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30 October - 12 November 2007
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A Weekly Bulletin of Professional News, Guidance and Policy for Primary Care
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Word Version
Headlines...
- College Response to Fitness to Practise Consultation .....
- Early Diagnosis of Psychosis in Young People .....
- Editors and Authors Sought for RCGP e-Learning Project
.....
- Arrangements for the GP Patient Survey 2008 in
England .....
Guidance featured in Seven Days is uploaded weekly to the
RCGP Non-Clinical Guidance Database for General Practice.
Professional
News
College Response to Fitness to Practise
Consultation
The RCGP has opposed the change in the standard of proof (from
criminal to civil) in its response to the GMC’s Fitness to Practise
consultation. Although it welcomes the opportunity to comment on
the draft guidance, it is disappointed that there has been no
debate on this issue, and re-iterates its response to the Shipman
Inquiry:
“It is our view that any decision that could deny a doctor
his/her livelihood, or severely restrict his/her ability to do so,
should have the higher test (i.e. criminal standard) attached to
it. This is based on the concept that the procedures should be
tested against the criteria of proportionality and fairness to the
doctor and the public.”
Fitness
to Practise Consultation (GMC Website)
Early Diagnosis of
Psychosis in Young People
Guidance to help practitioners
achieve earlier diagnosis of psychosis in young people has been
launched by the RCGP and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. It
lists key symptoms which may signal the onset of psychosis, with
the aim of facilitating a smoother pathway between primary care
practitioners and mental health specialists. Recent research has
highlighted that early symptom recognition can reduce progression
to psychosis, and in some cases prevent the onset of a disabling
psychotic illness.
Early
Detection in Psychosis (Guidance on the NIMHE
Website)
Editors and Authors Sought for RCGP e-Learning
Project
The RCGP is seeking editors and authors to produce a set of
e-learning modules to help GP trainees with the new curriculum and
assist family doctors with Continuing Professional Development
(CPD). Each module will be based on one of the GP curriculum
statements and will be developed in partnership with e-Learning for
Healthcare. The project is being lead by Dr Bill Reith, Chair of
the Postgraduate Training Board, and Dr Adrian French, Clinical
Project Lead. For further information contact Kate Tunnicliffe at
postgraduatetraining@rcgp.org.uk.
Consultation on Managing Staff Sickness and Ill-Health
Retirement
A consultation on proposals to manage NHS staff sickness and
ill-health retirement has been launched by NHS Employers and NHS
trade unions. Proposals include a framework to support employers in
managing sickness absence and covers structured review processes,
rehabilitation, phased return, redeployment, occupational health
support, and monitoring. The deadline for comments is 21 January
2008 and feedback should be submitted on a dedicated online
response form.
Staff Sickness and Ill Health Retirement
Benefit (NHS Employers Press Release)
New Health and Social Care Regulator Announced in
Queen’s Speech
The creation of a new regulator - with a remit to ensure clean,
safe, high-quality services - has been announced in the Queen’s
speech. The Care Quality Commission - also known as Ofcare - will
cover adult social care as well as health services; and will bring
together some functions of the existing Healthcare Commission,
the Commission for Social Care Inspection and the Mental Health Act
Commission. Bills to reform the regulation of human embryology and
to improve services for vulnerable children and young people were
also announced.
Queen's
Speech Transcript (10 Downing Street
Website)
General Practice Key to Future Success of
NHS
“The future of the NHS is likely to depend on what happens with
general practice” writes Professor Roger Jones, FRCGP, in the
November editorial of the British Journal of General Practice
(BJGP). He calls on the Government and its advisors to appreciate
the important role general practice has in demand management and
cost containment. Professor Jones works at the Department of
General Practice and Primary Care at King’s College London.
Dismantling General Practice (BJGP
Article: Vol 57:860-861)
Call for Doctors to Provide Ethnicity Data
The GMC is compiling ethnicity data about all doctors practising
in the UK, to ensure it fulfils its statutory duties and
responsibilities under the Race Relations Act and other important
legislation. It is calling on practitioners to provide information
on their ethnicity (which will remain confidential) for use in
diversity data analysis.
Ethnicity Data Collection Leaflet (GMC Press
Release)
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Clinical
News
NICE Welcomes New Topic
Referral
NICE has welcomed the referral of
additional topics by the Secretary of State for Health for its
forward work programme. New guidance to be developed includes the
management of alcohol dependence; the recognition and diagnosis of
Coeliac disease in adults; and the prevention of cardiovascular
disease.
