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20 - 26 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...
- Views Sought on New Vetting and Barring Authority .....
- Recognising Suicide Risk in Older People .....
- New National Flu Pandemic Framework Published .....
- GPs Urged to Support Hepatitis C Awareness Campaign .....
Guidance featured in Seven Days is uploaded weekly to the
RCGP Non-Clinical Guidance Database for General Practice.
Professional
News
Views Sought on New
Vetting and Barring Authority
The DH, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)
and the Home Office has launched a joint consultation seeking views
on the implementation and operation of a new stringent vetting and
barring organisation - the Independent Safeguarding Authority
(ISA). Its remit is to prevent people accessing children and
vulnerable adults through their work if they are known to pose a
risk. ISA will be created under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups
Act 2006 and will make expert decisions about who should be
barred.
The Authority will be phased in
from autumn 2008 and will operate across England, Wales and
Northern Ireland. Comments on the consultation should be sent to
SVGAct-Policy.CONSULTATION@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
by 20 February 2008.
ISA Scheme Consultation Document (DH,
DCSF and Home Office Consultation Document)
Better Quality of Care for
Patients with Learning Disabilities
Representatives from three medical
Royal Colleges (including the RCGP) and several learning disability
groups met at the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) to discuss
findings from Mencap’s report “Death by Indifference” and the
Disability Rights Commission (now Equality and Human Rights
Commission) document “Equal Treatment: Closing the Gap”. A new
cross-college and cross-agency working group was also established
to tackle inequalities experienced by these patients.
Death to
Indifference (RSM Press Release)
Self Care Support Improves
Health
Self care support has a positive
impact on health outcomes according to a review published by the
DH. Systematic reviews, primary research studies, and surveys were
included in the evaluation and authors called for such schemes to
be integrated into health and social care services for maximum
effectiveness and efficiency.
Research Evidence on the Effectiveness of Self Care
Support (DH Document)
Official Launch of the
Family Doctor Association
A national membership
organisation representing the interests of GPs and their practice
teams - the Family Doctor Association (formerly the Small
Practices Association) - was officially launched on the 13
November. It aims to promote the benefits of continuity of care and
provide marketing and business planning services to member
practices. Its Chair is Dr Michael Taylor (MRCGP) and Vice-Chair is
Dr Claire Rushton (MRCGP).
New Membership
Organisation for GPs (Family Doctor Association
Website)
Guidance
Recognising Suicide Risk in
Older People
Tips on recognising suicidal
tendencies in older patients have been published by Staffordshire
University, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the RCGP. People
over 65 are most likely to carry out a threat of suicide and one in
four attempts are successful. Evidence shows that two thirds of
those who take their own life have been in touch with a primary
care professional in the weeks before their death. Indicators
that will help healthcare professionals identify risk and take
rapid action include:
- “End centred talk” or direct
communication about suicide
- Clues that the patient is putting
their affairs in order, or making or adjusting a will
- Those who are re-connecting with a
faith after a long absence
- Patients presenting with vague,
non-specific symptoms and signs of self neglect
- People who have unsuccessfully
attempted suicide in the past
Suicide and Older People: what you need to know
2007 (RCGP Factsheet)
Return to top
Clinical
News
National Flu Pandemic
Framework Published
A new national framework has been
published by the DH and the Cabinet Office, setting out how the UK
will respond if a flu pandemic occurs. It coordinates the responses
of all government departments, regional assemblies and
public/private bodies; and replaces the 2005 UK Contingency Plan.
Extra countermeasures also announced include plans to double the
stock of antivirals (to cover at least 50% of the population); and
the purchase of 14.7 million courses of antibiotics (to cover
at-risk groups) and 350million surgical masks/34m respirators for
NHS staff on the frontline.
Dr Maureen Baker, RCGP Honorary Secretary and Chair of its
Emergency Planning Group, said: “We welcome this new framework, in
particular the agreement to stockpile antibiotics for treatment of
secondary bacterial infections such as pneumonia – this is
something the RCGP has lobbied hard for as we know antibiotic
treatment in such cases will save lives. We would urge GP practices
to consult this framework and revise their service continuity plans
accordingly.”
