Chief Executive Bulletin: 14 - 20 July 2000 Issue 24
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Hard copy versions of these publications can be ordered from the NHS Responseline 0541 555 455.
Contents:
NHS interest
1. HSC 2000/023 Improving Quality and Performance In The New NHS: NHS Performance Indicators
2. Operational arrangements for the NHS National Plan launch
3. HSC 2000/024 NHS Bursary Scheme (Third Edition) New Bursary Rates for NHS Funded Health Care Professional Students
4. Future Provision of NHS Genetic Testing Services for Predisposition to Breast and Ovarian Cancer (BRCA testing)
5. Nice Referral Workshop
6. HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis: Guidance from the UK Chief Medical Officers' Expert Advisory Group on AIDS -issued July 2000
NHS and Social Care interest
7. HSC 2000/025 Legislation: Human Rights Act, Working Time Regulations, Parental and Maternity Leave Regulations and Part-Time Workers Regulations
8. LAC (2000) 17 Legislation - Human Rights Act 1998
9. Tracking Progress in Children's Services
10. Hazard Notice - MDA HN2000(08) Draeger 600 W Radiant Heaters Found In: Babytherm 8000 Open Care & Resuscitation Units, Babytherm 4200, Resuscitation Units PP800 & PP8000
11. Safety Notice - MDA SN2000(12) Meditech Ltd Non-Sterile Products Enforcement Action Now Lifted
Social Care interest
12. Better Care, Higher Standards - A Charter For Long Term Care Local Charters - **Action Required**
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NHS interest
1. Improving Quality and Performance In The New NHS: NHS Performance Indicators
14/7/00 - HSC 2000/023
In July 1998 A First Class Service: Quality in the New NHS outlined a three part approach to improving quality - new national standards; dependable local delivery systems; and improved monitoring and performance assessment. This circular is concerned with the third part and accompanies the second set of NHS Performance Indicators to be published (replacing HSC 1999/139, dated 16 June 1999). This indicator set updates, expands and brings together in one document the High Level Performance Indicators (HLPIs) and the Clinical Indicators (CIs) to support the implementation of the NHS Performance Assessment Framework (PAF). The HLPIs and CIs provide useful information about the quality, efficiency and outcomes of NHS services to enable Health Authorities, Primary Care Groups and NHS Trusts, working with local partner agencies, to monitor, improve and report locally their performance so that patients across England have access to the same high standards of care.
Link to HSC 2000/023
Link to Performance Indicators
http://www.doh.gov.uk/nhsperformanceindicators/index.htm
Ref. HSC 21947 Report 21946. Mailed to all NHS Chief Executives, Chairs and Directors. Hard copies available.
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2. Operational arrangements for the NHS National Plan Launch
18/7/00 - E-mail to NHS chief executives
This note sets out the operational arrangements for the launch of the NHS National Plan later this month. It describes how to obtain a copy of the plan on the day of launch, and the products that will be available to help you communicate the contents of the plan to staff.
Link to e-mail text
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3. NHS Bursary Scheme (Third Edition) New Bursary Rates for NHS Funded Health Care Professional Students
17/7/00 - HSC 2000/024
Bursary rates for NHS funded nursing and midwifery diploma level students and degree level nursing, midwifery and PAMs students. Medical students undertaking their second year of the new starter graduate entry degree course in September 2000, will receive NHS funding and will be eligible for a means-tested Bursary at the same rates as other degree level health care professionals.
Recipients are asked to note that the new rates are effective from 1 September 2000.
Ref. 22043 Will be mailed to NHS Chief Executives and Trust Directors of Nursing w/c 24/7/00. Hard copies will be available w/c 24/7/00.
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4. Future Provision of NHS Genetic Testing Services for Predisposition to Breast and Ovarian Cancer (BRCA testing)
20/7/00 - 15 Regional Genetics Centres in the UK currently offer BRCA-testing. The tests involve detection of mutations in the genetic sequence of the BRCA 1 and/or BRCA 2 genes.
A commercial BRCA-testing service was recently launched in the UK using technology developed by a U.S. company, Myriad Genetics, Inc. DH solicitors advise that the NHS laboratories which offer BRCA-testing are potentially infringing Myriad Genetics' intellectual property rights. If a claim for damages is filed and is successful, the damages could be substantial.
The Department of Health is currently in negotiations with Myriad Genetics' U.K. licensee, with the objective to 1.) Provide optimal services to NHS patients at reasonable cost using NHS facilities; and 2.) Protect the NHS Trusts concerned from infringement action being taken against them. The likelihood of reaching an appropriate agreement will be maximized if all parties work together.
Link to Letter
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5. Nice Referral Workshop
14/7/00 - Dr Paul Zollinger-Read is organising a workshop to evaluate the NICE referral advice on Thursday 10th August at the Jarvis Grand Hotel, Leicester. This letter invites small teams of GPs, Nurses, Consultants and Managers from Primary Care Groups/Primary Care Trusts and Trusts to attend
Link to letter
If you would like any further information then please email Dr Paul Zollinger-Read on [log in to unmask] or Pamela Fraser on [log in to unmask]
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6. HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis: Guidance from the UK Chief Medical Officers' Expert Advisory Group on AIDS
14/7/00 - This document updates 1997 guidelines on occupational HIV post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) from the UK Chief Medical Officers' Expert Advisory Group on AIDS (EAGA).
