The GDC would like you to hear your views on whether patients should be allowed to see different types of dental professionals without going to a dentist first.
The All Party Pharmacy Group has published the report of its 2011 inquiry into medicines shortages. The inquiry called for all stakeholders in the medicines supply chain including pharmacy bodies, manufacturers, wholesalers and government departments to provide both written and verbal evidence.
The Department of Health (DH) has released preliminary information concerning stage 2 of the drug tariff simplification process which includes, among other things, changes to the way out of pocket expenses are dealt with. The changes are due to be implemented in July 2012.
From July 2012, most primary medical services providers will be invited to apply for registration with the Care Quality Commission and all providers will need to be registered by April 2013. The BMA has published guidance about the registration process to help GPs determine whether they are compliant with the CQC's essential standards, and to explain what will happen once providers are registered.
PCC has published an update on changes to the QOF read codes for v22.
The changes have been made to reflect that the code cluster in the business rules for AF7 include dabigatran.
The updates were provided by Dr Dave Jeffery of Herefordshire PCT.
PCC has received numerous enquires about changes to the GMS contract for 2012/13, which are covered in our briefings on changes to GMS and changes to QOF.
This briefing is intended to help the NHS and local government think about new approaches to the commissioning and provision of comprehensive, integrated falls prevention services. It shows that a focus on prevention and early intervention through joint working has benefits for the whole health and social care system, and that not taking action may soon become unaffordable.
Payment by Results (PbR) is the payment system in England under which commissioners pay healthcare providers for each patient seen or treated. Activity covered by PbR tariffs and currencies covers an increasing proportion of commissioner spend on acute healthcare.
These documents provide information to support the operation of PbR in 2012/13.
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has produced a briefing which provides a summary guide to sustainability for busy CCG commissioners and health and wellbeing board members.
It sets out the key policy and operational drivers for a sustainable development approach to health and social care design and delivery. This includes specific detail regarding climate change and other environmental issues, but also covers social and economic sustainability.
Three new slim volumes in the Smart Guides to Engagement series are out this week. Seven of a planned series of 10 guides have now been published with the aim of giving CCGs easily digestible practical tips on how to tackle different aspects of patient and public engagement. The new guides are:
The guides have been written and edited by some of the country's leading PPE practitioners and advocates.