IHAS Update
April 2012
News, views and snippets from the dynamic world of health care.
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IHAS Update April 2012 (526.74 kB)
Stop Press
Local Education and Training Boards (LETB’s) - what this means for the independent sector
Joint conference with the NHS Partners and Skills for Health on 18 April has the LETB’s high on the agenda.
IHAS has partnered with Laing and Buisson, Skills for Health, NHS Partners and the National Care Forum to present this important seminar specifically for independent providers.
The conference will examine:
The key role of the new LETBs (Local Education and Training Boards) and how independent providers can access them;
- the workforce challenges that the sector will face as a result of the Health and Social Care Bill;
- how independent providers will be able to influence the delivery of training and workforce development; and
- how to develop partnership working with the ‘new’ NHS.
The conference will be chaired by Catherine Ward, Group Director People and Communications at General Healthcare Group and boasts a number of high profile speakers, including:
- Debbie Mellor, Deputy Director, Workforce Education Branch, Department of Health
- Peter Sharp, Chief Executive, Centre for Workforce Intelligence
- John Herring, Programme Director and Kathy Tyler, Director of London and South East, Skills for Health
- Nadra Ahmed OBE, Vice Chair, Skills for Care
- Louise Banks, Senior Workforce Lead, NHS Midlands and East, Workforce Intelligence and Development Team;
- Mark Hunt, Care UK
Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
IHAS Specific News
Health Protection Agency: Commentary on six-monthly (April 2011 to September 2011) data on MRSA and MSSA bacteraemia and Clostridium difficile infection from Independent Sector Healthcare Organisations in England
This is the fourth publication of surveillance data on meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteraemia and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) from Independent Sector (IS) healthcare organisations. This publication also includes the first data on meticillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteraemia, collection of which began in January 2011.
A total of 7 cases of MRSA bacteraemia, 15 cases of MSSA bacteraemia and 42 cases of CDI were reported for April 2011 to September 2011. This document summarises the data and discusses key caveats and should be read in conjunction with the commentary accompanying the first data publication1. In addition the summary of key differences between the NHS and IS should be considered (Table 1). The report is available on the IHAS website.
New Enquiry into the regulation of medical implants
The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee plans to examine the regulation of medical implants. The inquiry will not focus on cosmetic implants. The enquiry welcomes written comments on the following questions before 26 April.
1. Are current legislation and regulations on safety and efficacy of medical implants fit for purpose?
2. How effectively does the MHRA implement the Directive in theUK?
3. How could the legislation and regulations be improved?
4. How could the European Commission ensure that potential changes to the Medical Devices Directive do not hinder the introduction of innovations in medical implants to the market?
Read more. IHAS will be submitting a full response.
OFT announcement delayed for one month as to whether to refer the sector to the Competition Panel
Ahead of the Office of Fair Trading’s final decision in March, HealthInvestor surveyed the sector’s biggest providers to get their take on the regulator’s concerns:
"The big insurers seek to use their market power to unfairly depress private hospital prices."
"Change is required in the private healthcare market so that it works better for the consumer."
"Schemes that offer consultants payment for patient referrals are designed to coerce doctors to deprive their patients of choice."
Duty of Cooperation – update on progress
The Department of Health commissioned NHS Employers (NHSE) to work alongside IHAS to develop a MoU which would be drawn up between healthcare employers and providers of healthcare services to the NHS, and the independent health sector. The MoU was intended to support proposals for new legislation ‘The Health Care Workers (Duty of Co-operation) Regulations’ and would outline an agreement to share information on the basis of fact in relation to concerns about healthcare professionals, where there is a risk to patient. Due to the change of Government mid-way into the programme and other legislative and policy changes being developed a decision was taken not to legislate in this area. A key consideration therefore is how public and independent organisations providing healthcare services might work together in the absence of a regulatory framework to ensure that a person posing a risk to patient safety is identified and managed; and how they might work in collaboration, where it is deemed appropriate, to decide on action to be taken.
The latest paper sets out proposals for how a duty of co-operation might be introduced in the form of Duty of Co-operation Standards. This is a move away from developing a MoU which, during the scoping phase, was anticipated to be burdensome for organisations to manage, if the expectation was that they would need to drawn up individual MoU agreements with service providers. The proposed Standards still retain the same principles underlying a MoU, but offer a more viable way for organisations to commit to sharing information in the interest of patient safety. Most importantly, the measures outlined in the proposed Standards utilise work processes and procedures already in place (e.g. those required to comply with CQC registration) rather than to introduce anything new or introduce any additional burden on organisations. The paper has been circulated for comment to the IHAS/GMC Revalidation group – contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details.
Invitation to attend two NICE stakeholder scoping workshops
IHAS is a registered stakeholder for the following two clinical guidelines and have been offered one place at each workshop to help inform the scope of the guideline.
Clinical guideline: The management of atrial fibrillation (update)
If you would like to attend, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 5 April.
Chronic Kidney Disease (update), 20 April in London
If you would like to attend, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 10 April.
