The week: 15 – 21 March 2013 
for NHS and social care leaders

Issue: 290

On the agenda

GP contracts: response to consultation
The government has published its response to the consultation on GP contracts.  Five stakeholder organisations responded to the consultation and changes have been made to the original proposals to reflect some of the issues raised.  These changes will come into effect from 1 April 2013 and are intended to maintain current levels of investment in general practice, while promoting continuous improvement in the quality of services.

For further information, go to:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2013/03/gp-contracts-response/

New technology to improve children’s mental health services
Norman Lamb, Care and Support Minister, announced £2 million funding this week for new handheld computers to boost children’s mental health services.  Children and young people will be able to use tablet computers in their therapy sessions, giving them and their therapists instant access to information showing how close they are to achieving treatment goals.

For further information, go to:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2013/03/tech-childrens-mental-health/

Be Clear on Cancer - plans for 2013/14
A joint letter from the Department of Health, the NHS Commissioning Board and Public Health England outlines provisional plans for the Be Clear on Cancer campaigns in 2013/14 and provides an update on the latest campaign results.  The 2013/14 programme will begin with a national lung cancer symptoms awareness campaign in July 2013, with a further national campaign planned in autumn 2013 and two regional campaigns in early 2014.  NHS and local authority chief executives will wish to prepare for the forthcoming lung cancer campaign.

For further information, go to:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2013/03/bcc-plans/

Policy news
1. Accelerating the release of public sector land 
2. Dental contract uplifts 2013/14 
3. Specific equality duties 
4. NHS advocacy services 
5. Complaints about NHS service provision from 1 April 2013 

Consultations and evaluations
No news this week

Publications
6. Framework for sexual health improvement in England
7. HTM 04-01 addendum: pseudomonas aeruginosa – advice for augmented care units 
8. Introducing 6Cs Live! 

Conferences and events

i. what’s new
9. Radiology information systems and PACS 
10. Investigating, resolving and learning from complaints  

ii. places still available
11. Delivering a seven-day health service 

Patient safety alerts
Refer to website below

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. Accelerating the release of public sector land
(Gateway reference number: 18839)
This letter from Dr Daniel Poulter, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health, informs the NHS of the incentives to accelerate the disposal of surplus land in the NHS.  This includes details of the investment and acquisitions funds announced in the Autumn Statement and operational support to facilitate disposals.

Link: http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2013/03/public-land-funding-support/
Action: NHS chief executives will wish to review the incentives set out in the letter and consider which would facilitate the disposal of their surplus land.

2. Dental contract uplifts 2013/14
(Gateway reference number: 18871)
The Department has made a determination for dental contract uplifts for a 1.5 per cent increase in expenses incurred under dental contracts for 2013/14. 

Link: http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2013/03/dental-contracts-uplift/
Action: NHS chief executives will wish to implement the revisions required in their dental contracts. 

3. Specific equality duties
(Gateway reference number: 18882)
The National Treatment Agency (Abolition) and the Health and Social Care Act 2012 (consequential, transitional and saving provisions) Order 2013 will apply the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 (specific duties) Regulations 2011 to the NHS Commissioning Board, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the Health and Social Care Information Centre, and all clinical commissioning groups. This means the organisations concerned will be required to publish equality information annually and equality objectives every four years. 

Link: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/235/schedule/3/made
Action: NHS chief executives will wish to review the obligations set out in paragraphs 25-27 and discuss with relevant staff. 

4. NHS advocacy services
(Gateway reference number: 18856)
The Independent Complaints Advocacy Service ceases on 31 March 2013.  On 1 April 2013, commissioning of NHS complaints advocacy services transfers to individual local authorities.  If not already known, complaint managers and PALS staff should contact their local authority for details of the service in their area. 

Link: http://www.local.gov.uk/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=1924abde-49d9-4383-b6fe-b13c50242c29&groupId=10171 
Action: NHS chief executives will wish to discuss the change with Complaints Managers and PALS staff.

5. Complaints about NHS service provision from 1 April 2013
(Gateway reference number: 18883)
Currently, a complaint about service provision may be made to either the provider of NHS funded care or the PCT that commissioned the service.  From April 2013, a complaint can be made to either the provider, the NHS Commissioning Board, or the local CCG (whichever body commissioned the service in question).

Link:  http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/complaints/Pages/NHScomplaints.aspx
Action: NHS chief executives will wish to ensure NHS complaints and PALS staff are aware of this change, and to update publicity on their complaints arrangements.

