Definitive primary care survey gets underway

The national survey of primary care gets underway today with the publication of the data specification developed with PCTs.

The survey, a joint venture between NHS Benchmarking Network and NHS PCC, is the most comprehensive attempt to measure PCTs' performance in primary care ever undertaken. It will allow PCTs to assess their own performance against regional and national norms using a wide range of indicators.

We will contact your PCT over the next week to explain how data can be submitted. All the data used will be anonymised.

Steve Watkins, chief analyst with NHS Benchmarking Network, said: "The more PCTs participate, the more valuable the data, so we are keen to secure the cooperation of all PCTs in the survey. Most of the data will be readily available. Some will need additional work but we strongly believe the results will justify the effort. The survey report will give them definitive benchmarks against which to plan all aspects of primary care provision and strategy."

The deadline for submissions is 16 February. Where complete data is unavailable, partial submissions will be used. The findings will be published in March. A further report, due later in the year, will provide comparisons for all PCTs of performance and profiles for PCT peers within the same ONS demographic groups.

All PCTs who have so far been involved in developing and validating the project specification have confirmed their wish to be involved in the full study.

You will receive information this week on how to submit data. If you have any queries, please contact Steve Watkins.

Transforming community services: currency and pricing options for community services

This document is intended as a resource to be used by commissioners and providers of community services to help create transparent models of funding through the use of new currencies and better pricing at local level. New currencies (the units of healthcare for which a provider is funded) and better pricing are key to transforming community services, enabling commissioners to incentivise improvements in quality and value. The use of new currencies with accurate pricing should also lead to more services being available closer to home for patients.

GP patient survey questionnaire 2008/9

A copy of this year's GP patient survey questionnaire is available to view on the survey website maintained by IPSOS MORI. This site is designed to provide information to patients registered with a GP who have been selected to take part in the survey, as well as to the general public who may be interested in knowing more about the survey. It can be found at www.gp-patient.co.uk.

New guidance on pharmaceutical needs assessments (PNAs)

NHS Employers has produced new guidance to help PCTs develop pharmaceutical needs assessments (PNAs) in the context of world class commissioning. It includes why and how PNAs should be integrated into PCTs' existing business and commissioning cycles; how PNAs fit within the world class commissioning framework and the key areas that a PNA should cover. The guidance is aimed at directors of commissioning and pharmacy leads in PCTs, and providers of pharmaceutical services. The guidance is available here.

New price regulation scheme takes effect

The Department of Health and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry have reached agreement on a new Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme that took effect on 1 January 2009. This new scheme provides for a number of measures, including a cut of 3.9% in the cost of branded drugs sold to the NHS from February 2009.

Further details are available here.

Commissioning to improve oral health paper published

NHS PCC has published a paper covering the background and approach to commissioning for improvements in oral health. Based on a presentation at the Delivering better oral health - embedding prevention in NHS practice events in September 2008, the paper includes a step by step guide to strategic planning for prevention.

The paper is available here.

Event report: building foundations for dentistry

Last month's events in Manchester and Oxford gave commissioners new in post or simply in need of a refresher the opportunity to learn about their role and responsibilities in light of the new dental contracts. Among key themes were the challenges posed by performance management and uncertainties arising from the dental contract changes.

Read the full report here.

GOC consults on changes to codes of conduct

The General Optical Council (GOC) has launched a consultation on changes to the codes of conduct for both individual and business registrants.

Changes are proposed to 14 areas of the codes of conduct. Issues under consideration include:

• Should practitioners be legally obliged to report concerns about their own or a colleague's fitness to practise?
• What kinds of behaviour, whilst practising or not, should put a person's registration at risk?
• Do the codes of conduct do enough to promote equality and diversity?

Jon Levett, GOC director of standards, said: "The codes of conduct are the fundamental guide to professional standards and conduct, so these changes are important and far-reaching. I would encourage all registrants and other stakeholders to read about what we are proposing and let us know their views."

The consultation is being promoted with a wide range of interested parties including registrants, optical bodies, patient groups, charities, campaign groups, government departments and other healthcare regulators.

Consultation documents can be downloaded from the GOC's website, www.optical.org. An online survey form is also available so that consultees can respond quickly and easily.

The consultation closes on 24 April 2009.

NHS PCC continues to provide PCTs with help and support where it is most needed. Resources include access to our advisors and the primary medical care contracting helpdesk - which includes QOF and access to a range of products tailored for PCT subscribers.

If your PCT has a query on QOF please raise this with your local advisor or e-mail the helpdesk. Comprehensive QOF resources can be found on the NHS PCC website here.

Assistant Director Continuing Care - Brent Teaching PCT
Ref: 721-BPCT-1436

PCTs can provide details of their vacancies to be included in this section. Contact your local advisor if you would like a vacancy in your PCT featured.

Subscriber only events

Other

Event open to all

January 2009

• 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 (Shropshire House),
• 15th: NHS 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