Revised NHS Constitution
The new version of the Constitution, which applies toEngland, replaces the previous version of the Constitution published in 2010. There is also an updated handbook to accompany it. As part of a series of measures intended to highlight the importance of whistleblowing in the NHS, the updated Constitution includes:
- an expectation that staff should raise concerns at the earliest opportunity
- a pledge that NHS organisations should support staff when raising concerns by ensuring their concerns are fully investigated and that there is someone independent, outside of their team, to speak to
- clarity around the existing legal right for staff to raise concerns about safety, malpractice or other wrong doing without suffering any detriment
The NHS Constitution establishes the principles and values of the NHS in England. It sets out rights to which patients, public and staff are entitled, and pledges that the NHS is committed to achieve, together with responsibilities that the public, patients and staff owe to one another to ensure that the NHS operates fairly and effectively. All NHS bodies and private and third sector providers supplying NHS services are required by law to take account of this Constitution in their decisions and actions. Revised NHS Constitution
The Secretary of State also announced the formation of an NHS Future Forum group to advise the Government on its forthcoming report on the Constitution, including the ways it could be strengthened. Read more.
Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) guidance on referrals published
At the end of last month, the Independent Safeguarding Authority published its guidance on referrals, in the form of a 'Resource Centre'. This is available here. If you have any queries regarding this, please would you refer to ISA.
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 - Duty for Keepers of Registers to Refer information to the Independent Safeguarding Authority
The Decision Assistance Tool for Keepers of Registers
The aim of this Tool is to provide Keeper of Records (KORs) with a broad understanding of the ISA assessment process, and therefore to assist KORs in making an informed decision about whether the
duty to refer has arisen. The sections of the Tool reflect the areas the ISA considers as well as specific professional areas. The Tool is designed to give KORs a better understanding of the safeguarding factors the ISA consider in respect of the future risk of harm that an individual may pose in relation to children or vulnerable adults. Read more.
National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) Rapid Response Report: NPSA/2012/RRR001 Harm from flushing of nasogastric tubes before confirmation of placement
This alert was issued on 22 March 2012 to organisations in England via CAS and directly to organisations in Wales.
All organisations in the NHS and independent sector where nasogastric feeding tubes are placed and used for feeding patients should:
1. Assign a named clinical lead to coordinate implementation of the actions
2. Remind all staff responsible for checking initial placement of nasogastric tubes
3. This reminder should be given through distribution, warning notices and policy review:
The deadline for ACTION COMPLETE is no later than 21 September 2012. This RRR should be read in conjunction with the previous Alert Reducing the harm caused by misplaced nasogastric feeding tubes in adults, children and infants. This RRR may also be viewed here.
Laser Working Group and the registration scheme
This group met on 7 March and members agreed to start the launch of the laser registration scheme expected in May 2012, which will operate under the Treatments You Can Trust Quality Mark with its own set of Standards. The outline fees for the scheme were shared for comment with the group. Feedback received from Local Authorities testing the standards not under a special licensing arrangement found the standards it be informative and helpful but a number of aspects meant requirements about the LPA and EMP could not be easily enforced under their regulatory powers. There is still interest from Local Authorities about the scheme and how the standards will be used in the sector. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details.
MHRA updates advice for metal-on-metal hip replacements
The MHRA issued updated advice to surgeons that patients with a particular type of metal-on-metal hip replacement should be monitored annually for the life of the hip replacement. This updates previous advice from April 2010 that patients with this type of hip replacement need only be monitored for a minimum of five years after their operation. MDA/2012/008 requires updated systems be put in place for the follow-up and investigation of patients implanted with MoM hip. A table detailing 4 groups of MoM hip replacements stipulates the follow up required.
Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley and Chief Operating Officer at Monitor, Simon Hay, will address the Laing & Buisson Independent Healthcare Forum 2012, 5 September
This is a key conference in the independent sector’s calendar and IHAS recommends it to all members. High profile speakers will address these topics and more:
- What will the OFT investigation mean for the future of independent healthcare provision?
- Can providers and insurers work together with consultants to grow the market?
- What are the markets to watch in 2013?
- How are the health reforms shaping up and what impact will GP commissioning have on the role of independent providers in NHS services?
Click here for more information or call 020 7841 0045 to book your place.
Cosmetic Surgery / TYCT
Register now for Treatments You Can Trust if your organisation is doing Cosmetic Injectables
Minister of State for Health confirms support for IHAS register of injectable cosmetic providers quality assurance mark – the Minister of State for Health, Anne Milton, confirmed her backing for the IHAS Register of Injectable Cosmetic Providers. Anne Milton said, "The IHAS Register of Injectable Cosmetic Providers has the potential to make a very real difference to the safety and quality of services on offer in this growing industry."
www.treatmentsyoucantrust.co.uk
The new and updated TYCT website is now in use
It is a customer-facing site with greatly improved search facilities for customers/patients to find registered providers and already receiving good feedback from its users. The new site registration system is optimised for easy registration by providers wishing to join the Register. The Registrar, CHKS, will shortly be issuing guidance to providers in the middle of registering. The website provides for Registration of cosmetic injectables providers, and it is intended shortly to include registration for companies offering training courses also. Visitors landing on the old website will be re-directed automatically.
Patient Safety Congress 2012, 28-30 May, Birmingham
The UK’s largest patient safety event is themed – improving safety and efficiency in austere times. The programme covers all aspects of patient safety; clinical risks, systems approaches and human factors, leadership, patient experience, risk management and care pathways. Click here for more information. IHAS members receive a 25% discount – contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ">Sally Taber for discount code.
