NCAS reports on first eight years' referral data

The National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS) has published an analysis of referral data around performance concerns for doctors and dentists. The report identifies which groups of practitioners are more likely to be referred to NCAS and what can be learnt from these referral patterns. It also examines episodes of suspension and exclusion of individual practitioners. And, for more than 1,400 cases dealt with by NCAS since the end of 2007, the report analyses in depth the nature of concerns which led to referral.

Gary Belfield on world class commissioning

World class commissioning is not a status to be achieved and retained but an ongoing process of improvement which has patients' changing needs at its heart, according to an article by acting director general of commissioning and system management Gary Belfield writing in the latest issue of the HSJ.

East of England primary medical care and pandemic flu preparations

A workshop to discuss plans to ensure the provision of primary medical services during pandemic flu will be held on 2 October at De Vere University Arms.

Let's Get Moving: new physical activity care pathway for the NHS

The commissioning guidance encourages local commissioning of physical activity interventions in primary care. See also the letter from the secretary of state for health.

Helping the NHS put patients at the heart of care

The Government is committed to help services become better at listening, understanding and responding to the needs and wishes of patients and the public. This document tells you more about the Department of Health support programme to help services engage patients and the public.

Authorisation of antiviral medicines: guidance on the use of FP10SS forms and Antiviral Authorisation Vouchers during the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic in England

This guidance document contains useful information on when Antiviral Authorisation Vouchers can be used, how the forms need to be completed, how they can be accessed and re-ordered and other security aspects around handling of the vouchers.

A chance to shape the new QMAS

The Department of Health and NHS Connecting for Health are currently considering replacing the Quality Management Analysis System (QMAS) with a more flexible calculating and reporting system. Take part in the online survey, which runs until the end of October.

Osteoporosis DES claim form

NHS PCC has published a claim form for use by practices for the osteoporosis directed enhanced service (DES) for both 2008/09 and 2009/10. The form has been approved by both DH and NHS Employers. The 2009/10 figures have been amended to take into account the DDRB uplift of 1.74%. All cells highlighted in light blue require manual input from the user. PCTs that require further information should contact Mike Simpson.

QOF business rules v 15.1 now available

QOF business rules v 15.1 are available on the PCC website.

Please note there is only one version of the rule sets. Rule sets for 4 byte systems have not been published. Changes to QOF business rule sets are outlined in this Excel spreadsheet.

Amendment to the statement of financial entitlements (SFE)

The SFE has been amended to introduce revised dispensing fee-scales for GPs; changes to the vaccines for which a GP cannot claim a personal administration fee; a new provision for the proposed 2009 swine flu vaccine.

Your views on NHS Employers' new PNA guidance

NHS Employers has produced two new guidance documents to support PCTs in developing pharmaceutical needs assessments (PNAs). The two guides - PNAs as Part of World Class Commissioning and a toolkit called Developing PNAs - have been developed with the help of PCTs. NHS Employers is now asking PCT pharmacy leads for their views on the guides, to inform their future work. If you would like to give your feedback, please complete NHS Employers' brief online questionnaire by 9 October.

Improving the retention of junior pharmacists in the NHS

In its last report, the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) identified a problem with the retention of junior pharmacists in the NHS. The secretary of state rejected the PRB's recommendation of a national recruitment and retention premium but said he would encourage the NHS to consider the retention challenges raised.

PAGB publishes cold and flu leaflet

The Proprietary Association of Great Britain (PAGB) which represents suppliers of over-the-counter medicines and the RCGP have issued a leaflet on cold and flu prevention, which is available from both organisations' websites.

Call for decontamination case studies

We are interested to hear from any PCTs who have invested in bringing practices up to the cross-infection control standards specified in the new DH decontamination guidance using capital funds or other means. Share your experiences by emailing a brief outline to julia.battersby@pcc.nhs.uk.

Dental Access Programme workshop 3 postponed

The Department of Health has advised us that the draft template agreement for the Dental Access Programme is being finalised. This involves ongoing discussions with the British Dental Association (BDA) and potential providers. Dental Access Programme workshop 3 events will therefore be postponed until the documents are ready. Delegates will be notified of the new dates as soon as possible. NHS PCC would like to apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.

Camera, lights, teeth...

Somerset primary care dental service, in conjunction with students at Bridgewater College and a local video production company, have produced a film called Teeth - the musical on DVD. The 13-minute film is aimed at young children and people with learning disabilities. Content includes caring for teeth, how to brush properly and avoiding decay.