New Topic
Referral (NICE Website)
Hepatitis C and HIV Rates
Increase Among Injecting Drug Users
Findings from a new report on
injecting drug users (IDUs) show that almost half are now infected
with hepatitis C; HIV rates have increased to one in 75 since the
start of the decade; and injecting into the groin (associated with
higher levels of infection and risk) has become more common. The
Health Protection Agency (HPA) report explores risk and protective
behaviours, viral and bacterial infections, and further sources of
information.
Infections Among Injecting Drug Users in the
UK (HPA Document Report, October 2007
Update)
Ethical Aspects of Cognitive Enhancements
A discussion paper on the future development and use of cognitive
enhancements has been issued by the BMA’s Ethics Department. It
aims to promote informed debate on the topic and covers the use of
nutritional supplements, pharmaceutical products, brain
stimulation, neurotechnology, and genetic selection and
manipulation. It also considers the ethical and social implications
of cognitive enhancements, and considers how to respond to the
opportunities and challenges it presents.
Boosting your Brainpower: ethical aspects of cognitive
enhancements (BMA Ethics Department Report)
Rates of Tuberculosis (TB) Remain Stable
The first UK-wide annual report on TB, published by the Health
Protection Agency (HPA), reveals that the number of reported cases
in 2005 and 2006 were very similar. Commenting on the findings,
Ibrahim Abubakar (Head of the Tuberculosis Section at the HPA’s
Centre for Infections) stated that it is too early to decide
whether this is a sign of a slow down. The document contains a
range of statistics on TB, and information on drug resistance and
treatment outcomes.
Tuberculosis in the UK (HPA Report)
Guidance
Assisting Patients Who
Obtain IVF Medication Abroad
The Medical Protection Society
(MPS) has issued a statement following reports that some female
patients are obtaining IVF medication abroad and asking their GPs
to administer it. The Society advises doctors to:
- Justify their decision whether to
assist or not
- Keep accurate records of any
discussions that have occurred
- Not prejudice the patient’s care
because they had treatment abroad
- Realise that refusing treatment
may be in the best interest of the patient
- Explain why no assistance is being
offered (if this is the case) and look into other options (such as
referral)
Patients Who Have Elective Fertility Treatment
Abroad (MPS Website)
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England
Announcements
Arrangements for the GP Patient Survey 2008
The DH has issued a “Dear
Colleague” letter to all practices confirming arrangements for the
delivery of the 2008 GP Patient Survey. It covers issues relating
to extracting patients’ details, the Data Protection Act, patients
who opt out, and FAQs. Surgeries that are not already signed up but
wish to do so, are advised to contact their PCT immediately; while
those who want to opt out must alert the DH by emailing GPPatientSurvey@dh.gsi.gov.uk
by 30 November.
GP Patient Survey Arrangements (DH
Letter)
In a similar but separate
development, the DH has issued a new questionnaire pack for use in
the remaining three waves of the National Patient Choice Survey.
Each will contain an Ipsos-MORI covering letter, a reply paid
envelope and a one page survey. Enquiries should be directed to
Kate Meeds, Choice Survey Manager, on 0113 2545312.
National Patient Choice Survey: new questionnaire -
waves 10, 11 and 12 (DH Website)
Support for Professionals
Safeguarding Children
A secure web-based discussion
forum, for named and designated health professionals responsible
for safeguarding children, has been developed by the Care Services
Improvement Partnership (CSIP) on behalf of the DH. It covers
guidance, training, information and research; and will be developed
in response to the needs of its users. The SAIF (Support and
Information Forum) has a clinical moderator - Dr Jan Welbury, a
consultant paediatrician and designated doctor – and practitioners
can apply to join the group by contacting Denise Snow at denise.snow@dh.gsi.gov.uk.
Less Women Require Repeat
Cervical Screening Test
The percentage of inadequate
cervical screening samples fell from 7.2% in 2005/2006 to 4.7% in
2006/2007, according to statistics published by the Information
Centre for health and social care (IC). Findings show more women
are getting test results back quicker and have faster access to
follow-up care if required.
