosure of records in
connection with ongoing litigation. NHS organisations are asked to do their
utmost  to  co-operate  with  the DTI and their agents. Further details are
given in a letter issued by Sir Alan Langlands on 28 March.

Ref. 21394 e-mailed to CE's of HA'a and Trusts


The link between the Requirements for Accreditation (RFA) and Computer
Reimbursement

28/3/00 - RFA99 (General Medical Practice Computer Systems Requirements for
Accreditation - RFA99) was published in October 1999 and accreditation
testing will be routinely available for suppliers from April 2000.
Consequently all references to RFA4 which specify a link to computer
reimbursement decisions within paragraph 3 of  FHSL(97)47 should now be
read as though the term RFA4 was replaced by RFA99.

Ref. 21309 Mailed to HA Finance Directors 28/3/00


 “The GP Registrar Scheme – Vocational Training for General Medical
Practice – the UK Guide”

HSC 1999/230  issued in October 1999, notified the NHS and the medical
profession of the planned introduction of enhanced management arrangements
for general practice vocational training from 1 April 2000.

The Department of Health has now published comprehensive guidance setting
out the new arrangements for the management and delivery of general
practice vocational training. The guidance applies to the whole of the
United Kingdom and may be read in conjunction with the Directions to Health
Authorities concerning GP Registrars. These arrangements replace those
previously set out in paragraph 38 of the Statement of Fees and Allowances.

Copies of the guidance are being distributed directly to those most closely
involved in GP training, and it is also available in an electronic version
on the Department of Health website
www.doh.gov.uk/medicaltrainingintheuk/index.htm Further copies may be
obtained from the Department of Health, PO Box 777, London, SE1 6HX.

Ref. 20853  Also mailed to HA Directors of Finance


NHS/Social Care interest


Implementation of Health Act - Partnership Arrangements
HSC 2000/010 : LAC (2000)9

Circular html
www.doh.gov.uk/jointunit/implementation.htm

27/3/00 - The aim of the 1999 Health Act Section 31 Partnership
Arrangements is to improve services for users, through pooled funds and the
delegation of functions, (lead commissioning and integrated provision).
They are permissive powers to support better co-ordination and innovative
approaches to securing services.  The HSC 2000/10 LAC(2000)9 must be read
in conjunction with the Regulations (2000/617). "NHS Bodies and Local
Authorities Partnership Arrangements Regulations 2000"
www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2000/20000617.htm  Partners wishing to use
the arrangements must notify the appropriate NHS regional office of their
intention to use the powers. They will be key to national and local
strategies as identified in the Health Improvement Plan.  Further guidance
can be found on the DH website, at www.doh.gov.uk/jointunit/index.htm with
links to associated guidance.

Guidance
www.doh.gov.uk/jointunit/guidance.htm

Ref. 21395  To be mailed to Chairs of HA's, Trusts, PCG's  and CE's of
Primary Care Trusts w/c 3/4/00 Hard copies available 6/4/00.


The Social Services Inspectorate – Who we are and what we do
CI(2000)5

27/3/00 - The Social Services Inspectorate – Who we are and what we do will
help you get the
maximum benefit from your contact with us. I would be grateful if you would
circulate it widely amongst your staff.

Booklet
www.doh.gov.uk/scg/ssiwwawwd.htm


Ref.  CI  letter  20870 Report 20871 Mailed to Directors of Social Services
29/3/00 Hard copies available.


There has been a delay in the production of hard copies of “The National
Service Framework (NSF) on Coronary Heart Disease” – mentioned in Bulletin
issue 5 (3-9 March 2000). These will be mailed to HAs, Trusts, PCGs, GP
practices and Local Authorities week commencing 3 April 2000. Copies
requested from the Responseline will be sent shortly afterwards.


Social Services Interest


Support Grant for Social Services for People with Aids:
Financial 2000/2001 Year - Supplementary Credit Approvals for Hiv/Aids
Housing Related Expenditure: Financial Year 2000/2001
LAC(2000)12

29/3/00 - This circular explains arrangements for continuation in 2000/2001
of  the  AIDS  Support  Grant  scheme.   Authorities  are invited to submit
expenditure plans for 2000/2001 against the indicative allocations attached
at Annex B as soon as possible but no later than 28 April 2000.

Authorities are also invited to bid for a Supplementary Credit Approval for
HIV/AIDS related housing projects.

Ref. 21389 Hard copies available 4/4/00



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 - ©2000




Linda Ferguson





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