Laing & Buisson Independent Healthcare Awards 2012, 18 September 2012 at the London Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square
Now in their 7th year, these awards are a key feature in the industry’s calendar. There are 21 categories this year, including Acute Hospital Group, Mental Health Hospital Provider, Medical Practice, Nursing Practice, Management Excellence and Excellence in Training. Building on last year, Laing’s Healthcare 20, which lists the organisations with the most influence, greatest financial clout and best performance will be unveiled at the Gala Dinner. Details on how to cast your vote are available at http://www.laingbuisson.co.uk
The closing date for entries is 16 April 2012. Click here for details of all the award categories and to view the entry criteria. Tickets for the Gala Dinner go on sale at the beginning of June.
Sponsorship opportunities for each of the award categories, as well as further sponsorships related to the Awards Gala Dinner, call 020 7841 0045 to discuss.
House of Commons Health Committee – PIP Breast implants and regulation of cosmetic interventions – Report – HC1816 – released 28 March 2012
The IHAS response to the report is available here and the Report
Department of Health
www.nhs.uk/news/2012/01January/Pages/government-review-advises-on-french-pip-breast-implants.aspx
Read the letter from the Chief Medical Officer: www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/01/pip-breast-implants-letters-to-professionals/
Read the PIP breast implants interim report:www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/01/pip-implants-interim-report/
See the Government's advert about PIP implants: www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/01/advice-on-pip-implants/
Managing Complaints (ISCAS)
Independent Sector Complaints Adjudication Service (ISCAS)
ISCAS Governance Board
The first meeting, chaired by Lady Fiona Hodgson, CBE, took place on 19 March with the initial membership considering the Terms of reference. Key areas to develop through 2012 have been identified and now need to be priorities into a work plan. The membership will be further ratified to increase the patient public representation and reduce the number of provider representatives. The type of “role” needed on the Board will be clarified for the next meeting such as larger corporate hospital provider and a cosmetic provider etc. At the next meeting the Terms of reference will be agreed along with the final membership on 17 May 2012. The Code of Practice will be revised to take account of the new Board and operation. Another aspect was have more data about the types of complaints adjudicated on and share information to learn lessons from cases.
Message from the Adjudicator
Putting things right
Anyone involved in responding to complaints knows that putting things right is not always straightforward. Putting things right for the complainant might mean giving them an apology, explanation or acknowledging responsibility for an error. An often harder, but crucial, step involves taking action to prevent the same thing happening again, and spreading the learning across services.
A good example of this came from The Hospital Group recently. The Group had been swift to apologise to the complainant, but had not indicated any learning as a result of the issues raised by the complaint, or steps to improve service quality. The Adjudicator upheld all aspects of the complaint and asked The Hospital Group to provide the complainant with details of any actions planned as a result.
The Hospital Group responded really positively to this request, with an action plan outlining a number of measurable improvements. These included training sessions with staff to address the outcomes of the complaint, clarifying some processes and auditing compliance against others, and reviewing patient information materials. This is the first time The Hospital Group has shared its action plans to improve services with a complainant.
Making sure that learning from complaints contributes to service improvement, and sharing that learning with complainants, is a fundamental part of putting things right.
ISCAS membership provides:
• access to experienced ISCAS staff and the infrastructure necessary to maintain an up to date ISCAS Model Complaints Policy
• full consultation with DH and Care Quality Commission
• maintain a Stage 3 (externally moderated) complaints management system
• publish industry - standard literature for use by patients
• collect and publish industry wide statistical outcomes
• access to ISCAS exclusively-retained impartial Adjudicators
• costs maintained at realistic levels
Medical Revalidation
Connecting doctors to designated bodies
Asking doctors to confirm their connection
From April the GMC will start to contact around 70,000 doctors who do not feature in the data the GMC have received from the NHS. The GMC will those doctors to confirm their designated body using GMC Online. Doctors will be sent a letter and a leaflet that will help them understand what they have to do. The GMC will have a dedicated team to help doctors with their enquiries, and the telephone number for them to speak to a member of that team will be 0161 923 6277. When the campaign is launched, further information and support for doctors will be available on our website at www.gmc-uk.org/revalidation.
Responsible officers
Once this information is collected from doctors about their connection, the GMC will ask responsible officers to validate the list of doctors that are connected to their organisation using GMC Connect over the summer. This is a secure area of the website that will allow responsible officers to manage their lists of doctors. When revalidation begins, GMC Connect will also allow responsible officers to make revalidation recommendations about their doctors to us.
GMC publishes patient and colleague questionnaires for doctors
The GMC has published final versions of its questionnaires to help employers and doctors collect feedback from patients and colleagues. Patient and colleague feedback is one element of supporting information that the GMC requires doctors to collect and reflect upon as part of revalidation. The questionnaires, based on the GMC’s core guidance Good Medical Practice, have been subject to in depth research.
GMC Revalidation Round-up – Issue 1
GMC has issued the first of its fortnightly Revalidation Round-up’s which will provide an up-to-date and authoritative view of the GMC’s preparations and positions on revalidation moving towards its introduction at the end of 2012. The first issue concentrates on the GMC’s appraisal guidance for revalidation and aims to clarify for responsible officers what action they may need to make in preparing for revalidation. The GMC published its requirements for appraisal and revalidation in April 2011. These are set out in two documents which are available on the GMC website:
1. The Good Medical Practice Framework for Appraisal and Revalidation
2. Supporting Information for Appraisal and Revalidation
The GMC are not planning to make any changes to this Framework or guidance but will be focusing this year on ensuring that responsible officers, doctors and others are familiar with what it is they need to do. Responsible officers should be ensuring that their organisations have an appraisal system in place with Good Medical Practice as its focus, that all of their doctors are undertaking appraisal and can access the information that they need to support that appraisal. Organisations that currently meet all of the GMC requirements will need to make no changes to their appraisal systems.