Statistics on the Cervical Screening Programme
2006/2007 (IC Publication)
Caring for Disabled People
During their Transition to Adulthood
A good practice guide - outlining
the roles, responsibilities and duties of service providers working
with disabled young people during their transition to adulthood -
has been published by the Department for Children, Schools and
Families (DCSF) and the DH. It was written by the Council for
Disabled Children and highlights the need for all services to work
together to ensure disabled young people get the support they need.
It covers the role of GP commissioning in developing a local,
multi-agency service delivery protocols; and emphasises that GPs
should be involved in the transition planning process, as they will
become the first point of contact for young people who have
previously received therapies in their school environment.
Key Information for Professionals on the Transition Process for
Disabled Young People (Every Child Matters
Website)
Improving the Care
Environment for Patients
The DH has published guidance to
help healthcare staff improve their care environment for patients.
It contains suggestions for best practice in the areas of access;
maintenance (including tidiness and cleanliness); infection
control; and making the patient feel reassured.
Essence of Care: benchmarks for the care
environment (DH Document)
Update Your NHS Choices
Practice Profile
All practices in England should now
have received a pack detailing how they can edit their own data on
the NHS Choices website. The release of the update site will take
place on 19 November and surgeries may want to use the next 10 days
to update their details before it goes live (although they can edit
their data now or in the future) – visit www.nhs.choices/yourprofile
to make profile amendments. Further information can be obtained at
gp@nhschoices.nhs.uk
or on 0845 402 3089
Parliamentary News
Stronger Links Between
Communities and Health Services
The Local Government and Public
Involvement in Health Bill - which updates and strengthens the duty
on NHS bodies to involve and consult local communities about
changes to services - has received Royal Assent. As of April 2008,
150 Local Involvement Networks (LINks) will replace existing
Patient and Public Involvement Forums and their co-ordinating body,
the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health
(CPPIH). LINks will help communities influence key decisions about
local health provisions and hold services to account.
Local Government and Public Involvement in Health
Bill (DH Press Release)
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Wales
Announcements
Patients Want Internet
Contact with GPs
Four out of five regular internet
users would like to contact their GP online, according to research
commissioned by Informing Healthcare - the Welsh Assembly
Government programme to improve patient services through better use
of IT. Users would like to order repeat prescriptions, book an
appointment or update their details if such facilities were
available online. Results indicated that women aged between 30-59
are likely to be the biggest users of internet health
services. Results from the study, conducted during July
and August 2007, will inform the development of
My Health
Online - a new website enabling patients to
undertake health-related tasks electronically and see their
information through a secure web site.
Welsh
Patients Want Internet Contact with their GPs
(NHS Wales Press Release)
CMO Calls for Greater Use
of Primary and Community Care
Health is getting better in Wales
according to the first report from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO),
Dr Tony Jewell. It reports improved infant mortality rates,
increased life expectancy and less deaths from circulatory disease.
Recommendations include greater use of primary and community care
to manage chronic long term conditions and implementing measures to
reduce sexually transmitted infections.
Chief Medical Officer for Wales Publishes Annual
Report (NHS Wales Press Release)
Decrease in the Number of
Adults Who Smoke
The Wales Centre for Health has
published baseline data against which the effects of the ban on
smoking in enclosed public places can be measured. It shows the
percentage of adults who smoke has fallen over the last 30 years;
and includes statistics on smoking during pregnancy and the use of
smoking cessation services.
Smoking in Wales: current facts
(Wales Centre for Health)
Extra Funding for Health
Services
The Welsh Assembly Government has
announced an additional £1.2 billion funding for health services
over the next three years, increasing the total health budget to
over £5.65 billion by 2008. Allocations include £7.5m for better
management of chronic, long-term conditions and £17m to improve
accessibility for patients. Emphasis is being placed on prevention
and health improvement, and part of the budget will be used to
maintain the Welsh Assembly Government’s free prescriptions
policy.
Extra Funding to Improve Health in
Wales (Welsh Assembly Government Press
Release)
Increase in the Uptake Rate
of Second Dose MMR
New figures published by the
National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS) show that uptake
rates for childhood vaccines (to the year ending 31 March 2007)
either stayed the same or increased. The percentage of children
having the 5 in 1 vaccine before their first birthday increased to
95.3% and the highest uptake rate for the second dose MMR vaccine
was recorded at 76.5% – although this still falls short of the 95%
target.
