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> 26th January 2009 / Issue 145
> The weekly news bulletin from your world class commissioning partner
>

>
> ****************************
> Insight of the week
> ****************************
>
> ===> NHS Constitution published
>
> The NHS Constitution was published on 21 January. It brings together
> in one place for the first time in the history of the NHS what staff,
> patients and public can expect from the NHS.
>
> The Constitution explains that by working together we can make the
> very best of finite resources to improve our health and wellbeing, to
> keep mentally and physically well, to get better when we are ill, and
> when we cannot recover to stay as well as we can to the end of our
> lives.
>
> The Constitution reaffirms that everyone has a role to play in the
> success of the NHS. Dedicated guidance and web pages have been created
> to provide you with everything you need to know about the NHS
> Constitution. Find out more at:
> http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/NHSConstitution/index.htm
>
> The text of NHS chief executive David Nicholson's letter is available
> at:
> http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/NHSConstitution/index.htm
>
>
> ===> NHS takes the lead on leadership
>
> Health Minister Lord Darzi and NHS chief executive David Nicholson
> last week unveiled plans for a new National Leadership Council (NLC)
> that will help nurture the next generation of NHS leaders.
>
> Further details are available at:
> http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/News/Recentstories/DH_093423
>
>
>
> ********************
> You@PCC
> ********************
>
> You@ is your adviser's online consulting room where you can look at
> events and get news and views that matter to you. Via You@ you can
> access Your Community where you can network with colleagues, share
> information, get tips from the top, book a 1 to 1 with your adviser.
> Go now to see what's new this week at:
> http://www.pcc.nhs.uk/you
>
>
> ===> Regional highlight of the week
>
> ===> Chief dental officer visits east of England
>
> Barry Cockcroft, chief dental officer, visited the east of England
> regional at the request of NHS Suffolk and Suffolk LDC on the evening
> of 21 January. He gave a presentation focusing on the importance of
> delivering and commissioning a quality NHS dental service,
> highlighting the priority of world class dental commissioning as
> outlined in the 2009/10 Operating Framework. He also shared copies of
> the Department of Health's response to the Health Select Committee
> Report which looked at dental service provision and outlined the
> objectives of the Steele review. Over 50 service providers attended
> this evening event where Barry also addressed local queries and
> issues.
>
>
> ===> Dental contracts review event comes to the west midlands
>
> The west midlands dental event to review the NHS dental contracts for
> April 2009 and beyond will be held on 11 February at the Studio,
> Birmingham. Please book online at:
> http://www.pcc.nhs.uk/events/all/1190
>
>
>
> ********************
> Commissioning
> ********************
>
> ===> Personal health budgets: the shape of things to come?
>
> The 2008 NHS Next Stage Review endorsed the proposal to include NHS
> funding within personal budgets. A report from the NHS Confederation
> explores the potential of personalisation and is designed to stimulate
> further debate on how this development will impact on mainstream
> commissioning and provision of NHS services.
>
> The report is available at:
> http://www.nhsconfed.org/membersarea/downloads/download.asp?ref=4927&hash=28db1564e08f58f5e1623cf3688abdbf
>
> An NHS Confederation press release is available at:
> http://www.nhsconfed.org/issues/mediacentre-listing.cfm/pressrelease/866
>
>
> ===> Views sought on drivers of practice based commissioning
>
> Please take a few seconds to vote in the poll on the NHS Networks site
> on the drivers of practice based commissioning and use the forum
> provided to put your views. The poll is available at:
> http://www.networks.nhs.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=2491
>
>
> ===> Supporting people with long term conditions: commissioning
> personalised care planning - a guide for commissioners
>
> This guide aims to provide commissioners of health and social care
> services with the information and support they need to embed
> personalised care planning in their localities. This should ensure
> that people with long term conditions receive more individualised care
> and services to help them manage their conditions better and achieve
> the outcomes they want for themselves. The guide was developed in
> collaboration with stakeholders across health, social care, the
> voluntary and independent sectors and patient representative groups.
>
> Download a copy of the guide as a PDF from:
> http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_093354?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=182286&Rendition=Web
>
>
>
> ********************
> Primary Medical Care
> ********************
>
> ===> GPs too slow to refer arthritis patients to specialist care, says
> King's Fund
>
> Clinicians and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) believe that
> many GPs remain insufficiently aware of the indicators that may
> suggest RA or the importance of early referral to specialist care for
> rapid aggressive therapy to prevent damage to joints.
>
> This is the main finding of a report published last week by The King's
> Fund and commissioned by the Rheumatology Futures Project Group. The
> report recommends a process of GP education to raise levels of
> knowledge and awareness of RA and that GPs must be more aware about
> local services that are available to RA patients.