Independent Sector Employer Guide - GMC & IHAS Publication - Revalidation: The Way Ahead. A Guide for Independent Sector Leaders in England. This important publication is a guide to help leaders of an independent sector organisation to understand the background to medical revalidation and the steps needed to be ready by late 2012. Read the report. Please note the first of the scenarios on page 10 will be removed in subsequent online versions of this guide.
Practising Privilèges – IHAS guidance for developing a policy. This document has been reviewed to bring it up to date with legislative changes and developments that impact on the guidance. The document should be available in April 2012.
ISROC
The major independent sector Employers have set up a Network entitled ISROC, chaired by Dr Sheila Peskett, Medical Director Ramsay Health Care. The aim of this group is to provide professional peer support for Responsible Officers who relate to the RO of NHS London
IHAS has produced, in conjunction with the BMA a Whole Practice Appraisal document. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Sally Taber for a copy.
Workforce
The Skills for Health website site provides access to a wide range of solutions and tools to support skills development within the UK health sector: http://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/
The Centre for Workforce Intelligence (CfWI) is the national authority on workforce planning and development across health and social care. The CfWI website will be the first place to go for up-to-date information for workforce planning in health and social care. Visit cfwi.org.uk
Changes to the Immigration Rules
On 15 March 2012, the UK Border Agency laid a written ministerial statement in Parliament outlining a number of changes to the Immigration Rules. Most of the changes will come into effect on 6 April 2012. Some of the changes to Tier 2 will affect those who were granted leave after 6 April 2011.
The Workforce Advisory Workstream will discuss the implications of the changes at the next meeting.
Delivering the Workforce Agenda in the new health and social care environment: a Conference for independent sector providers – 18 April 2012 in London
See stop press for more details Book here.
Work on national minimum training standards and code of conduct due to begin in April for Healthcare Support Workers
Development of national minimum training standards and a code of conduct for healthcare support workers reporting to registered nurses and midwives and adult social care workers in England is due to begin in April. Kate Witt from Care UK is the sector’s representative.
The Department of Health has commissioned Skills for Health and Skills for Care, in consultation with unions, employers, support workers, regulators and education providers, to produce a final report, including the proposed code and standards, by September 2012.
It is expected that this work will define minimum training or induction standards for a range of ‘core’ health and social care support tasks. More information here
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
The CQC is responsible for registering, reviewing and inspecting services and has powers of enforcement exercisable in response to failures by providers to meet the legal requirements of registration; including failure to register.
Change of approach to regulation and inspection by Care Quality Commission
On 26th March 2012 the CQC confirmed the changes to regulation and inspection procedures which will come into effect for all inspections after 1st April 2012. CQC have produced a guide explaining the changes, in summary these include:
- More frequent inspections – CQC are recruiting extra inspectors and envisage inspecting most hospitals, care homes and domiciliary care providers at least once a year.
- Targeted inspections – CQC inspections will focus on a minimum of 5 standards.
- Provider compliance assessment – inspections will usually be unannounced and therefore CQC will no longer be asking providers to complete a PCA in advance.
- More consistent judgments – CQC will now judge a service simply as either compliant or non-compliant with the regulations. They will no longer request improvement actions unless these refer to minor improvements that could be made.
- Balanced approach – reports will identify non-compliance but will also include a description of what the inspectors have seen, heard and found in order to provide a balanced view of a service.
- Clear and proportionate enforcement – enforcement action will be taken on a proportionate basis. Where a provider is non-compliant, CQC will decide the level of impact on people who use the service and use this to inform them whether to take compliance action or enforcement action. CQC say they will no longer allow extensions to the timescales given to providers to meet the standards. If a provider fails to respond then CQC would usually escalate the action that they take. Where a warning notice to address non-compliance is issued, a summary of this will be published.
CQC announces new regulatory fees for 2012/13
Following two consultations on the fees that it charges to health and social care providers, the CQC has announced changes to its fee structure and the amounts that certain providers have to pay under the Health and Social Care Act 2008. The fees reflect government guidance to CQC that it must recover the costs of regulation from providers. Changes include:
- bringing providers of out-of-hours services, who will be registered from 1 April 2012, into the scheme using the same bandings and fees scale as for “Dental and Independent Ambulance Services” providers,
- reducing the lowest banding for the category “Adult Social Care providers without accommodation” from £1,000 to £720,
- reducing the charges for the third and fourth bandings for the category “Dental and Independent Ambulance Services” providers from £6,000 and £12,000 to £4,000 and £10,000 respectively
- charging a flat rate annual fee of £1500 to certain Primary Care Trusts, and
- changing the basis of charging fees from turnover to locations for the Health Protection Agency, NHS Blood and Transplant and NHS Direct.
Later this year CQC will be launching another consultation about its longer-term fees strategy from 2013/16, which will include specific proposals for fees for 2013/14. These proposals will be for providers of NHS general practice and other primary medical services who will be registered with CQC from 1 April 2013, as well as potential changes to fees for independent healthcare providers. Read more.
