IHAS Update
May 2012
News, views and snippets from the dynamic world of health care.
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IHAS Update May 2012 (519.38 kB)
Stop Press
Department of Health Red Tape challenge: Business Champions
Minister of State for Health, Simon Burns MP, has asked IHAS to pull together suggestions from the Independent acute healthcare sector for the reduction of Red Tape. He has chosen IHAS because its Membership extends so widely across the independent healthcare sector.
He writes: “Reducing the burden of unnecessary Regulation is a key principle for the Coalition Government. The Department of Health has initiated a fundamental review of the regulations that impact business, civil society organizations or the citizen. Strong and constructive business engagement from the start is vital to the success of this exercise. We want to understand from the business perspective what is no longer fit for purpose, or could be improved or streamlined to help business without affecting the essential protections in place for the vulnerable and the public.”
In the March 2012 IHAS Update IHAS Director Sally Taber extended the questions into specifics for you to consider:
IHAS is in no doubt that Members are irked by unnecessary regulations. A survey will be sent to you shortly in order to obtain your views.
IHAS Specific News
Membership Survey on the IHAS Update
In order to produce the best possible product for Members, IHAS would like your feedback about the Update. We would like to know which sections you find most useful and how you use the information. Your feedback will help to shape a better Update and we will report on members' views next month. There are only seven questions and it should take you no longer than 5-7 minutes to complete. Thank you for your comments.
Please participate in the IHAS Update survey.
New-look IHAS Website
IHAS are pleased to announce that our website is currently being refreshed and updated to ensure it can be more easily navigated and will be re-launched in the next couple of months. The new site will have:
- Members only sections
- better listing of IHAS, ISCAS, WIHA and SIHA members.
- a separated and expanded ISCAS section and ISCAS email addresses
- a more active workstreams section with meeting dates, action notes, publications and news being regularly updated for working groups.
- a healthcare calendar section for IHAS events and broader healthcare conferences and meetings.
if you have any views on what you would like to see on the new IHAS website, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Working with the Local Education and Training Boards – Feedback from the IHAS Delivering the Workforce Agenda Conference on 18 April
The key points to emerge from the top DH, Centre for Workforce Intelligence (CfWI), NHS Midlands & East Workforce Leads and Skills for Health speakers at the conference were as follows:
LETBs will need to provide evidence that they are engaging with the independent sector. Such engagement is a challenge but should improve with time.
Employers will be given greater scope and responsibility to plan and develop their workforce while being professionally informed and underpinned by strong academic links. Workforce planning needs to include the whole workforce, not just the clinical workforce and the independent sector has a good record of doing that.
LETBs need to represent all providers of NHS-funded services. However, the DH speaker stated that they should represent all healthcare providers, including all independent providers.
The NHS contracts will include a clause that providers have a duty to co-operate in the planning and delivery of education and provide workforce planning information.
A whole system approach
The use of horizon scanning is the most likely model to be utilised in predicting how things will look in 15 years. A new approach for using horizon scanning in workforce planning has four elements: scenario generation; scanning; workforce intelligence and modelling. A tool to assist organisations using horizon scanning as part of their planning process is being developed and will be available from CfWI.
Any advice that CfWI issues to assist the modelling of the workforce needs to include independent sector workforce figures and plans. The CfWI already has Memoranda of Understandings in place with dentists and pharmacists to supply them with data which has a guarantee of anonymity.
CfWI has asked that IHAS to collate information from IHAS employers of the three main things that concern them about the future of the workforce in the independent sector. IHAS members are asked to send this list to Lene Gurney by 17 May 2012
Provider led education and planning
Each LETB will operate differently as the needs of the individual area providers are the drivers for the way in which they will operate. There must be a link between service planning and workforce planning, and it is important that the direction of travel across all sectors is taken into account.
One of the NHS Future Forum key recommendations in the Second Phase Report was that integration is central to improving care. There has been a great deal of talk about integrated care but it has to happen now. The independent sector is a key player in this and all independent healthcare providers were advised to find out what is going on in their areas by using existing networks.
Progress of the Skills Passport for Health and Statutory and Mandatory Skills Frame
The Skills Passport is a portable, online record of an individual’s career history, current skills and training. The information in a Skills Passport can be independently verified and includes an individual’s education, qualifications, competencies, employment history, training record and objectives. It is accessible securely via the internet at anytime, from anywhere.
The timeline: 2012 is the development year and 2013 is rollout year
The Statutory and Mandatory Skills Framework is the creation of one common framework with 10 core subject areas: Fire Safety, Moving and Handling, Conflict resolution, Equality, Diversity and Human Rights, Resuscitation, Health, safety and security, Infection prevention and control, Safeguarding Children, Safeguarding vulnerable adults and Information Governance.