To obtain a copy, contact the Somerset primary care dental service on ohpoffice@somerset.nhs.uk or call 01278 436622.

Dental patients reluctant to complain according to the DCS

According to a new survey by the GDC offshoot the Dental Complaints Service, a quarter of dental patients (26%) have wanted to complain about their dental treatment, but have not done anything about it. The most common reason for wanting to make an official complaint was the cost of treatment (33%), followed by ineffective treatment (14%), inconvenient appointments (13%) and unnecessary treatment (13%). People were reluctant to start a formal process reporting these concerns because it wouldn't 'be worth it' (35%), patients lacked confidence (17%), or people feared 'negative comeback' (15%).

Government challenged over quality of services

The lack of support for people who are losing their sight has been branded a 'national disgrace' by the RNIB.

In a new report the RNIB estimates that of the 100 individuals in the UK who will begin to lose their sight each day in this country just eight will be offered counselling, despite evidence that this group has a high risk of depression and even suicide.

Finance Analyst - Practice Based Commissioning - Brent PCT

More information

Subscriber only events

Other

Event open to all NHS

October 2009

• 1st: London: GOS Network - King's Fund, London W1A 0AX
• 2nd: EoE: Primary Medical Care and pandemic flu preparations - De Vere University Arms, CB2 1AD
• 6th: SW : Eyecare Network Meeting - Cleve Hotel & Country Club, Wellington TA21 8SN
• 6th: Market Communication Events for the Dental Access Programme (Information day for Potential Dental Providers) - Crowne Plaza Birmingham, B1 1HH
• 6th: Building Foundations for World Class Commissioning of Primary Care: Fitness to Practise - Thistle Kingsley, London WC1A 2SD
• 7th: SW :Building Foundations for World Class Commissioning of Primary Care: Eye Care - Cleve Hotel & Country Club, Wellington TA21 8SN
• 7th: WM: QOF Assessor Training - Birmingham City Football Club,
• 8th: EM; QOF Network - Holiday Inn Derby / Nottingham, NG10 5NJ
• 8th: Market Communication Events for the Dental Access Programme (Information Evening for Potential Dental Providers) - Abbey Hotel, Redditch B98 9BE
• 9th: Building Foundations for World Class Commissioning of Primary Care: QOF Level 1 - Radisson Edwardian Manchester, M2 5GP
• 12th: LDN: POL Training - Wellcome Conference Centre, London NW1 2BE
• 13th: NW: BY INVITATION ONLY Dental Clinical Engagement Event - Reebok Stadium: Bolton Wanderers FC / Devere Whites Hotel, Bolton BL6 6JW
• 13th: South West Peninsula Back to Basics Workshop - Future Inn Plymouth, Plymouth PL6 5ZD
• 14th: NW: POL Training Event (AM & PM) - Park Inn Manchester, M4 4EW
• 14th: Market Communication Events for the Dental Access Programme (Information day for Potential Dental Providers) - Best Western Stoke on Trent Moat House, ST1 5BQ
• 14th: EM: Dental Network - Holiday Inn Derby / Nottingham, NG10 5NJ
• 15th: EM: QOF Assessor Training - Village Nottingham, NG9 6DL
• 15th: EoE: Eye Care Leads Network - Radisson Stansted Airport, CM24 1PP
• 15th: YH: Pharmacy Panel Training - Park Inn York, YO1 6JF
• 15th: SC: PMS/GMS contract review event - Chequers Hotel, Newbury RG14 1JB
• 15th: SEC: Dental Bidder Programme Event - Mercure London Gatwick Hotel, Gatwick RH6 0BE
• 19th: EM: Eye Care - Springfield House Business and Conference Centre, Grantham NG31 7BG
• 20th: NW: Primary Care Finance Leads - Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel, Preston PR5 0UJ
• 20th: EoE: Community Pharmacy Commissioning leads network - Radisson Stansted Airport, CM24 1PP
• 21st: Building Foundations for World Class Commissioning of Primary Care: Medical Level 2 - Crowne Plaza Manchester, M4 4AF
• 21st: NW: Dental - Service Experience Event - Renaissance Manchester Hotel, Manchester M3 2EQ
• 22nd: YH: POL Training - Holiday Inn Wakefield, WF5 9BE
• 28th: Primary Care Commissioning for Offenders - Hilton London Metropole, W2 1JU
• 29th: NW: GOS Network Meeting - Ramada Manchester Piccadilly, M1 4PH

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