Dealing with the downturn: the greatest ever leadership challenge for the NHS?

This paper explores the financial situation facing the NHS and suggests how NHS leaders should respond to the severe contraction in finances they are likely to face.

Health in a Cold Climate: new report on the financial challenges facing the NHS

This report draws on discussions at a series of four seminars, the aim of which was to explore the financial context in which the NHS is working and opportunities for using resources more efficiently. Each seminar was led by experts in NHS management and finance and participants included leaders from the public and private health care sectors. The ideas set out in this paper are based on the presentations at the seminars and the points made in the discussions they generated.

CQC Voices into Action charter now published

The CQC's user involvement statement (or charter), Voices into Action, was published last week, following its recent consultation. It sets out how the CQC will encourage service users and their carers and families to take part in the work of the commission and help shape the regulatory framework for health care and adult social care.

Patient and public engagement - the early impact of world-class commissioning

According to this report primary care trusts have noticed significant changes in the last two years to the way they organise patient and public engagement in commissioning, amounting to the beginnings of a cultural shift.

Practice-based commissioning in action: a guide for GPs

The guidance provides access to advice, practical examples and details of where to find further support. Although primarily designed for those just starting out with PBC, it also contains information and useful tips of interest to those that have already made progress but are looking to expand their activity further.

Commissioning in a cold climate

This document looks at how commissioners can respond to the big challenges in the coming years. It says policy makers will need to ensure commissioners have the right tools to deliver the scale of change required. Payment by results and the current standard NHS and GP contracts will need to be reviewed to ensure they are designed to drive efficiency and productivity. It highlights a number of ways in which commissioners can improve quality in the NHS by driving efficiency and productivity through best practice, reducing the prices of services and volumes of activity, and looking at cheaper, high quality options available.

Updated guidance on PE7 and PE8 payments

This guidance from the Department of Health follows the interim guidance sent to PCTs on 1 June 2009 regarding the QOF scores arising from the GP Patient Survey. This clarifies the evidence that is required from practices who wish to appeal in the exceptional circumstances where there is no survey result or where the result is very low for an individual practice.

QOF business rulesets: minor change to sexual health indicator

The change is to Sexual Health, Indicator 3, Rule 1 and this particular ruleset has been renamed version 14.1. The amendment was needed so only patients on emergency hormonal contraception are included, and patients on other contraceptives will be excluded. No amendments were made to any other rulesets.

Seven steps to patient safety in general practice

Seven steps to patient safety in general practice describes the key steps for a general practice to take to avoid harming the patients they care for. This guide, from the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) is based on the full reference document 'Seven steps to patient safety in primary care', and adapted specifically for general practice. Alongside each step is a set of activities that can be taken to develop policies, strategies and action plans. There are also practical hints and techniques that can be used to promote quality care.

NHS Health Check service specification published

The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee has published a national template service specification for the NHS Health Check service, developed collaboratively with the Department of Health. The template provides a starting point for the development of local service specifications by LPCs and PCTs.

Health Care and Associated Professions (Pharmacy): The Pharmacy Order 2009 - consultation report

The Pharmacy Order 2009 was published in draft for public consultation between 9 December 2008 and 9 March 2009. This report provides information on the outcome of that consultation.

Prescribing for diabetes in England: an update 2002 to 2008

Diabetes is a clinical area of high expenditure. This report presents national level trends in prescribing for diabetes in England with information that illustrates the increasing prevalence of diabetes and obesity in England.

Building Foundations: pharmaceutical services

This event will build on foundation level knowledge of the commissioning and contracting of pharmaceutical services. It will include updates on the Pharmacy White Paper and the Health Bill 2009, the work of NHS Employers with regard to Community Pharmacy, and pharmacy consumer research carried out by the Department of Health. The event takes place in York on 7 July. Full details are on the NHS PCC website.

Dental access procurement guide on CD

A disc containing resources for dental commissioners is available on request from NHS PCC. The disc includes video footage and slides from all the presentations at a recent event for potential providers as well as detailed procurement guides and other useful documents. It is available free of charge to commissioners and potential providers.

GDC issues swine flu guidance

The GDC is issuing advice for dental professionals following confirmation by the World Health Organisation that swine flu now meets the technical definition of a pandemic. The GDC's advice is on its web site.

CDO Update: June issue published

The latest edition of CDO Update is available on the DH website.

Salaried dental benchmarking project

Returns are coming in for the salaried dental benchmarking project, which is now in its fourth week of data collection. The deadline for submissions is Friday 26 June. The FAQ has been updated. Further details from elizabeth.stopp@pcc.nhs.uk.

Prevention in Practice e-learning CD Rom launched

A new CD ROM based learning programme has been produced by the Department of Health, Smile On and South Central SHA to help dental teams put 'Delivering better oral health' into practice. Single copies of the CD cost £99. For full details call Smile On 020 7400 8989 or email info@smile-on.com.

GOC consults on Welsh language scheme

The General Optical Council (GOC) has launched a consultation on its proposed Welsh language scheme. Anyone with an interest in the GOC's work is encouraged to offer suggestions and feedback on the draft proposals.

Under the scheme, when providing services to the public in Wales the GOC will aim to treat the English and Welsh languages equally.

Commissioning Complaints Manager - Cornwall & Isles of Scilly PCT

Subscriber only events

Other

Event open to all NHS

June 2009

• 23rd: London; Dental Access - Workshop 1 - Thistle Marble Arch, W1H 7EH
• 23rd: Building Foundations: Fitness to Practise and Discipline Committee - St John's Hotel, Solihull B91 1AT
• 24th: Building Foundations Towards World Class Commissioning for Primary Care - Medical Level 1 - Village Leeds South, Tingley LS27 0TS
• 24th: NW: 5% random counter fraud checks for QOF - De Vere Daresbury Park, Warrington WA4 4BB
• 24th: EoE: Primary Medical Care Contracting leads networks - Great Hallingbury Manor, Bishop's Stortford CM227TJ
• 24th: EoE: Primary Care Commissioning networks - Great Hallingbury Manor, Bishop's Stortford CM227TJ
• 25th: Urgent care: a practical guide to transforming same-day care in general practice - King's Fund, London W1A 0AX
• 25th: YH: Primary Care Dental Network (Inc Lunch) - Holiday Inn Wakefield, WF5 9BE
• 25th: WM: QOF Changes 09/10 - Crowne Plaza Birmingham, Birmingham B1 1HH
• 25th: YH: Primary Care Optometry Network (Inc Lunch) - Holiday Inn Wakefield, WF5 9BE
• 26th: EoE Primary Care finance leads network - Hilton Stansted Airport, Stansted CM24 1SF
• 26th: WCC Competencies - Personal Development Awareness (Midlands) - Crowne Plaza Birmingham, Birmingham B1 1HH
• 30th: World Class Commissioning of Pharmacy Services and Pharmaceutical Needs Assessments - Millennium Gloucester Hotel, SW7 4LH
• 30th: NW: Primary Care Leads Meeting - Radisson SAS Hotel Manchester Airport, Manchester M90 3RA
• 30th: NW: Primary Care Steering Group Network - Radisson SAS Hotel Manchester Airport, Manchester M90 3RA

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

Other events

Transforming NHS dental provision

This one-day conference for PCTs and practitioners will be held at the Royal Society of Medicine in central London on 30 June. It aims to present a clear strategic vision of the future of NHS dentistry and to inspire delegates to implement this vision locally.

British Dental Trade Association (BDTA) dental showcase

Treasures of Dentistry, the BDTA dental showcase 2009 will take place at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) Birmingham from 12 to 14 November.