Swine flu: from containment to treatment

This guidance outlines the rationale of the movement from containment to treatment to manage a flu pandemic; sets out roles and responsibilities for the NHS over coming months and outlines support being made available to NHS and other front line staff.

New H1N1v influenza: current situation and next steps

This letter from Sir Liam Donaldson gives doctors a synopsis of the epidemiology of the new H1N1v virus so far and some suggestions as to what might happen next. The letter also outlines the rationale for the public health and clinical response so far, information and guidance on steps that now need to be taken and an outline of further planning and policy.

NHS PCC introduces new helpdesk system

NHS PCC has introduced a new web-based helpdesk function to cut response times, provide a searchable database of FAQs and ensure a robust quality assurance process for queries. New FAQs will be added monthly to reflect the issues most often raised via the helpdesks.

To log a new query with the helpdesk or browse our FAQs please visit: helpdesk.pcc.nhs.uk. You may be asked to log-in to the PCC website before being able to post your query, but the system will remember your log-in on your next visit. Please note that the level of access to the different helpdesks will be determined by your subscription status. Only PCT subscribing organisations have full access to all helpdesk areas.

The new system will give you an immediate query number and email receipt and your query will be sent simultaneously by email to one of our advisors for a speedy response.

Building Britain's future

This paper outlines the action that the UK Government is taking to move the UK from recession to recovery and forge a new model of economic growth; restore trust and accountability to the political system; and modernise public services and national infrastructure. Chapter four covers the rebuilding of public services, including health services.

Audit shows 60 per cent of people with diabetes in England are not getting complete care

Sixty per cent of the 1.42 million people with diabetes in England included in the latest national diabetes audit do not receive all the care recommended for their condition.

The fifth national audit, carried out by the NHS Information Centre in 2007/08 and funded and commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP), also shows people with diabetes are more likely to have complications if they live in certain parts of the country or have a more socially deprived background.

The South West PCC steering group and primary care meeting will be held tomorrow in Taunton. On the agenda will be an update from the SHA primary care leads meeting and the South West PCC work plan. The workshop session will focus on emergency planning including pandemic flu arrangements.

New dedicated resource for commissioners goes online

A new website has been set up for the support and development of world-class commissioning. The site, which is hosted by NHS Networks and supported by the Department of Health, contains news, policy, guidance and other resources for commissioners against each of the 11 competencies. A discussion forum for sharing views and intelligence on key issues will be started later this month and the aim is to build a comprehensive database of good practice. A series of events to stimulate debate and sharing of good practice is running this week and next with workshops led by chief executives from some of the country's highest performing PCTs. Visitors to the site are encouraged to register for news of developments due to be rolled out over the course of the year.

PBC two years on: moving forward and making a difference?

In 2007, a straw poll of GPs and practice managers by the King's Fund and NHS Alliance found that PCTs were struggling to put in place the basic building blocks of practice-based commissioning (PBC). This report investigates whether PBC has moved forward and whether it has made a difference to patient care. A new poll has found continuing commitment to PBC and optimism about its potential but progress is still hampered by a lack of local vision, a lack of clarity over roles and responsibilities and bureaucratic governance processes.

Recognising complexity: commissioning guidance for personality disorder services

Guidance for commissioners in the NHS, criminal justice system, local authorities and others, which provides information and suggestions on best practice when considering services and systems for people with personality disorders.

A year of progress towards High Quality Care for All

Lord Darzi has published his report High Quality Care for All: Our Journey So Far, which examines the progress that has been made since High Quality Care for All was published a year ago. Across each dimension of quality - patient experience, patient safety and clinical effectiveness - Lord Darzi has found that there has been real progress with patients already seeing the difference.

Moving on up

This report from the Mental Health Foundation reveals the barriers that are preventing patients with mild or moderate depression from accessing exercise on prescription. They include funding constraints within local government and PCTs, and that many GPs aren't aware that exercise schemes are available in their area.

New guide for practice managers promotes access and responsiveness

A comprehensive guide is now available online for practice managers seeking new ways to improve access to and responsiveness of general practice. The DH-sponsored document is the result of collaboration by NHS Alliance, the British Medical Association, the National Association of Primary Care, the Institute for Healthcare Management, AMSPAR, the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Family Doctor Association. An interactive version of the guide will be produced later in the year along with a revamped website. The existing site also includes a registration form for the practice managers' network, which has attracted more than 1,000 registrations since it went live earlier this year.

Quality of GP consultations drives high patient satisfaction

Being given enough time with a GP and feeling that their problems are taken seriously are the most important factor in patients' satisfaction with their local surgery, according to new data out now.

The GP Patient Survey, the biggest healthcare survey of its kind, found that overall satisfaction with surgeries was high at 91%, but there is still room for improvement in accessing GP services, especially getting through on the phone and being able to make appointments more than 48 hours in advance.

