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5-11 September 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 to Launch Blueprint for the Future Direction of
General Practice in the UK .....
- RCGP Chair Defends GPs .....
- New Website Dedicated to NHS Review .....
- Guidance on Professional Behaviour and Fitness to Practise for
Medical Students .....
Guidance featured in Seven Days is uploaded weekly to the
RCGP Non-Clinical Guidance Database for General Practice.
Professional
News
Blueprint for the Future of
General Practice
The College will launch its
blueprint for the future direction of general practice in the UK at
a press conference on Thursday 13 September 2007. Please contact
Lorna Fletcher in the Press Office on 020 7344 3136 or at press@rcgp.org.uk
with any queries.
The Future Direction of General Practice: a
roadmap (RCGP Press Release)
College Chair Defends
GPs
RCGP Chair, Professor Mayur
Lakhani, has defended GPs in an opinion piece published in The
Times newspaper on 4 September 2007. He expressed concern that
GPs “have become the whipping boys for everything that is wrong
with the NHS” and highlighted the many achievements of general
practice – including the fact that each doctor is seeing more
patients, dealing with increasingly complex clinical problems and
attaining demanding clinical targets. He also emphasised that “GPs
are not complacent and are keen to develop services.”
Public Opinion Piece (The Times)
New Website Dedicated to
NHS Review
A new website dedicated to
Professor Darzi’s review of the NHS has been launched, with the aim
of keeping NHS staff and the general public informed about the
review's objectives and progress. Sections include why the review
is being undertaken; the terms of reference; updates on progress in
London, the South East Coast and the West Midlands; and information
on how to subscribe to an RSS news feed.
Our NHS, Our
Future (NHS Review Website)
New NHS Medical Director
Appointed
Sir Bruce Keogh, a world renowned
cardiothoracic surgeon, has been appointed as the new NHS Medical
Director. His role will involve championing clinical engagement
throughout the NHS; leading the work of the National Clinical
Directors; and overseeing clinical innovation, quality and
safety.
NHS Chief Executive Appoints New NHS Medical
Director (DH Press Release)
Standing Commission on
Carers Announced
During a speech given to the
National Council of Voluntary Organisations, Prime Minister Gordon
Brown announced the creation of a Standing Commission on Carers.
Its remit will be to monitor the implementation of the Carers'
Strategy; ensure carers are involved in policy development and
consider how long-term issues (such as demographic changes) will
affect these individuals. The Commission will report directly to
the Secretary of State for Health.
Terms of Reference for the Standing Commission on
Carers (DH Press Release)
Booklet to Support Carers
of Dementia Patients
The DH has published a booklet to
help those caring for patients with dementia. It includes advice
based on the experiences of other carers and recommends seeking
professional help from a doctor or someone familiar with the
condition. The document contains sections on coping with emotions;
how to seek help; guidelines on caring for someone with dementia
and legal information.
Who Cares? (DH Booklet)
Abused Elders Turn to GPs
for Help
The National Centre for Social
Research has published a review examining the frequency of abuse
and neglect in older people in the UK. Findings show that the
elderly turn to a number of professionals, including GPs, to help
cope with their situation. The qualitative study - commissioned by
Comic Relief and the DH - examined types of abuse, the reporting of
mistreatment and coping strategies. Results showed older people
consulted their doctor for emotional support to help with the
psychological impacts of abuse and that their experience in the
surgery was positive. However, some felt their GP had insufficient
time to listen to their problems and provide adequate
support.
UK Wide Prevalence Study: abuse and neglect of older
people (DH Website)
Guidance
Guidance on Professional
Behaviour and Fitness to Practise
New guidance outlining the
professional behaviour expected from UK medical students has been
published by the by the GMC and the Medical Schools Council (MSC).
It contains sections on good clinical care, probity, and
misconduct; and information to help medical schools reach decisions
about a student’s fitness to practise. The guidance was written by
the joint Student Fitness to Practise Working Group, established
under the GMC and MSC, and aims to help students and anyone
involved in medical education.