Message from Jo Williams and Cynthia Bower - Response to External Scrutiny
The CQC Chair and current Chief Executive have written a response to the Public Accounts Committee report, setting out the action the CQC is taking. It mainly covers whistleblowing, GP registration and information provided to the public. Read more.
CQC’s ‘bank’ of clinical and professional experts
CQC is recruiting specialist advisors from a variety of clinical and professional backgrounds who it can call upon to provide timely, up to date advice to support its inspection and investigations activities. Those recruited will be placed on the CQC bank and called upon when required to provide advice and support. Click here for further details.
Useful links at CQC:
- Fees scheme here
- State of Care Report
- Deprivation of Liberty Standards Report
- Provider Compliance Assessment Tool
- Quality and Risk Profiles
- Regulated Activity Regulations
- Registration Regulations 2009
- Guidance about compliance
- Health and Social Care Act 2008
- CRB Guidance
- Code of Practice on Confidential Personal Information
- Notifications guidance
Healthcare News
NHS chief executive Sir David Nicholson has written to NHS staff about transition arrangements, following the passing of the Health and Social Care Bill.
Sir David sets out the four priorities for the NHS over the next 12 months. These are:
- improving the quality of basic care for older and vulnerable patients
- maintaining a strong grip on performance including waiting times, finance and key quality measures
- meeting the ongoing quality and productivity challenge
- making the transition to the new health and care system
He also sets out the key milestones for: people transition; education and training; information and public health. Sir David then sets out the key milestones for 2012/13 for developing: clinically-led commissioning; provider development (any qualified provider) and empowering patients and communities. The letter concludes with the NHS’s expectations of the various bodies for 2012/13 and then planning for 2013/14 Read this important letter.
New Chief Nursing Officer appointed
Jane Cummings, Chief Nurse of NHS North of
New health maps to drive children’s health improvements
The NHS Atlas of Variation in Healthcare for Children and Young People maps out the variation in healthcare for 25 different child health issues across England, including asthma, epilepsy and diabetes. The Atlas will help hospitals, community services, PCTs and emerging clinical commissioning groups see how their area compares to others around the country, and put plans in place to make improvements if needed. Read more.
Proposed final agreement on reforms to NHS Pension Scheme
The Department of Health has been engaged in detailed discussions with health sector trade unions and employer representatives over the remaining details for the new NHS Pension Scheme. These discussions have concluded and the outcome reflected in a Proposed Final Agreement. This represents the Government’s final position on the design of the new pension scheme. Read more.
NHS Staff Survey results for 2011 published
The published 2011 NHS Staff Survey results include a summary and full survey reports for all trusts along with summary tables showing trust, regional and SHA cluster level results, plus results by staff group and demographic group. Read more.
Local Healthwatch – the policy explained
The DH has published a document to clarify the Government’s vision for local Healthwatch. It sets out their functions, responsibilities, roles and relationships. The intention is for Healthwatch
Emerging patient safety issues from the Patient Safety division of the NPSA - Issue 8 of Signals and transition plans
Following a review of serious incidents reported to the National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS), Issue 8 focuses on:
- Signal 1 – Diagnosis of death after cessation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- Signal 2 – Risk of harm from CPM syndrome following rapid correction of sodium
- Signal 3 – Risk of skin-prep related fire in operating theatres
- Signal 4 – Risk of harm following gastric bypass
- Signal 5 – Recognising and instigating prompt treatment for necrotising fasciitis
- Signal 6 – Prevention of Harm with Buccal Midazolam
- Signal 7 – Patient safety issues related to gastrostomy
Transition plans
The Patient Safety division has now reduced in size in order to implement transition plans leading up to closure later this year. During this period of transition it is essential that organisations continue to report patient safety incidents to the NRLS using current procedures. The responsibility for the work of the Patient Safety division relating to reporting and learning from serious incidents will move to the NHS Commissioning Board. In the interim, the Patient Safety division will continue to monitor incidents leading to severe harm and death, and will continue to share these with the Care Quality Commission. It is still really important that the Patient Safety division learn from providers and share that learning, so please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. contact them with information about your initiatives to reduce risks in any of these featured topics.
Organisation Patient Safety Incidents reports published by NPSA
On 14 March 2012 the NPSA published the seventh release of the Organisation Patient Safety Incident Reports data for NHS organisations in
LPDG (Learning & Professional Development) Bulletin
LPDG produce a useful Risk, Patient Safety & Quality Management update, details of which can be found on their website. Read more. To subscribe, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and type 'subscribe' in the subject line.
NHS – The Quarter - Quarter 3 October to December 2011-12
The Quarter provides the definitive account of how the NHS is performing at a national level against the requirements and indicators set out in the NHS Operating Framework 2011/121.
Of particular interest to IHAS members are:
- The trend in the volume of people being treated in the independent sector (page 38)
- The extent of screening services undertaken by the NHS in this quarter for: VTE (Venous Thromboembolism) risk assessment; breast screening, bowel screening, diabetic retinopothy and cervical screening test results (page 35).
- The list of the National Directors of the NHS Commissioning Board Authority (page 42)
Update from The Kings Fund – The Health & Social Care Act: What next for the NHS?