Record keeping: a letter to doctors

The chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, has written to doctors in England about maintaining separate clinical and research records. The letter also includes information about acting as an expert witness.

Fiftieth GP health centre opens

Health minister Mike O'Brien this week visited North Essex to officially open the 50th fully operational GP health centre in England.

NPA aims to improve commissioning of community pharmacy

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) is working with LPCs and PCTs to develop a process for assuring the quality of commissioning of community pharmacy services. The aim of the project is to increase constructive dialogue between contractors and commissioners, increase the level of local investment in pharmacy services and improve PCT performance right the way around the commissioning cycle.

General Pharmaceutical Council chair appointed

The Appointments Commission has named Robert Nicholls CBE as chair of the General Pharmaceutical Council, the new independent regulator for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy premises from 2010.

Dentists with special interests (DwSI) conference

The Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) hosted the first conference of its kind on implementing the DwSI scheme on 3 July 2009. The main aim of the day was to raise awareness of the commissioning process for DwSI via the sharing of case studies in good practice. There was a strong focus on prison dentistry and the particular challenges and issues surrounding its commissioning. Further information on DwSI is available on the PCC website.

GDC extends student fitness to practice consultation

The GDC is extending its closing date on its draft guidance for student fitness to practice to 5pm, Friday 21 August 2009.

GOC highlights importance of student supervision

The General Optical Council (GOC) is reminding all optical businesses, students and supervisors to ensure their current arrangements for professional supervision of students meet the requirements outlined by the GOC, and examination or assessment bodies.

This follows a recent fitness to practise (FTP) hearing.

GOC warns students to renew by 15 July

The GOC has warned thousands of optometry and dispensing optics students to renew their registration by 15 July or face a late penalty fee. The £10 late fee means that, for those who don't get their application and payment in by the deadline, the cost of retention will increase to £30.

So far only 53 per cent of students have renewed their registration. This means 2,340 students are putting their registration at risk. Students who fail to renew their registration by 31 August face removal from the student registers from 1 September. Students who are removed will be required to restore to the registers, and pay a £40 fee.

Commissioning, Finance & Performance/Information Manager - NHS Bristol

Subscriber only events

Other

Event open to all NHS

July 2009

• 9th: WCC Competencies - Personal Development Awareness (South) - Hilton Kensington, W11 4UL
• 9th: WM: EAPC Meeting - Maple House, Birmingham B4 6TB
• 14th: NW Primary Care Finance Leads Meeting - Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel, Preston PR5 0UJ
• 14th: EM: Dental Access Programme Workshop 2 - East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham NG7 2RJ
• 15th: SEC: Dental Leads Meeting - Stanhill Court, Surrey RH6 0EP
• 15th: EoE: Community Pharmacy Commissioning leads network - Radisson Stansted Airport, CM24 1PP
• 15th: WCC Competencies - Personal Development Awareness (North) - Park Plaza, Leeds, LS1 5NS
• 15th: London: WCC Best Practice: Market Development & Management - Guoman Tower, London E1W 1LD
• 15th: SC: Dental Access Programme Workshop 2 - Shaw House, Newbury RG14 2DR
• 16th: Birmingham: WCC Best Practice: Excellence in Governance - Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre, B5 4EW
• 16th: EM: Dental Network - Holiday Inn Sandiacre, NG10 5NJ
• 16th: South: Equitable Access to Primary Medical Care Lessons Learned Event - Riverbank Park Plaza, London
• 16th: EM: Payments On-line Training (PM + Lunch) - Holiday Inn Sandiacre, NG10 5NJ
• 17th: SW: World Class Commissioning for Primary Care Services - Cleve Hotel & Country Club, Wellington TA21 8SN
• 20th: WM: Dental Access Programme Workshop 2 - Crowne Plaza Birmingham, B1 1HH
• 21st: WM: Pharmacy Network Meeting - The Studio, Birmingham B2 5EP
• 21st: NW: Dental Access Programme Workshop 2 - Crowne Plaza Manchester, M4 4AF
• 22nd: SEC: Dental Access Programme Workshop 2 - Sofitel London Gatwick, RH6 0PH
• 23rd: EM; QOF Network - Holiday Inn Derby / Nottingham, NG10 5NJ
• 23rd: YH: Primary Care Policy Leads Network (Inc Lunch) - Holiday Inn Wakefield, WF5 9BE
• 23rd: YH: Primary Care Pharmacy Network (Inc Lunch) - Holiday Inn Wakefield, WF5 9BE
• 23rd: Ldn: Procurement Network Meeting - De Vere 17 Portland Place, London W1B 1PU
• 24th: London: GP Premises Forum - Hallam Hotel, London W1N 5LF
• 28th: WM: Dental Leads Meeting - Crowne Plaza Birmingham, B1 1HH

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