Pandemic Flu: a national framework for responding to an
influenza pandemic (DH Website)
Pandemic Flu: A Scottish framework for responding to an
influenza pandemic (Scottish Government
Website)
Views Sought on
Reclassification of Voltarol Pain-Eze Tablets
A consultation on the
reclassification of Voltarol Pain-eze tablets from prescription
only medicine (POM) to pharmacy (P) availability has been issued by
the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The
drug is used to treat short term relief of headache, period pain,
backache, rheumatic and muscular pain, and symptoms of colds and
flu. Comments on the consultation should be sent to reclassification@mhra.gsi.gov.uk
by 4 January 2008.
Reclassification of Voltarol Pain-eze from POM to
P (MHRA Consultation Document)
National Register of
Dispensing Doctors Launched
The Dispensing Doctors’ Association
(DDA) is to create a national register of dispensers and their
qualifications. Fees for inclusion on the list and a link to the
application form can be found on the Association’s website.
Registered members will gain access to an enhanced dispensers
section of the website, containing information on regulations,
meetings and training opportunities.
Dispensing Doctors’ Association Launch Register of
Dispensers (DDA Press Release)
Guidance
Raising Awareness of
Hepatitis C
The College is supporting a
campaign to raise awareness of hepatitis C. The DH campaign “FaCe
It” encourages the public to be aware of the various transmission
routes for the virus and advises anyone who might have the disease
to contact their GP. Free information resources for family doctors
and practice nurses - including waiting room posters, patient
leaflets and a briefing pack - are available by contacting the DH
on 08701 555 455 or at dh@prolog.uk.com.
Health Advice for Hajj
Pilgrims
Health guidance for Hajj pilgrims
has been published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre
(NaTHNaC), outlining some of the requirements by the Ministry of
Health of Saudi Arabia to enter the country. The next pilgrimage
will take place between 18 and 23 December 2007 and individuals are
advised to ensure they have been vaccinated with the quadrivalent
meningococcal vaccine (ACWY); have proof of vaccination against
different strains of meningitis (A, C, W135 and Y); and carry a
sufficient supply of their regular medication, which must be
clearly labelled.
Guidelines for Hajj Pilgrims (NaTHNaC
Guidance)
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office
(FCO) has also issued an information leaflet for British Hajjis,
offering health and travel advice.
Advice to British Hajjis (FCO Leaflet)
Severe Allergic Reactions
to Protelos
The European Medicines Agency
(EMEA) is to update its Protelos prescribing and patient
information, to include warnings about the risk of severe allergic
reactions associated with its use. The drug, administered to women
for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, should be stopped
in the event of an adverse reaction (in particular the development
of a rash) and medical advice should be sought immediately. The
MHRA has echoed this advice and states Protelos treatment must not
be re-introduced at a later date.
Changes in the Product Information for
Protelos (MHRA Press Release)
Prexige (lumiracoxib) Licence Suspended
Prexige (lumiracoxib) has had its
licence suspended amid safety concerns about possible liver damage
associated with its use. The drug treats painful symptoms of
osteoarthritis of the knee and hip and was first made available in
the UK in December 2005.
Prexige (lumiracoxib) Licence has been
Suspended (MHRA Press Release)
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England
Announcements
New Practices for
Under-Doctored Areas
Health Secretary Alan Johnson has
revealed that 38 PCTs (identified as having the poorest GP
provision) will be the first to benefit from plans to deliver 100
new practices over the next three years. Gaps in provision can be
as much as 43 GPs per 100,000 people compared with 88 family
doctors in other areas. New practices will be based in the North
West, North East, West Midlands, London and East of England
Strategic Health Authorities.
New Practices for Under-Doctored
Areas (DH Press Release)
Fall in Written Complaints
About Community Health Services
Figures published by the
Information Centre for health and social care (IC) show a decrease
in the number of written complaints about family health services -
from 43,349 in 2005-2006 to 42,592 in 2006-2007. Over the last five
years the number of complaints has remained around 43,000.