>
> The report highlights inconsistencies, poor GP knowledge and
> "underlying uncertainty" about managing flares which are experienced
> by 90% of patients. The report concludes that medical education should
> play a role in increasing the awareness of future GPs about RA and
> cites medical professionals who say that rheumatoid arthritis is
> "given minimal attention and often lost in the focus on orthopaedics."
>
>
> A copy of the report is available at:
> http://www.rheumatoid.org.uk/article.php?article_id=617
>
>
>
> ********************
> Pharmacy
> ********************
>
> ===> Pharmacy in England: building on strengths, delivering the
> future: proposals for legislative change - consultation summary report
> relating to proposals for primary legislation
>
> A consultation on proposals for structural change within the pharmacy
> white paper took place from August to November 2008. This report
> contains an analysis of consultation responses on proposals relating
> to primary legislation together with feedback from public listening
> events.
>
> The report is available at:
> http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Responsestoconsultations/DH_093264?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=182013&Rendition=Web
>
>
>
> ===> NPC publishes management guide to prescribing
>
> The National Prescribing Centre (NPC) has published a new guide for
> all NHS managers to help improve understanding of key issues in
> medicines use.
>
> 'All you need to know about prescribing, the drugs bill and medicines
> management' is intended to be a readily accessible quick reference
> guide which will enable all NHS managers to gain an understanding of
> the fundamentals of medicine use. It provides a basic understanding of
> how medicines are managed and regulated throughout the NHS to ensure
> safe, effective and cost-effective usage.
>
> In addition it highlights areas in which managers should be working
> with colleagues involved in prescribing and medicines management
> within their own and partner organisations.
>
> Hard copies of the guide are being distributed to primary and
> secondary care organisations.
>
> The guide is also available to view or download on the National
> Prescribing Centre website at:
> http://www.npc.co.uk/npc_publications/resources/nhs_guide_for_managers.pdf
>
>
>
> ===> PCT decision making processes on medicine
>
> The Department of Health has developed guiding principles to support
> local decision making about medicines. This includes decisions on
> medicines made as part of the development of the annual operating plan
> as well as consideration of in-year service developments and
> individual funding requests (IFRs). The principles are designed to
> cover decision making across primary and secondary care on all
> medicines not, or not yet, appraised by National Institute for Health
> and Clinical Excellence (NICE). While these principles are directed at
> primary care trusts (PCTs), they should equally apply to any
> collaborative arrangements PCTs may choose to adopt.
>
> Further details are available at:
> http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Managingyourorganisation/Commissioning/DH_093414
>
>
>
> ********************
> Dentistry
> ********************
>
> ===> The new NHS Constitution - dental pledge
>
> The following dental pledge is specifically mentioned in the handbook
> accompanying the Constitution:
>
> 'The Operating Framework for 2009/10 makes it clear that PCTs need to
> continue to develop NHS dental services, with the aim of being able to
> provide dentistry for anyone who seeks help in accessing services.
> Strategic health authorities (SHAs) will be agreeing dental
> commissioning strategies with each PCT to achieve this objective.
> These plans are likely to be based on achieving the objective by or
> before the end of financial year 2010/11.'
>
> The NHS Constitution and Handbook are available at:
> http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_093421
>
>
> ===> Liverpool dentist sentenced for ghost NHS patient claims
>
> On 26 January 2009, Liverpool dentist Robert Nolan was sentenced to 20
> custodial sentences of 36 weeks each to be served concurrently,
> suspended for 18 months, after being found guilty of multiple counts
> of fraudulently claiming money from the NHS.
>
> The judge at Liverpool Crown Court also sentenced Nolan to 300 hours
> unpaid work, a three month curfew (8pm to 7am daily) requiring him to
> wear a tag, and ordered him to pay GBP1500 towards prosecution costs.
>
> Despite entering a plea of not guilty, Nolan, who ran a practice at
> Great Homer Street in Liverpool's Walton area, was found guilty on 20
> specimen counts on 26 November last year. This followed an
> investigation by the NHS Counter Fraud Service (CFS) and Merseyside
> Police.
>
> NHS CFS dental fraud team manager, Stephen McKenzie, said: "Our
> thorough investigation showed that he was systematically defrauding
> the NHS. He claimed money for patients that did not exist and for work
> that was never undertaken on his registered patients. It is despicable
> that a person in his position, a position of trust in the community,
> should steal money from the NHS. Fortunately, it is only a small
> minority of healthcare professionals that abuse the system aimed at
> delivering NHS care."
>
> CFS will consider recovery action on the overpayments made to Nolan as
> well as compensation. A case will also be submitted to the General
> Dental Council, which has the power to prevent Nolan practising as a
> dentist.