Medical Students: professional behaviour and fitness to
practise (GMC and MSC Guidance Document)
Reducing Health
Inequalities for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT)
People
The DH has published a series of
easy read guides to help commissioners, service planners and
frontline staff deliver healthcare to LGBT people. They cover
various health topics and offer advice on caring for people of
different ages, from various ethnic backgrounds, as well as those
with disabilities. Improving access to care is also featured in the
guides.
Reducing Health Inequalities: briefings for health and
social care staff (DH Documents)
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Clinical
News
Arrangements for Providing
Stoma and Incontinence Appliances
The DH is seeking views on its
arrangements for the provision of stoma and incontinence appliances
to primary care. Recommendations are summarised in sections four
and five of the document and incorporate views collected during
previous consultations. If implemented, the arrangements will come
into force in the middle of 2008. Comments should be sent to
Primaryandacute.part9@dh.gsi.gov.uk
by 29 November 2007.
The Provision of Stoma and Incontinence Appliances to
Primary Care (DH Consultation Document)
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England
Announcements
Improvements in Mental Health Services
Results from a Healthcare Commission survey reveal that mental
health patients are positive about the care they receive – with the
majority (76%) rating the service as ‘good’, ‘very good’ or
‘excellent’. Key results also showed improvements in the
service:
- More users had access to out-of-hours crisis care in 2007 (52%)
compared to 2006 (46%).
- More patients had undertaken a care review in the last 12
months (53%) compared to the previous year (51%).
- Two-thirds (65%) reported having the purpose of newly
prescribed medications explained to them, an increase from 63% in
2006.
Survey of Users of Mental Health Services
2007 (Healthcare Commission Survey)
Campaign to Increase
Influenza Vaccine Uptake
The DH has launched a campaign to
raise awareness of the Influenza Immunisation Programme 2007/2008,
with the aim of encouraging vaccine uptake in those aged 65 plus
and in younger people from ‘at risk’ groups. Publicity materials,
including leaflets and posters, are freely available and can be
obtained from the DH on 08701 555 455 or at dh@prolog.uk.com.
The flu programme starts on 1 October 2007.
Flu Campaign Information 2007-2008
(DH Website)
Decline in the Number of
Dispensing Practices
Statistics from the Prescription
Pricing Division (PPD) of the NHS Business Services Authority
reveal a small increase in the number of patients who get their
medication from a dispensing practice (rather than a pharmacy) and
a small decline in the number of dispensing surgeries. Data
obtained by Dispensing Doctors’ Association (DDA) through a Freedom
of Information enquiry to the PPD shows there are currently 5,311
dispensing doctors and 1,149 dispensing practices in England – the
DDA attributes the declining numbers to an increase in the amount
of pharmacies competing for business.
Small
Decline in Number of Dispensing Practices/Doctors (DDA
Press Release)
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Wales
No Announcements
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Scotland
Announcements
Easy Read Guide to the
Mental Health Act
The Scottish Executive has
published an easy read guide to the Mental Health (Care and
Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. It was written by the Scottish
Consortium for Learning Disability and clearly explains what the
Act covers, the purpose of advance statements and information on
compulsory treatment orders. A glossary of key terms can be found
at the end of the document.
New Mental Health Act: an easy read
guide (Scottish Executive Publication)
Administrative Burden of
New Mental Health Legislation
The Executive has also published
findings of an investigation into the administrative burden of
implementing the Mental Health Act. It highlights the fact that
medical practitioners (psychiatrists/GPs) spend on average 225
minutes when undertaking duties relating to emergency detentions
and that additional work associated with the Act had not been
considered properly before it came into force.
Impact of Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act
2003 (Scottish Executive Report)
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Northern Ireland
Announcements
New Screening Programme for
Diabetic Retinopathy
A new programme has been launched
in Northern Ireland to enable eligible patients to be screened for
diabetic retinopathy. Early detection and treatment of the disease
– which is currently a leading cause of visual impairment in people
of working age - can prevent serious visual loss. Screening will
take place at local community-based facilities and results will be
relayed back to GP surgeries. The programme will be implemented in
March 2008 and will screen 55,000 diabetic people annually.
Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme
(DRSP) (Northern Ireland Executive Press
Release)
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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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