Introduction of the Skills for Health’s forthcoming first review of the current and future skills needs specifically of the UK’s independent health sector - ‘Review of Independent Health sector Employment and Skills 2011’ Which compare findings in the independent sector with the public sector. The definition of the Independent Sector includes all non-NHS services i.e. healthcare services provided by private and voluntary or charitable organisations. The report will be published in the summer.
IHAS / GMC Medical Revalidation Board meets with the Employer Liaison Officer
Dr Surandra Deo presented on the recently formulated Employer Liaison Service which had been established following the GMC Affiliate pilot which had taken place in North London and North Yorkshire. He described the structure that the role is to:
- Support and Guide RO’s
- To provide a one stop shop to the GMC which includes advice on Fitness to Practice.
- All Employer Liaison Officers in post and have had training. Backgrounds include Medical, Senior Executive NHS and Lay.
- London has 3 – one of which is Dr Deo who also takes the lead for the Independent sector.
- The lead for the independent sector outside London is currently being discussed – currently Dr Deo can be contacted.
- The separation of the Adjudication and Tribunal Service.
Monitor: summarising the key themes of responses to the draft licence conditions consultation
This document comes ahead of the statutory consultation which will start later this year. The document lists the various concerns raised in themes and gives Monitor’s response to each concern raised. Read the summary of feedback document
What happens next?
For further information, Ridouts Solicitors have published a useful summary and analysis article on Monitor’s new licencing regime, which includes implications for independent providers. Read more.
Monitor Consultation - A methodology for approving local modifications to the national tariff, closes 1 June
Under the future regime set out by the Act, Monitor will work together with the NHS Commissioning Board to produce national prices for services. There could be some cases where providers face costs which are unavoidably higher than the level reimbursed through national prices, even when the service is efficiently provided. It is important to ensure that high quality, efficiently provided services that patients and commissioners value can remain financially viable. The local modifications regime should provide a consistent and transparent method for Monitor to ensure that such services remain viable, without rewarding low quality or inefficiency. Read the consultation document.
Tribute to Baroness Ritchie
Baroness Ritchie who chaired the Treatments You Can Trust Governance Board has sadly died. IHAS pays tribute to a remarkable person and who it was a pleasure to know through our work. She has been a great supporter of “Treatments You Can Trust” and will be truly missed. Sally Taber had the opportunity of thanking her for being an excellent chair and for hosting such an excellent parliamentary reception in January. Baroness Ritchie also supported the 300 Group, which aims to get more women into politics and public life, before setting up Women2Win in 2005, and then joining the House of Lords in 2010.
IHAS members invited to contribute to the first National Data Quality report
This project commissioned by the National Quality Board will be the first comprehensive national study of data quality within the health and social care system in
MHRA Medical Device Alert: Dermal filler for breast augmentation Macrolane™ Volume Restoration Factor (VRF) manufactured byQ-Med AB (a Galderma division) (MDA/2012/022)
Problem: Use of Macrolane VRF20 and Macrolane VRF30 for breast augmentation can make diagnosis of breast cancer more difficult, particularly with the use of mammography. The MHRA has been made aware of a Dear Doctor letter issued in April 2012 to clinicians by Q-Med about the use of Macrolane recommending that it is not used for injection into breasts because it can make diagnosis of breast cancer more difficult, particularly during mammography. The manufacturer has stated:
‘Macrolane is detectable in mammography, ultrasound examination and MRI examination of the breasts
There is no association with cancer and no safety concerns have been identified for this product. The product remains on the market for use elsewhere in the body. The manufacturer plans to issue updated instructions for use in due course with updated indications for Macrolane use.
Action: Do not use Macrolane for breast augmentation. Action complete by 14 May 2012
- Read the full MHRA Medical Device Alert
- Read the Q-Med update on the use of Macrolane™
- Breast diagnostics and Macrolane
Practising Privileges
The IHAS Practising Privileges Guidance is now available, dated April 2012, having been reviewed to reflect legislative changes, developments in practice and following consultation with the IHAS/GMC Revalidation Working Group. The guidance can be found on the IHAS website under the Codes of Practice section.
Report back from the PbR (Payment by Results) External Advisory Group - March 2012 meeting
Tom Fellows, NHS Contract Compliance Manager at Nuffield Health represented IHAS at this meeting and has provided the following summary, which will be of particular interest to IHAS members:
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- Development of Rehabilitation, Recovery and Reablement Tariffs, building on the new Post op Rehabilitation Tariffs introduced this year
- An analysis is being undertaken on Cherry Picking – no details of this were available at the time and presume it will fall under the Technical Working Group (TWG) to assess further (John Shepherd, Ramsey represents on this group).
