2009 to see strong focus on alcohol harm and the young

Seasonal over-indulgence by the media in alcohol-related stories can cause headaches that last well into the New Year and 2009 is no exception.

A Liberal Democrat MP chose New Year's Eve to release figures showing an increase in hospital admissions, particularly among the under 40s, and pointed to the "iceberg effect" of irresponsible drinking that creates long-term health problems that can take decades to surface.

Daytime television also featured an item on the part played by alcohol in relationship problems, citing figures that show two out five people are concerned about the drinking habits of someone close to them.

A government spokesman said: "We are determined to reduce the health and social harms caused by alcohol. The government's £10 million 'Know Your Limits' campaign arms people with the facts about alcohol and its effects.

"The government recently announced its intention to crack down on irresponsible promotions and impose new standards on the alcohol industry. We have not ruled out taking action on very cheap alcohol."

The New Year sees the expansion of the voluntary code on labelling of alcoholic drinks, which should now include information about alcohol units by volume and safe levels of consumption as well as advice to consumers on where to go for further information.

NHS PCC this month will publish an updated primary care service framework for alcohol developed with the Department of Health. Existing resources are available here.

Also due for publication is a new set of guidelines on alcohol consumption and young people by Sir Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer.

Healthy eating also top of the New Year health promotion menu

The first TV adverts in the Change4Life campaign were shown on 3 January. The campaign aims to start a lifestyle revolution, promoting awareness of the health risks of poor diet and lack of exercise and reversing the alarming childhood obesity trend.

In a joint letter, the chief medical officer and chief nursing officer urge health care practitioners to support Change4Life and to order support materials. Leaflets, posters and stickers can be ordered online or by phone and are free of charge.

Read the letter here.

Read more about Change4Life here.

Ben Dyson named in New Year honours

One laudable seasonal indulgence was the award of a CBE to Ben Dyson, director of primary care, Department of Health. Ben Dyson writes about the role of primary care in the first issue of Commissioning Excellence, a new publication aimed at raising the profile of primary care contracting and commissioning issues among board members and senior managers of PCTs. Download issue one here.

Practice based commissioning network to form next spring

NHS Networks is responding to demand to establish a practice based commissioning network that will allow members to share toolkits, draft frameworks and case studies, exchange news, take part in online polls and organise and participate in events. There will also be a forum for open discussion and frank debate.

The aim is to go live with the PBC network early in 2009. NHS Networks will be taking soundings of its members views about PBC in several online polls, the first of which will be run on the website in the new year.

Anyone interested in joining the PBC network can register their interest by sending an email to Krishna Patel at NHS Networks.

2009 GP patient survey gets underway today

The Department of Health has released the supporting guidance for this year's GP patient survey. As well as confirming details of the new survey, information is also given on how the data is used to assess payments to GP practices under QOF. PCTs are encouraged to read the guidance and discuss how they will ensure the data is used to ensure timely QOF achievement payments.

The 2009 survey will seek the views of more than 5 million patients.

The guidance is available here.

(Note the missing email address on page 17, para 7.13 should read: gppatientsurvey@dh.gsi.gov.uk)

Clinical DES guidance due for release later this month

We have had several queries from PCTs as to when the clinical DES guidance will be released. The latest information we have is that the guidance is expected to be available later this month. When we have a confirmed timescale we will let you know via New@PCC and the website: www.pcc.nhs.uk.

Patients will be able to rate GPs online

The government will expand its patient feedback scheme with the introduction of an online rating system for GPs. Patients have been able to comment on their experience of local hospitals via the NHS Choices website since last April. A similar system for rating GPs will go live during 2009, according to press reports.

The government argues that patient feedback drives service improvement, but opponents of the scheme, including the BMA, argue that online voting reduces GP services to the level of a popularity contest and say that the results could be misleading. Government sources counter that posts will be moderated in the interests of fairness and balance. We will bring you further information on this initiative during the year.

Building foundations for world class commissioning

This series of events continues to be extremely popular with the pharmacy events booking quickly. The event on 8 January in Nottingham is now full but some spaces remain on 14 January in Bristol. These events are aimed at new managers who deal with control of entry processes, commissioning services from community pharmacy contractors and the robust management of these contracts in line with world class commissioning. Book for the Bristol event here.

GDC launches indemnity consultation

An amendment to the Dentists Act 1984 has given the General Dental Council (GDC) the power to make rules under the Act to require all dentists to 'be covered by adequate and appropriate insurance throughout the period during which [they are] registered in the register'. There are also identical provisions requiring dental care professionals to have adequate and appropriate insurance in relation to each title under which they are registered.

The GDC is now carrying out a consultation on the requirements of 'adequate and appropriate' cover, and is inviting views on how NHS indemnity cover should be considered. There will be a further consultation to consider other issues such as enforceability and development of the rules at a later date.

