The week: 5 – 11 October 2012 
for NHS and social care leaders

Issue: 268

On the agenda

Support for Time to Change anti-stigma pledge
The Department of Health has become the first department in Whitehall to sign up to a pledge to combat stigma around mental health, organised by the Time to Change campaign which the Department funds. To coincide with World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2012, the Department re-committed to ensuring mental health is given equal priority with physical health, as set out in its mental health strategy No Health Without Mental Health. 

NHS and local authority chief executives, and a wide range of other organisations, are being asked to sign up to the pledge and review the resources available for implementation.
 
For further information go to: http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/10/mental-health-pledge/

Radiotherapy treatment to be rolled out across the NHS
Almost 8,000 more cancer patients a year could benefit from the roll-out of an advanced radiotherapy technique with fewer side effects, thanks to a £15 million investment announced by the Department of Health. The Cancer Radiotherapy Innovation Fund will expand NHS capacity to deliver life-saving advanced radiotherapy techniques by April 2013.
The money will be used to speed up the use of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT), building on the success of the Cancer Drugs Fund which has already benefited over 21,000 patients. The £15 million radiotherapy innovation fund will cover the remainder of 2012-13.
For further information go to: http://mediacentre.dh.gov.uk/2012/10/08/eight-thousand-patients-to-benefit-from-advanced-cancer-treatment/
Policy news
1. Dental contract reform pilots: Stage 1 review published and Stage 2 announced 

Consultations and evaluations
No news this week

Publications
2. Directors of public health in local authorities: roles and responsibilities  

Conferences and events

i. what’s new 
3. Foundation Trust Network (FTN) annual conference                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                
ii. places still available
No news this week

Patient safety alerts

Extra notes
Chief executives are reminded that all communications requiring the attention of NHS and local authority management must include a Gateway reference number. In order to streamline the number of communications issued by the Department, these will continue to be summarised in ‘the week’ every Thursday.

Policy news

1. Dental contract reform pilots: Stage 1 review published and Stage 2 announced 
(Gateway reference number: 18199) 
The Government is committed to replacing the existing dental contract with one based on registration, capitation and quality. It has now set out proposals to expand the programme to around 90-95 pilots, which will allow 20-25 new practices to join the scheme, including salaried services for the first time. An open application process is running until 8 November 2012. The proposals and application process are available, together with a detailed review of the first 12 months of piloting in the link below. 

Link: http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/10/dental-contract-reform/ 
Action: NHS chief executives will wish to consider the findings of the review and be aware that dental practices in their region may apply to take part in the programme. In order to do this the dental practice will need sign-up from their commissioner. 

Consultations and evaluations	
No news this week

Publications

2. Directors of public health in local authorities: roles and responsibilities 
(Gateway reference number: 17876)
From 2013 upper tier and unitary local authorities take on new public health duties and will appoint, jointly with the Secretary of State, directors of public health (DPH). The Department of Health has published guidance on the role of the DPH and how this joint appointment process should work.

Link:  http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/10/public-director/
Action: Local authority chief executives will wish to consider the guidance as they appoint their directors of public health and agree job descriptions with them.

Conferences and events

i. what’s new

3. Foundation Trust Network (FTN) annual conference
(Gateway reference number: 18225)
Transition and Transformation, the FTN’s first annual conference and exhibition, is taking place in Liverpool 23-24 October 2012.  It offers a unique forum for NHS organisations to benefit from tailored learning, plenaries and networking. It includes strands on governance for transformation, navigating the new system, the quality landscape, transforming workforce and healthcare futures.

Link: http://www.foundationtrustnetwork.org/events/conference2012/
Action: NHS foundation trust chairs and chief executives can book online and access the programme and list of speakers via the link above. Alternatively, email eventbookings@nhsconfed.org

ii. places still available
No news this week

Patient safety alerts

The following alerts have recently been sent to NHS audiences by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). These are reproduced below and NHS trusts are expected to take action as specified in each notice by the date given.

Link: www.mhra.gov.uk/Publications/Safetywarnings/MedicalDeviceAlerts/index.htm

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Unless otherwise stated, guidance referred to in the bulletin has not been commissioned or endorsed by the Department of Health – it is evidence that organisations and professionals may find helpful in improving practice. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is the Department's provider of accredited evidence and guidance, which can be found on the Institute's website at www.nice.org.uk