- Raised the question here about how it could be applied to IS providers – the response was that any implementation of Cherry Picking is likely to be soft, delivered through changes to the Guidance rather than development of New HRGs or Tariffs
- Mental Health Tariffs are unlikely to be introduced for 2013/14
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- The incentivisation of daycase procedures has been deemed a success by the British Association of daycase surgeons (BADS) and will be extended to incentivise procedures to be conducted in an outpatient setting, as well as those in a daycase setting.
- This would only work if produced in conjunction with a clearer definition on Outpatient Procedures; a new briefing on this matter from the EAG (Improving Data Definitions and their use) which does seek to provide more clarity on this matter than is currently available on the DH ‘FAQ’ site
- Development of ‘Quality’ measures within Best Practice Tariffs may lead to an incentivised Tariff based on data quality levers on contracts, appropriate accreditation (e.g. JAG for Endoscopy)
- National Clinical Audits were also discussed though these would be very challenging to put in place in an equitable manner across the country
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- The group were reminded that it is possible to agree a local ‘Innovation Payment’ where applicable
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- Significant concerns were raised from the group that unbundling of Diagnostic tariffs, as previously attempted in 2009/10 might create a financial ‘shock’ across the NHS, which must be avoided
- It was maintained that the current process is not adequately compensating providers for the costs they are incurring as the ‘averaging’ approach to calculating Tariff is not complex enough
- Direct Access Diagnostics and onward referrals to the same hospital were also discussed with respect to the possibility of double-charging for the Diagnostic (as a DAD and also as a part of the ‘bundled’ Consultation fee. It was decided that this is acceptable at the moment in the interest of keeping the process simple and incentivising the development of DAD services
- Further work will be done by the TWG on this matter.
Independent sector response to the Competition Commission (CC) announcement to refer the sector to the Competition Panel
A number of the large providers and private insurers have welcomed the referral as an opportunity to investigate complex issues in the sector and address issues of informed choice, value for money, lack of competition and inefficiency. The CC is required to report by 3 April 2014, although it will aim to complete the investigation in a shorter period. The CC will shortly appoint members to its Inquiry Group and publish a timetable setting out a schedule for the various stages of the investigation. Read more.
News from the OFT (Office of Fair Trading)
The Government has announced plans to create a new Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) as of 2014, combining many of the functions of the OFT and the Competition Commission. Read more.
IHAS responding to the DH consultation on Responsible Officer Regulations, closes 25 July
This is a key consultation for IHAS members and IHAS has already held a meeting with members to discuss our response. Key points from the meeting include:
- The consultation has a chapter on designating further bodies and language testing.
- The designation of further bodies in particular is para 4.5 and 4.6 on page 19 and includes the criteria of systems for appraisal, oversight of complaints and concerns, information handling and access to training.
- IHAS members have given their support to Cape Medical Services, NES and RMO International to become designated bodies.
- A first meeting has taken place between the British Association of Cosmetic Doctors (now called the British College of Aesthetic Medicine) and the Revalidation Support Team.
- Another meeting will be held before 25 July; to consolidate the IHAS response and Michael Wright, DH and Lucy Warner, Revalidation Support Team will be invited to the meeting.
Read Responsible Officers in the new Health Architecture
Language checks for doctors
Foreign doctors must prove they can speak English before they can practise in
The Queen’s Speech – 9 May
At the time of writing the Update, the Bills thought likely to be included are:
Appointment of new Bupa Group Medical Director – Dr Paul Zollinger-Read
Paul joins Bupa from NHS Midlands and East Strategic Health Authority, where he was Director of Commissioning Development. Paul replaces Dr Andrew Vallance-Owen, who is retiring after 17 years as Bupa’s Group Medical Director. Paul starts on 1 July and, until then, Dr Sneh Khemka (currently medical director of Bupa International), will cover the transition period.
Laser Working Group and the registration scheme
The laser registration scheme will operate under the Treatments You Can Trust Quality Mark with its own set of Standards – now available. The e fees for the scheme have been agreed and the website is ready once the launch date is released. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details.
Treatments You Can Trust new fees structure
In order to continue improving standards within the cosmetic injectable industry the new fee structure reflects feedback from within the industry including both individual providers and organisations. The register is here to stay and reduced fee rates are now available for those committing to registering with www.TreatmentsYouCanTrust. It is not essential to be registered with the Care Quality Commission to join if you are it means a faster registration process since much is common to both. Read more about the new fees
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
Patient Safety Congress 2012, 28-30 May, Birmingham
The
IHAS members receive a 25% discount – contact Sally Taber for the discount code.