Newly included are sections which consider the issues of health care workers seconded overseas (including medical and dental students), and exposure to HIV outside the health care setting. New annexes refer to recommended drug regimens, drug resistance, drug interactions and special considerations for health care workers who are, or may be pregnant. The main sections of the guidance apply to occupational exposure in the health care setting of health care workers to material which is known to be, or has the potential to be a source of HIV infection.
Link to report - http://www.doh.gov.uk/eaga
Further copies of the guidance and PL/CO can be obtained from Ruth Hickson Room 719 at the Department of Health, Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Rd. London SE1 8UG. Or by fax on: 020 7972 4354.
Ref. 21990 Mailed to NHS Chief Executives, Directors of Public Health and Trust Medical and Nurse Directors
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NHS / Social Care interest
7. Legislation: Human Rights Act, Working Time Regulations, Parental and Maternity Leave Regulations and Part-Time Workers Regulations
20/7/00 - HSC 2000/025 This circular alerts you to the following:
- The coming into force of the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA or the Act) on 2nd October 2000. Health Authorities (working with and on behalf of primary care groups), NHS Trusts and Social Services need to maintain best practice so as not to act incompatibly with the European Convention on Human Rights.
- Information on the implementation of the Working Time Regulations, Parental and Maternity Leave Regulations and the Part-time Workers Regulations.
Social Services is receiving the human rights content of this circular in a separate Local Authority Circular (see below).
Link to HSC 2000/025
http://www.doh.gov.uk/humanrights
Ref. 22033 Hard copies will be available w/c 24/7/00
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8. Legislation - Human Rights Act 1998
20/7/00 - LAC (2000) 17 - This circular alerts you to the coming into force of the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA or the Act) on 2nd October 2000 and the need for Social Services to maintain best practice so as not to act incompatibly with the European Convention on Human Rights.
Health Authorities (working with and on behalf of primary care groups) and NHS Trusts are receiving the content of this circular combined with human resources issues in a separate Health Service Circular 2000/025.
Link to LAC (2000) 17
http://www.doh.gov.uk/humanrights
Ref. 22034 Will be mailed to Directors of Social Services w/c 24/7/00. Hard copies will be available w/c 24/7/00
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9. Tracking Progress in Children's Services
19/7/00 - In January, English councils with Social Services responsibilities submitted 'Management Action Plans' (MAPs) to the Department of Health. These set out their plans for improving children's services under the Quality Protects programme. Social Services Inspectors evaluated the 150 MAPs. Tracking Progress, compiled by consultant Diana Robbins, reports on the findings of those evaluations.
Diana reports significant progress over the first full year of the Quality Protects programme. For example, she reports that 'real achievements have been made in terms of data collection and strategic planning' and that Quality Protects is beginning to improve children's life experiences and life chances. Nonetheless, the evaluations found that weaknesses remain and that the change that Quality Protects has engendered needs to be sustained and developed to ensure better services for children and their families.
Link to reports - http://www.doh.gov.uk/scg/tracking.htm
Ref. Report 22012 Summary 22019 Mailed to HA Chief Executives and LA Chief Executives with PSS Responsibilities and Directors of Social Services. Hard copies available.
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10. HAZARD NOTICE - MDA HN2000(08) Draeger 600 W Radiant Heaters Found In: Babytherm 8000 Open Care & Resuscitation Units, Babytherm 4200, Resuscitation Units PP800 & PP8000
This Hazard Notice was issued on 14 July 2000 to NHS Trust, Health Authority and Primary Care Trust Chief Executives. As usual, it was also faxed to Trust and Health Authority Liaison Officers for immediate action and for onward distribution as specified in the Notice.
For further information on the role and nomination of liaison officers e-mail us at: [log in to unmask] http://www.medical-devices.gov.uk
Electronic version of the Hazard Notice can be found at: www.medical-devices.gov.uk/hn2000(08).htm
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11. SAFETY NOTICE - MDA SN2000(12) Meditech Ltd Non-Sterile Products Enforcement Action Now Lifted
This Safety Notice was issued on 4 July to NHS Trust, Health Authority, Primary Care Trust Chief Executives and Directors of Social Services Departments. As usual it was also issued to Liaison Officers of Trusts, Health Authorities and Social Services Departments for action and for onward distribution as specified in the Notice.
For further information on the role and nomination of Liaison Officers e-mail us at: [log in to unmask] http://www.medical-devices.gov.uk.htm
Electronic version of the Safety Notices can be found at: www.medical-devices.gov.uk/sn2000(12).htm
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Social Care Interest
12. Better Care, Higher Standards - A Charter For Long Term Care Local Charters - **Action Required**
Following publication of the national charter in December 1999, local authorities, led by social service departments, will have published local Better Care, Higher Standards charters by 30 June 2000. You are requested, by the end of July, to send one copy of your local charter to your SSI Social Care Regional Office, and two copies to: Ike Damon, Department of Health, Room 216, Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UG
We plan to undertake an analysis of the first charters in order to inform and improve the development of these evolving documents. Further guidance will be issued towards the end of the year, highlighting good practice and offering further advice to shape charters in 2001-02.
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
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