Now the Bill has cleared its Parliamentary stages, it has been granted Royal Assent and become the Health and Social Care Act. In a post for the LSE British Politics and Policy blog,
British Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (BAPW) statement on preparations for London 2012 Olympics and para-Olympics – London hospitals please note
BAPW are concerned that planned road restrictions during the Olympics could make it impractical and unworkable to provide a twice per day delivery service to hospitals and pharmacies in
Scottish Government Consultation - Mental Health Strategy for Scotland : 2011-15
The consultation on the Mental Health Strategy ran from September 2011 to January 2012.
The Scottish Government has published emerging thoughts which are likely to appear in the strategy as an early indication of how the strategy is developing. This is not a complete list of everything that will appear in the strategy, and it is not an analysis of all the consultation responses. It is intended to give an early update on how the strategy is being developed - read Mental Health Strategy: Emerging Thoughts The final Mental Health Strategy will be published before Summer 2012.
Update from the Centre for Nursing Innovation (FoNS)
FoNS is a registered charity, operates
- Giving nurses and other healthcare practitioners, easy access to information, resources and networking opportunities through our virtual Centre for Nursing Innovation
- Working directly with nurses in practice, helping them to focus on patients, their needs and their care
- Creating access to funding and development opportunities
Read more about the work of FoNS.
General Medical Council (GMC)
Notes and actions from a weekly GMC teleconference for external revalidation communications partners
IHAS participates in a weekly teleconference for external revalidation communications partners and these are the actions from the latest teleconference:
- Final changes are being made to a tool to help doctors find their designated body.
- The GMC 'making connections' campaign will start on 17/04/12. It will target 60-70k doctors first who mainly work outside of the health services of all four countries.
- The GMC Connect system for responsible officers (ROs) and their teams will launch over the summer. This will allow ROs to manage their lists of doctors and make recommendations when revalidation begins.
- GMC is working with the BMA on updating some general FAQs for their members and a specific set for their retired doctors’ forum.
- Blue Rubicon is developing an article for Management in Practice about the role of practice managers in revalidation.
Call for evidence to inform the review of the PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) test, closes 30 April 2012
The GMC has launched a call for written evidence to inform the latest review of the PLAB test. The test is designed to ensure doctors from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) have the knowledge and skills they need to practise medicine in the UK. The call for written evidence is the first part of the review, which will help to ensure the test remains fit for purpose for future candidates. The GMC wishes to hear the views of anyone who has an interest in the arrangements for the admission of non-EEA doctors to the medical register. Read more or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
NMC Chair to step down
Professor Tony Hazell has announced his intention to stand down from the post of NMC Chair, saying that ‘the time is right’ to step down after three years in post. He described his time at the NMC as ‘enormously satisfying’. Professor Judith Ellis MBE has been nominated to succeed as Deputy Chair at the end of March. Presently Executive Dean for Health and Social Care at
Equality and diversity at the NMC, consultation open until 1 June
The NMC is consulting on its draft equality objectives for 2012-2015, which cover: embedding diversity, leadership, governance, staffing and service delivery. Take part in an online survey.
Safeguarding packs available to order
The NMC brought together all its safeguarding resources in a single pack you can order online, containing: a safeguarding DVD, poster set and postcards. Order here.
Triennial review for mentors and practice teachers - reminder
Reminder that if you have been a mentor for three years, you must have your triennial review as laid out in Standards to support learning and assessment in practice. Once your triennial review is completed it must be uploaded on to the local register for mentors and practice teachers. Read more.
Mary Seacole awards open for 2012-2013
The Mary Seacole Awards are now open for applications from nurses, midwives and health visitors in
Health Professions Council (HPC)
Visit the HPC website for the latest news.
NICE Guidance
NICE published the following guidance in March 2012:
- Atrial fibrillation - dabigatran etexilate
- Incisionless otoplasty
- Infection control – further details given below
- Percutaneous venoplasty for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency for multiple sclerosis
- PleurX peritoneal catheter drainage system for vacuum assisted drainage of treatment-resistant recurrent malignant ascites
- Transcatheter aortic valve implantation for aortic stenosis
Clinical Guideline Infection Control CG 139 – published March 2012-03-28
This clinical guideline Infection: prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections in primary and community care updates and replaces NICE clinical guideline 2 (published June 2003). The guideline provides a blueprint for the infection prevention and control precautions that should be applied by everyone involved in the care of patients. To help put this guidance into practice, NICE has produced a costing statement, audit and baseline assessment tools.
NICE Quality Standard for Lung Cancer and the NICE Quality Standard for Hip Fracture published
View the Lung Cancer quality standard and Hip Fracture quality standard.
123 new Quality Standards announced
The latest set of quality standards covering a wide range of topics has been referred to NICE. NICE's quality standards outline the vision of what high-quality care should look like on the NHS, and will form the basis of commissioning decisions taken by the NHS Commissioning Board. To date, there are 15 published quality standards and a further 20 in development. Published quality standards and the list of 123 new quality standards announced.
Clinical Guideline on Venous thromboembolic diseases – out for pre-publication check until 16 April
The guideline is now out for a pre-publication check of factual errors. Instructions for submitting comments and relevant documents.
NICE guidance app for Android and iPhone smartphones
The official NICE Guidance app is available to download now for users of Android and iPhone smartphones. The free app allows quick and easy access to all of NICE's recommendations and advice, and has been developed in response to demand from users of NICE guidance. Read more.