Consultations and evaluations
No news this week

Publications

6. Framework for sexual health Improvement in England
(Gateway reference number: 18420)
The framework is to be used by local organisations, including local authorities, health and wellbeing boards and new commissioners, to help them commission high quality sexual health services and interventions in their area.  It sets out a number of ambitions for sexual health improvement.

Link: http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2013/03/sex-health-framework/
Action: NHS and local authority chief executives will wish to discuss the framework with sexual health commissioning leads and consider any local implications.

7. HTM 04-01 addendum: pseudomonas aeruginosa - advice for augmented care units 
(Gateway reference number: 18520)
Further to the issuing of practical technical guidance ‘Water sources and potential pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination of taps and water systems - advice for augmented care units’ in March 2012,  an addendum to Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 04-01 has been published.  This addendum builds on and supersedes the March 2012 guidance.

Link: http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2013/03/pseudomonas-addendum/
Action: NHS chief executives will wish to discuss with estates and facilities and infection control managers to ensure appropriate action is taken.

8. Introducing 6Cs Live!
(Gateway reference number: 18887)
This letter from the Chief Nursing Officer for England explains the launch of 6CsLive! She expresses the desire to build on the strong foundations of Energise for Excellence and take the values, philosophy, learning and momentum into the ‘Compassion in Practice’ strategy and vision.

Link: http://www.commissioningboard.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/6c-live-letter.pdf
Action: NHS chief executives will wish to encourage Directors of Nursing, nurses, midwives and care staff to access 6CsLive!  This will help to deliver Compassion in Practice.

Conferences and events

i. what’s new

9. Radiology information systems and picture archiving and communication systems
(Gateway reference number: 18885)
This one-day conference on Monday 13 May 2013 in London opens with an address from Professor Erika Denton, National Clinical Director for Imaging.  It will examine how to work with picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) and radiology information systems (RIS) beyond the national programme and discuss getting the most out of radiology information systems and PACS for the development of a paperless and filmless NHS.

Link: http://www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/radiology-information-systems-pacs 
Action: NHS chief executives and their colleagues can download the brochure at the link above, or contact Kerry@healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk for further information. A 20 per cent discount is available by quoting ref: hcuk20theweek when booking. 
10. Investigating, resolving and learning from complaints
(Gateway reference number: 18884)
This conference on Wednesday 3 July in London focuses on implementing the Francis Inquiry recommendations and the learning from the Prime Minister’s review of hospital complaints.  Chaired by Chris Bostock, Head of Complaints Policy at the Department of Health, the conference will look at how this learning can be put into practice at a local level. 

Link: http://www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/nhs-complaints-handling-investigation-training  
Action: NHS chief executives and their colleagues can download the brochure at the link above, or contact Kerry@healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk for further information. A 20 per cent discount is available by quoting ref: hcuk20theweek when booking. 

ii. places still available

11. Delivering a seven-day health service
(Gateway reference number: 18779)
Following growing evidence of a need for routine health services to be available seven days a week, this conference in London on Wednesday 24 April 2013 will focus on improving care, safety, outcomes and productivity throughout the week.
It will feature an opening presentation from the NHS Commissioning Board and be chaired by Dr Nick Bishop, Senior Medical Advisor at the Care Quality Commission.

Link:
http://www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/7-day-health-services-nhs-conference 
Action: NHS chief executives and their colleagues can download the brochure at the link above, or contact Kerry@healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk for further information. A 20 per cent discount is available by quoting ref: hcuk20theweek when booking. 

Patient safety alerts

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has sent the NHS the latest medical device alerts in the link below.  NHS Trusts are expected to take the specified action by the date given.

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

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General comments
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Final Department of Health edition of ‘the week’ 
The Department of Health is producing the final edition of ‘the week’ on 28 March 2013.  The deadline for entries is 12 midday 26 March 2013. 
Please send to mb-gateway@dh.gsi.gov.uk as usual. 

The NHS Commissioning Board will produce regular news updates for senior leaders in health and social care from 2 April 2013.  If you have any questions about this, please contact Sally Kenny sally.kenny@dh.gsi.gov.uk 020 7210 5018.

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  

Sir David Nicholson's role as NHS Chief Executive transfers completely to the NHS Commissioning Board in April 2013. Sir David would still like to communicate with you in his new role and we are therefore asking if you are happy for your email address to be shared with the NHS Commissioning Board. If you do not want your email address shared, please email the theweek@dh.gsi.gov.uk