Data on
Written Complaints in the NHS 2006-2007 (IC
Publication)
Practice Based
Commissioning (PBC) Makes Little Progress
An Audit Commission report has
shown that limited progress has been made with PBC - the scheme
aimed at giving GPs greater financial control and responsibility
over the services they commission. The document reviewed the
financial arrangements supporting PBC, the incentives for GP
practices to engage with it, and the obstacles to its introduction.
Findings showed the main ingredients of success were: the provision
of robust budgets which were well understood and accepted by
practices; freedom for practices to use savings for the benefit of
their patients; sound governance arrangements for approving
business plans; and greater shared ownership between PCTs and
practices on how resources should be used. A series of
recommendations were included in the report, along with notable
examples of practice to help improve PBC.
Putting Commissioning Into Practice
(Audit Commission Report)
War Veterans Get Priority
NHS Treatment
War veterans who have developed
health problems as a result of their military service are to get
NHS priority treatment according to an announcement by Health
Secretary, Alan Johnson, and Veterans Minister, Derek Twigg. Other
major improvements include a new model of community mental health
services, enabling access to expert clinicians either directly or
through a GP. The scheme will be piloted at six sites across the UK
for two years, with the aim of rolling it out nationally.
Government Boost to Veterans’
Healthcare (DH Press Release)
What Matters to Patients,
Public and Staff
Work undertaken by the DH has
revealed what really matters to NHS staff and its users, findings
revel that:
- Patients want a service that fits
in with their life; where they are treated as a person; and can
work in partnership with medical professionals.
- The most important factors to the
public are being treated according to need and not ability to pay;
efficient use of money and financial support for the NHS and its
staff; and being able to use the service as required.
- Staff want skills and equipment to
do their job; to be treated with respect; to understand how their
role fits into the bigger picture; to provide high quality patient
care; to be able to realise their potential; and to have managers
that care about their work.
What Matters to Our Patients, Public and
Staff (DH Document)
New National Information
Governance Board Announced
A new National Information
Governance Board (NIGB) for health and social care has been
established, incorporating the functions of the Care Record
Development Board (which has now closed). It will report to the
Secretary of State for Health on an annual basis and work with the
Patient Information Advisory Group. The Board will provide NHS
organisations with practical support in dealing with the
complexities of information governance.
National Information Governance Board for Health and Social
Care (Connecting for Health Website)
Return to top
Wales
Announcements
Alcohol is Most Misused
Substance
The second in a series of data on
drug and alcohol treatment agencies has been published by
Statistics for Wales. It reveals that 69% of those presenting were
male; that alcohol was the main problem substance in 52% of
clients; and that 15% of service users were referred by a GP.
Substance Misuse in Wales, 2006-2007
(Statistics for Wales Publication)
No Shared Care Prescribing
for Vinorelbine Oral (Navelbine Oral)
The Minister for Health and Social
Services has endorsed recommendations from the All Wales Medicines
Strategy Group (AWMSG) on the use of Vinorelbine oral (Navelbine
Oral); agreeing that the drug should be initiated by a specialist
in the treatment of breast cancer and not used for shared care
(where prescribing responsibility is transferred from the
consultant to the GP).
Final Appraisal Report - Vinorelbine (Navelbine
Oral) (All Wales Medicines Strategy Goup
Report)
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Scotland
Announcements
Early Life Intervention
Narrows Inequality Gap
Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr
Harry Burns, has published his second annual report, stating that
although the health of the nation is getting better, early
interventions to improve the health and development in children is
key to narrowing the inequality gap between affluent and deprived
areas. His report focuses on children and young people – covering
mental health, substance misuse, education and nutrition issues. It
also reviews progress on tackling tobacco-related harm in
Scotland.
Health in Scotland 2006: annual report of the
CMO (Scottish Government Publication)
Preventing Harm Against
Adults
The Scottish Government has
published a literature review of interventions available for adults
'at risk' of abuse and harm (including physical, psychological,
financial, sexual, discriminatory, and neglect). It shows that
mechanisms of support, empowerment, training and education, and
inter-agency co-operation help reduce the risks faced by these
vulnerable groups.
A Review of Literature on Effective Interventions that Prevent
Harm Against Adults (Scottish Government
Publication)
Return to top
Northern Ireland
Announcements
No announcements this week.
Return to top
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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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