>
> Further information on the NHS CFSMS can be found at:
> http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/fraud
>
>
>
> ********************
> Eye Care
> ********************
>
> ===> New GOS sight testing and domiciliary fees published
>
> The Department of Health has published new GOS sight testing fees and
> domiciliary fees to take effect from 1 April 2008. There is also a new
> rate for the pre-registration supervisor's grant. The letter also
> includes a figure for the 2009 continuing education and training
> allowance but no action should be taken on this yet and further
> directions will be issued. Details of the new fees and allowances and
> new payment directions can be found at:
> http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Primarycare/Optical/index.htm
>
> PCTs or their support services agencies should pay arrears of the new
> sight testing fees and domiciliary fees as soon as possible to bring
> fees claimed since 1 April 2008 up to the new levels.
>
>
> ===> Coming soon - GOS contract monitoring toolkit
>
> NHS PCC is currently putting the finishing touches to a monitoring
> toolkit for the new GOS contract. We intend to consult the optical
> professional bodies on the content of the toolkit during February and
> hope to publish the toolkit at the end of March. Further details will
> appear in [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
> ********************
> QOF
> ********************
>
> ===> QOF Management Guide volume 2 now available
>
> The second part of NHS PCC's comprehensive three-volume guide to QOF
> is now available. Download a copy at:
> http://www.pcc.nhs.uk/uploads/QOF/2009/qofmanagguide2-jan09.pdf
>
>
>
> ********************
> Posts@PCC
> ********************
>
> ===> NHS PCC secondment opportunities
>
> NHS PCC is looking to expand its team of Primary Care Contracting
> Advisors (PCCAs) by four whole-time equivalent appointments to the
> south west, south central, east of England and west midlands. These
> posts may be offered on a fixed term/secondment basis. Further
> information and details on how to apply can be obtained from:
> [log in to unmask]
> or:
> [log in to unmask]
> Closing date for applications/expressions of interest is 6 February
> 2009 with interviews on 19 February 2009 in London.
>
>
> ===> Business development manager band 8a - Bristol PCT
>
> http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/vacdetails.cgi?selection=912176956
>
> Ref: 701-71180N-CR
>
>
> PCTs can provide details of their vacancies to be included in this
> section. Contact your local advisor if you would like a vacancy in
> your PCT featured.
>
>
>
> ********************
> Events@PCC
> ********************
>
>
> ===> January 2009
>
> 27th:  World Class Commissioning and System Management - The Brewery,
> London EC1Y 4SD
> http://www.pcc.nhs.uk/events/all/984
>
> 28th: Building Foundations for World Class Commissioning for Primary
> Care - Eye Care - Cambridge Belfry, Cambourne CB23 6BW
> http://www.pcc.nhs.uk/events/all/1027
>
> 29th: NHS London - Equitable Access to Primary Medical Care, ITT
> Evaluation Re-run - 17 Portland Place, W1,
> http://www.pcc.nhs.uk/events/all/1048
>
> 30th: Draft Pharmacy Order 2009 Consultation Event (Professionals) -
> The Queen's, Leeds LS1 1PL
> http://www.pcc.nhs.uk/events/all/1100
>
>
> ===> February 2009
>
> 2nd:  North West QOF Leads Network Meeting - Tickled Trout Hotel,
> Preston, PR5 0UJ, Preston PR5 0UJ
> http://www.pcc.nhs.uk/events/all/1188
>
> 3rd: The New NHS Standard Contract: Mental Health and Community
> Contracts Implementation Workshops - Holiday Inn Regents Park, London
> W1W 5EE
> http://www.pcc.nhs.uk/events/all/1090
>
> 4th: NW Primary Care Finance Leads Network - The Fir Grove, Warrington
> WA4 2LD
> http://www.pcc.nhs.uk/events/all/1104
>
> 5th: The New NHS Standard Contract: Mental Health and Community
> Contracts Implementation Workshops - Reebok Stadium: Bolton Wanderers
> FC / Devere Whites Hotel, Bolton BL6 6JW
> http://www.pcc.nhs.uk/events/all/1091
>
> 5th: NW: Primary Care Commissioning Leads Network - Macdonald Kilhey
> Court, Standish WN1 2XN
> http://www.pcc.nhs.uk/events/all/1186
>
> 5th: W Midlands Region: NHS PCC Focus Group Meeting - The Studio,
> Birmingham,
> http://www.pcc.nhs.uk/events/all/1189
>
>
> For further event dates please see:
> http://www.pcc.nhs.uk/events
>
>
>
> ********************
> Feedback and support
> ********************
>
> To comment on this briefing, please contact us at:
> [log in to unmask]
>
> For further support, contact your local NHS PCC advisor via the
> website at:
> http://www.pcc.nhs.uk/contacts
>
>
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