Clinical case scenarios
NICE has developed a number of new clinical case scenarios to help improve and assess users' knowledge of NICE guidance. This month, NICE have case scenarios covering its guidance on adult and paediatric epilepsy, self harm and colorectal cancer. Read more.
NICE Guidelines manual consultation, closes 9 May
NICE has updated for consultation its ‘guidelines manual’, which describes the detailed process and methodology used to produce NICE clinical guidelines. Click here for more details.
Information Technology
The IT Council is concerned about the Registration Authority issues for smart cards. This is being followed up with the Director of Technical Architecture, Department of Health Informatics Architecture.
A workshop with the DH and CfH on NHSmail is to be held on April 23 at the DH – If you are interested in attending please contact
Consultations
CHRE (Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence) consultation on Standards for members of NHS boards and governing bodies in England , closes 10 April
The Standards build on work already done in this area, including by the National Leadership Council, and are consistent with the Nolan Principles on Public Life and other regulatory frameworks. Read more.
Cabinet Office consultation on 'Introducing a Statutory Register of Lobbyists', closes 13 April
The Government believe that a Statutory Register is an important step towards making politics more transparent and accessible. Read more.
Call for evidence to inform the review of the PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) test, closes 30 April 2012
The GMC has launched a call for written evidence to inform the latest review of the PLAB test. The test is designed to ensure doctors from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) have the knowledge and skills they need to practise medicine in the
Law Commissions’ consultation on Health and social care professional regulation, closes 31 May
The Law Commissions of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are seeking views on the regulation of health care professionals in the UK and social workers in England. Read more.
General Medical Council - routes to the medical registers are changing, closes 15 June
The GMC has reviewed the processes for awarding Certificates of Eligibility for Specialist/GP Registration (CESR/CEGPR). Proposals from the review include changes that may have significant implications for doctors and employers. Read more.
DH Chief Executive Bulletins
Rapid review of endoscopy services
This document produced by NHS Improvement aims to share some of the good practice from the rapid review of endoscopy services, so that those sites undertaking their own service improvement initiatives can consider some of the areas that appear to make a difference when focusing on the productivity of the processes we work with. Read more.
First steps towards quality improvement: simple guide to improving services
This publication aimed at all healthcare professionals provides the information, tools, resources and practical examples taken from the NHS Improvement project sites and support needed to guide the first steps towards making quality service improvements and the best possible chance of sustained success. Read more.
Controlled Waste Regulations 2012
The Controlled Waste Regulations 2012 replace and update the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992. They will come into force on 6 April 2012. These 2012 Regulations give local authorities powers to charge for waste disposal from a wider range of non-domestic premises (i.e. hospitals) than the 1992 Regulations allowed.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/811/contents/made
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/local-authorities/controlled-waste-regs/
The Electronic Staff Record (ESR) re-procurement
The Department of Health has set up a project team to undertake the re-procurement of the ESR. NHS leaders have a key role in shaping the requirements to ensure the re-procurement of a sustainable integrated workforce solution from 2014.
Read more here. (Select Re-procurement from the menu)
NHS Continuing Healthcare Introduction of Timescales for Review Process
The Department of Health is introducing timescales which will apply to the review process for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) eligibility decisions from 1 April 2012. Read more.
Transforming end of life care in acute hospitals: The route to success ‘how to’ guide
This document contains practical measures to improve the care acute hospitals provide to dying people. Produced by the National End of Life Care Programme it uses the processes and principles underpinning the Releasing Time to Care – The Productive Ward to help implement the programme’s 2010 document, The route to success in end of life care – achieving quality in acute hospitals. Read more.
Sustainability reporting in the NHS
The Sustainability Reporting Framework, which was available to use on a voluntary basis in 2010/11, is a mandatory part of the annual reporting requirements for 2011/12 onwards. The NHS Manual for Accounts is being updated to reflect this. Read more.
Publication of Organisation Patient Safety Incident data
On 14 March 2012, the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) published the Organisation Patient Safety Incident Report 2011. High levels of incident reporting provide an indication of an increased safety culture within the organisation. Read more.
Energise for Excellence
Chief Nurses across
Good practice in endoscopy services
NHS Improvement has undertaken a rapid review of 14 NHS endoscopy services to understand the challenges faced when planning for increases in demand for services. It also identifies opportunities to increase capacity through productivity. It is hoped the good practice from this review will support other local service improvement initiatives. Read more.
NHS Kidney Care online system helps empower patients
A new report highlights the benefits people with a long-term condition can gain from monitoring and managing their condition online. NHS Kidney Care evaluated the use of renal patient view (RPV), a secure internet-based system that enables people with kidney disease to view their test results online, and to input self-measured data. Patients and health professionals believe RPV helps patients feel more in control of their medical care, and gives them a better understanding of their disease. Read more.
Leading large scale change support programme
The NHS Institute is offering a six-month programme designed to support teams of senior leaders working on transformational strategies to deliver massive change, within an organisation or across a healthcare system. The programme will provide practical help, through a combination of capability development, theoretical insight and team coaching. Read more.