NPHS Annual COVER Report, 2006-2007
(NPHS Website)
Parliamentary News
HPV Vaccine Added to the
Routine Immunisation Programme
The Welsh Assembly Government has
announced that the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine will be
added to the routine immunisation programme from September 2008,
and will be offered to all girls aged 12-13 years old. A two-year
catch-up campaign will run alongside this for girls up to the age
of 18 and will start in autumn 2009. The HPV vaccine protects
against strains 16 and 18 of the virus which are responsible for
around 70% of cervical cancers.
HPV Vaccination to be Offered in
Wales (National Public Health Service for Wales
Website)
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Scotland
Announcements
Profile of Adults with
Long-Term Health Conditions
A detailed profile of the characteristics, circumstances and
support needs of adults with long-term health conditions has been
produced using data from the Scottish Household Surveys (1999-2006)
and the Scottish Health Survey (2003). It reveals that in
2005-2006, 23.6% of adults reported having some form of long-term
condition. The most common impairments were related to heart
problems, blood pressure, circulation and arthritis.
Characteristics of Adults with Long-Term Health
Conditions (Scottish Government
Publication)
HPV Immunisation Programme - Coverage
Extended
Plans to extend the coverage of the HPV immunisation programme have
been announced by the Scottish Government. As previously stated,
all girls aged 12-13 will be immunised from September 2008; and now
girls aged 14-17 will be included in the scheme.
Cervical Cancer Vaccine (Scottish Government
Press Release)
Parliamentary News
Extra Funding for Primary
Care Premises
Health Boards are to get an extra
£23m to improve and modernise primary care premises. This
investment is part of the Primary and Community Care Premises
Modernisation Programme, which has already provided £138m for
infrastructure development.
Funding Boost for Primary Care Premises
(Scottish Government Press Release)
New Target of 15-Week
Wait
The Scottish Government has
introduced a new 15-week maximum wait for both outpatient
consultations and hospital admissions. This marks the next step in
delivering the 18-week patient journey, from GP referral to
treatment, by 2011.
Waiting Time Milestone Set (Scottish
Government Press Release)
Bill to Modernise Public
Health Legislation
The Scottish Government has
introduced a new Bill to modernise the country’s public health
legislation. It will ensure full compliance with the International
Health Regulations 2005 - which broaden the scope of action beyond
infectious diseases to those caused by contamination (such as
biological, chemical and radiological). Key provisions in the Bill
include powers to quarantine a person; to order someone to have the
least intrusive or invasive medical examination to achieve a public
health outcome (no consent required); and to disinfect, disinfest
or decontaminate a person if necessary.
Public Health etc (Scotland) Bill (Scottish
Government Press Release)
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Northern Ireland
Announcements
Health Inequalities Gap
Widens
Statistics published by the
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS)
show a continuing gap in health inequalities in Northern Ireland -
particularly in teenage birth rates, infant mortality levels and
standardised death rates due to circulatory diseases and cancer.
The findings are from the Inequalities Monitoring System, which
assesses the differences in mortality, morbidity, utilisation of
and access to health and social care services across the
country.
Health and Social Care Inequalities Monitoring System Second
Update Bulletin 2007 (DHSSPS Report)
Consultation on the
Minimum Age of Sale of Tobacco Products
Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey,
has launched a 12 week consultation on amending the minimum age of
sale of tobacco products. Views are being sought on the following
options: continuing with the current age limit of 16; increasing it
to 17; or increasing it to 18. The consultation will run to 18
January 2008, and comments should be sent to lorraine.mcilwrath@dhsspsni.gov.uk.
Consultation on Age of Sale of Tobacco Products
(Northern Ireland Executive Consultation Document)
Campaign to Tackle Domestic Violence
The second domestic violence action plan has been launched in
Northern Ireland by Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, and
Criminal Justice Minister, Paul Goggins. It builds on the work of
the first plan (published in 2005) and includes new guidance to
help health professionals assist those caught up in domestic
violence.
Second
Domestic Violence Action Plan (Northern Ireland
Office Website)
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Contact Us
RCGP Information Services can be contacted at:
Email:
info@rcgp.org.uk
Tel: 020 7581 3232 ext: 240
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Disclaimer
Seven Days uses third party information and neither endorses nor guarentees the accuracy or authenticity of these sources.
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