Further details are available on the GDC website.

Superannuation figures to be advised imminently

Following the recent submission of contractors' returns, superannuation figures will be appearing on the December schedules issued by NHS Dental Services, along with advice on how to lodge an appeal in the case of any inaccuracies.

Dental performance management events rescheduled

The events advertised in the last issue of New@PCC for 15, 21, 23 and 29 January are to be rescheduled. The events, run by NHS PCC and the Department of Health for PCT staff delivering and managing the NHS dental agenda, are being refocused to align closely with the access target in the operating framework. New dates will be announced shortly.

Revised guidance on optical vouchers submitted by Internet suppliers of glasses

As a result of changes to the Optical Charges and Payments Regulations 1997 we have revised our guidance on optical vouchers submitted by internet suppliers of glasses. The main change is that vouchers submitted by Internet suppliers of optical appliances should always be redeemed by the PCT where the voucher is issued. Read the revised guidance here.

QOF Management Guide volume 2 due in mid January

The second of three volumes of the QOF Management Guide, an authoritative and comprehensive handbook on the quality and outcomes framework is due for publication on 19 January. Volume 1 was an introduction to the function and purpose of QOF. Volume 2 is an in-depth guide to developing and delivering high-quality QOF assessment.

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Subscriber only events

Other

Event open to all

January 2009

• 6th: National QOF Consultations - Botanical Gardens, Birmingham B15 3TR
• 7th: National QOF Consultations - Taunton Racecourse, Somerset TA3 7BL
• 7th: The New NHS Standard Contract: Mental Health and Community Contracts Implementation Workshops - Nottingham Belfry,
• 8th: Building Foundations for World Class Commissioning for Primary Care - Pharmacy - Hilton Nottingham, Nottingham NG1 3PZ
• 8th: South West POL Training - The Cleve Hotel and Country Club, Wellington, nr Taunton TA21 8SN
• 8th: The New NHS Standard Contract: Mental Health and Community Contracts Implementation Workshops - Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire RG14 7NZ
• 12th: The New NHS Standard Contract: Ambulance Services Implementation Workshop - Hilton London Metropole, London W2 1JU
• 13th: National QOF Consultations - Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury, WC1N 1HT
• 14th: Building Foundations for World Class Commissioning for Primary Care - Pharmacy - Jurys Bristol, BS1 4QF
• 14th: By Invitation Only: Beds and Luton Oral Health Strategy and Commissioning Group - Best Western Moore Place Hotel, Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire MK17 8DW
• 14th: South Central Financial Implications of changes to GMS Meeting + Steering group and Primary Care Leads Meeting - Shaw House, Newbury RG14 2DR
• 15th: NHS London; Equitable Access Programme Network Meeting - Aeonian Conference Centre, London,
• 15th: SEC Primary Care Leads Network - Mercure London Gatwick Hotel, Gatwick RH6 0BE
• 16th: The New NHS Standard Contract: Mental Health and Community Contracts Implementation Workshops - Hilton Leeds, LS1 4BX
• 16th: South Central Dental Leads Workshop - Hilton Newbury Centre, Berkshire RG14 7HL
• 16th: East of England Regional PCTs Dental Network - Hilton London Stansted Airport Hotel, Stansted CM24 1SF
• 19th: Draft Pharmacy Order 2009 Consultation Event (Professionals) - Hilton London Metropole, London W2 1JU
• 20th: By Invitation Only: Suffolk PCT and Suffolk LDC - Dental Overview Event with the Chief Dental Officer - Barry Cockcroft - Trinity Park Conference & Event Centre, Ipswich IP3 8UH
• 21st: The New NHS Standard Contract: Mental Health and Community Contracts Implementation Workshops - De Vere University Arms,
• 22nd: Building Foundations for World Class Commissioning for Primary Care - Eye Care - Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham B5 4EW
• 23rd: South West Commissioning GMS & PMS Services in the context of the Primary Care & Community Services Strategy - Holiday Inn Taunton, Taunton TA1 2UA
• 26th: The New NHS Standard Contract: Mental Health and Community Contracts Implementation Workshops - The Cleve Hotel & Country Club, Wellington TA21 8SN
• 27th: World Class Commissioning for Primary Care - The Brewery, London EC1Y 4SD
• 28th: Building Foundations for World Class Commissioning for Primary Care - Eye Care - Cambridge Belfry, Cambourne CB23 6BW
• 29th: NHS London - Equitable Access to Primary Medical Care, ITT Evaluation Re-run - tbc,
• 30th: Draft Pharmacy Order 2009 Consultation Event (Professionals) - The Queen's, Leeds LS1 1PL

For further event dates please see www.pcc.nhs.uk/events