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.
Managing Complaints (ISCAS)
Independent Sector Complaints Adjudication Service (ISCAS)
Judicial Review application made in December 2011
ISCAS faced a Judicial Review in December 2011 when a complainant, dissatisfied with the outcome of the Stage 3 Adjudication, launched an application for Judicial Review against ISCAS.
The
1. ISCAS provides a private service (and not a public service) for the benefit of complainants and its member organisations.
2. This was a private arrangement between ISCAS, the complainant and the member organisation. As such ISCAS was not carrying out a “public function” and therefore the complainant could not seek a public law remedy in the
3. The Court clearly stated that even if the case was amenable to Judicial Review (which it ruled it was not) the complainant’s grounds for complaint did not disclose any arguable basis for bringing a claim for Judicial Review. In other words the Court did not accept the suggestion that the ISCAS process had not been carried out properly.
4. Furthermore the Court rules that there was no breach of human rights as alleged by the complainant or at all.
ISCAS Governance Board
The next meeting will take place on 17 March 2012. A review process of the Code has started by a small working group which is the beginning of the review of the ISCAS documentation.
Message from the Adjudicator
The adjudicator’s message will recommence next month.
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.
Revalidation
The NHS Revalidation Support Team (RST) has published its most up to date documents supporting revalidation and appraisal.
All these are key documents for anyone involved with medical revalidation to access and study.
- Medical Appraisal Guide
- Model Appraisal Form
- Consolidated information management guidance
- Quality assurance and medical appraiser's guidance
- RO Guidance on responding to concerns
Revalidation: connecting doctors to designated bodies
In April the GMC started to contact around 70,000 doctors who do not feature in the data the GMC have received from the NHS. The GMC will contact those doctors to confirm their designated body using GMC Online. Doctors will be senta letter anda leaflet that will help them understand what they have to do. Doctors do not need to do anything until they receive their GMC information pack through the post. The GMC has a dedicated team to help doctors with their enquiries, and the telephone number for them to speak to a member of that team is 0161 923 6277. Further information and support for doctors is available 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 them.
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.
GMC Revalidation Round-up
GMC has issued the fourth of its Revalidation Round-up’s. These publications 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 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.
Arrangements for doctors during the implementation phase
The GMC wants doctors and responsible officers to be clear about how doctors will meet the requirements of revalidation during the implementation period, which will run for a number of years from the end of 2012.
The GMC have already agreed that revalidation for doctors will be based on them:
- having a regular appraisal based on Good Medical Practice;
- collecting supporting information to demonstrate how they are continuing to meet the values and principles of Good Medical Practice in their everyday practice.
The GMC have worked with the four health departments to agree the minimum requirements that a doctor must meet before a responsible officer (RO) can make a recommendation to revalidate. This will ensure all doctors are revalidated on a consistent basis, regardless of where they practise or the nature of their practice.
ROs can use this readiness statement (soon to be published on the GMC website) to support their doctors in meeting these minimum requirements, and to begin planning how revalidation will be rolled out across their population of doctors. The GMC will work with ROs over the summer to confirm the list of doctors who have a prescribed connection to their organisation and to develop schedules for making their recommendations. The readiness statement says that, as a minimum, doctors:
- must be participating in an annual appraisal process
- must have completed at least one appraisal with Good Medical Practice as its focus (see above)
- must have collected and reflected on all six types of Supporting Information (see above)
- can bring team-based information to their appraisal, as long as they've reflected on what the information means for their individual practice
- can use evidence of patient and colleague feedback obtained up to five years before a revalidation recommendation is made, as long as it's relevant to the doctor's current scope of practice
- can use feedback that doesn't fully meet GMC criteria as long as it's focused on the doctor, their practice and the quality of care delivered to patients. The feedback must also have been gathered in a way that 'promotes objectivity'.
Independent Sector Employer Guide - GMC & IHAS Publication - Revalidation: The Way Ahead. A Guide for Independent Sector Leaders in
Practising Privileges – IHAS guidance for developing a policy. This document is available to IHAS members via our website.
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 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/
Feedback from the IHAS Delivering the Workforce Agenda Conference on 18 is in the main IHAS section
Report from an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) meeting on the impact of migration on SMEs
Hannah Fullbrook, Human Resource Officer at the London Clinic has provided the following report:
- UKBA (UK Border Agency)/Home Office Bureaucracy discourages SMEs (Small & Medium Enterprises) from recruiting migrant workers and the UK Border Agency website is too complex and convoluted.