New services to be added to the portfolio of nationally commissioned services
The National Health Service (Functions of Strategic Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts and Administration Arrangements) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012 no. 417) will come into force on 1 April 2012. The Regulations will add eight new services to the list of nationally commissioned services from 1 April 2012. These services will be commissioned at a national level by NHS London. Read more
New GMC website promotes better care for patients with learning disabilities
The GMC has launched a new website to guide doctors treating patients who have a learning disability. This website will increase doctors’ understanding of care of patients with learning disabilities and help to improve their skills in supporting them. Read more
www.gmc-uk.org/learningdisabilities
Conferences
Delivering the Workforce Agenda in the new health and social care environment: a Conference for independent sector providers – 18 April 2012 in London
IHAS has partnered with Laing and Buisson, Skills for Health, NHS Partners and the National Care Forum to present this important seminar specifically for independent providers.
See stop press for more details. Book here.
GovNet Employee Reward and Benefit Conference, 18 April 2012
The conference will advise on how to lead an engaged, motivated and productive workforce. Read more.
Developing clinical senates and networks: commissioning, integration and efficiency, 24 April 2012
This seminar will explore the role of clinical senates and clinical networks in the new NHS landscape following changes outlined in the Health and Social Care Bill. Read more.
Association for Perioperative Practice study events
Medical Devices – Who is responsible when it all goes wrong?
April 28th, Royal Bolton Hospital
Give your career direction
May 10th Manchester Suite, Manchester United F.C
Person Centred Care in the Perioperative Environment
May 19th Park Plaza Belfast International Airport Hotel
PiF (Patient Information Forum) Ann ual Conference – Choice: Valueless without meaningful information, 1 May 2012, in Birmingham
Highlights include: Earl Howe, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department of Health) as Keynote Speaker; workshops on key areas such as using social media and health literacy; and the latest updates on the Information Standard and Information Prescriptions. IHAS is a member of PiF and committed to producing high quality health information. More about the conference.
Driving Cost Reduction, Government Knowledge Conference, 10 May
Topics include: the role of power and influence in supply markets; cost reduction is not a procurement exercise; Cost Reduction Modalities: aggregation, collaboration, category management, outsourcing, review demand, review supply market, negotiation, the "Famous" letter. IHAS members receive a discount, quote ML1603 when booking. Read more.
NICE Ann ual Conference 2012, 15-16th May 2012 at The ICC, Birmingham
The 2012 conference will focus specifically on the future of NICE, where it fits with the current reforms and fostering a better relationship between industry and the NHS. IHAS members can receive the public sector rate. Call 0845 056 8339 and quote H202-IHAS to register. IHAS is officially endorsing this conference. Confirmed speakers include:
- Sir Andrew Dillon, Chief Executive, NICE
- Andrew Lansley, Secretary of State for Health
- Peter Ellingworth, Chief Executive, ABHI
- Dr James Kingsland, National Clinical Lead, NHS Commissioning Community and President, National Association of Primary Care (NAPC)
- Danny Keenan, Chair, Commissioning Outcomes Framework Committee
Radcliffes LeBrasseur Learning Disability and the Law Conference, 23 May 2012
Topics include: Assessment of capacity and the interaction of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of
Patient Safety Congress 2012, 28-30 May, Birmingham
The UK’s largest patient safety event is themed – improving safety and efficiency in austere times. The programme covers all aspects of patient safety; clinical risks, systems approaches and human factors, leadership, patient experience, risk management and care pathways. IHAS will have an exhibition and the conference and IHAS members receive a 25% discount – contact
NHS reforms: Developing the healthcare workforce - challenges, revalidation and managing the transition, Westminster Health Forum Conference, 7 June
Clinical Commissioning Groups: The changing face of primary care and the role of the GP, 13 June
The Future of Health Services in Wales , 25 June, Cardiff
This will be a key conference for WIHA members in light of the recently published Together for Health and has speakers from the National Assembly for
Dentistry 2012 – Quality, access and regulation, 12 July
This conference will assess the impact of the dental pilot on the industry and the dental contract.
Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley and Chief Operating Officer at Monitor, Simon Hay, will address the Laing & Buisson Independent Healthcare Forum 2012, 5 September
This is a key conference in the independent sector’s calendar and IHAS recommends it to all members. High profile speakers will address these topics and more:
- What will the OFT investigation mean for the future of independent healthcare provision?
- Can providers and insurers work together with consultants to grow the market?
- What are the markets to watch in 2013?
- How are the health reforms shaping up Click here for more information The Future of Regulation in Health and Social Care, 13 September
There will be keynote presentations from Monitor and the CQC and discussion on structural reforms and quality and safety. More about the conference.
Laing & Buisson Independent Healthcare Awards 2012, 18 September 2012
Now in their 7th year, these awards are a key feature in the industry’s calendar. There are 21 categories this year. More about the event.
NHS Informatics: Delivering a successful information revolution, 19 September at the Barbican, London
Healthcare Estates 2012 – Exhibition and Conference, 9-10 October, Manchester
This event is already 50% full, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to book a stand.
Coming up next month
- Meeting with the
- IHAS/GMC Medical Revalidation Board meets with the Employer Liaison Officer
- Working with the Local Education and Training Boards
- Perioperative Care Collaborative meets to take the agenda forward
- CQC Provider Stakeholder Group
- National Information Governance Board
- Treatments You Can Trust new fees structure
- National Quality Board
- The European standard for cosmetic surgery – update on consultation submission.
- Monitor
Please ensure that this 'Update' is widely circulated within your organisations.
Sally, Andrew, Lene and Nigel
Tel: 020 7379 8598 or 020 7379 7721
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.