- The UKBA Premium Scheme which came into force on 6 April at a cost of £25,000 is likely to discriminate against SMEs, with large organisations receiving preferential treatment.
- The
Home Office Statement of Changes to immigration rules from 14 June 2012
The Home Office has issued a ‘Statement of changes in Immigration Rules’ and a ‘Statement of Intent and Transitional measures: Tier 2 of the points Based System’ which is an updated immigration position as regards TIER 2 (overseas nurse) employees. As of June 14
the acceptable skill level for this group will increase from NQF Level 4 to NQF Level 6. Please contact Lene Gurney with your views. Statement of changes and Statement of Intent and Transitional measures
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
CQC regulatory approach
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. Read more.
CQC announces new regulatory fees
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.
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
Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) and cover for independent sector providers
An update to the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) cover for independent sector providers in 2012-13. All standard acute contracts in place with independent sector (IS) providers with an expiry date of 31 March 2012 must be extended and the revised expiry date will be 30 June 2012.
The expiry of some contracts with the independent sector at the end of March would mean that the interim indemnity for 2011 no longer applied. Agreement has not been reached on a revised form of indemnity for 2012 to cover acute services. An extension to the temporary measures put in place to enable continuity of services where NHS patients can continue to be referred and treated by the IS, with CNST cover remain in place. Read more here
Prime minister issues a call to action for frontline nurses
David Cameron has called on nurses across the country to search out best practice and share it across the NHS. Speaking at the first meeting of the Nursing and Care Quality Forum, the prime minister and health secretary Andrew Lansley outlined the push to free up nurses to provide the care patients and relatives expect. Read more.
Nursing and Care Quality Forum meets to improve care
The forum is made up of frontline nurses, patient representatives and medical experts, and was created to address concerns about dignity and respect for patients, particularly the elderly. Last year, the Care Quality Commission found that a fifth of NHS hospitals were breaking the law on care for the elderly, whilst 40% did not offer dignified care. The Prime Minister has asked the forum to research ways of ensuring nurses have the time to provide proper care and use patient feedback to improve services, as well as to ‘restore a sense of pride’ in the profession.
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) Change from 6 April 2012
As of 6 April 2012, RIDDOR’s over-three-day injury reporting requirement has changed. The trigger point has increased from over three days to over seven days incapacitation (not counting the day on which the accident happened). Incapacitation means that the worker is absent or is unable to do work that they would reasonably be expected to do as part of their normal work.
Employers and others with responsibilities under RIDDOR must still keep a record of all over-three day-injuries – if the employer has to keep an accident book, then this record will be enough.
The deadline by which the over-seven-day injury must be reported has increased to fifteen days from the day of the accident. Read more.
Health Secretary explains the new Health and Social Care Act
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has set out what the Health and Social Care Act will mean for four key health and care organisations and their staff – Clinical Commissioning Groups, NHS Foundation Trusts, NHS Trusts and Local Authorities. He explains there are two simple principles at the heart of the act – that patients should share in every decision about their care and that those responsible for patient care should have the ‘freedom and power to lead an NHS that delivers continually improving care’. Read more.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has set out the government’s strategic objectives for the NHS Commissioning Board Authority
The Department of Health will hold the authority to account for its performance against four strategic objectives, relating to: transferring power to local organisations; establishing the commissioning landscape; developing specific commissioning and financial management capabilities; and developing excellent relationships. Read more .
A series of guides giving practical advice to CCGs about the value of patient and public engagement is published.
The first four in a series of 10 Smart Guides to Engagement cover the social and economic benefits, dealing with LINks and local HealthWatch, and the role of lay members and patient representatives on CCG boards. The guides have been co-produced by PPE experts from several organisations with support from the Department of Health. Domain 2 of the CCG authorisation process requires evidence of ‘meaningful engagement with patients, carers and communities’. The guides are available to download from NHS Networks. Read the four guides.
Duncan Selbie confirmed as Chief Executive Designate of Public Health England
Mr Selbie, currently Chief Executive of Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, will head up Public Health England (PHE), the new public health body that will be the expert voice for public health, when it is established in April 2013. It will support local health services, protect the nation’s health through better-integrated working, and help the public make healthier choices. Read more.
Sir Peter Carr confirmed as Chair of NHS Trust Development Authority (NTDA)
Sir Peter, currently Vice Chair NHS North of
Sir Keith Pearson confirmed as Chair of Health Education England
Sir Keith Pearson has been confirmed as Chair of Health Education England (HEE). Sir Keith, currently Chair of the NHS Confederation, will head up Health Education England, the organisation that will provide national leadership to the new system of education and training in healthcare, when it is established in June 2012. Read more.
Compliance framework 2012/13
This framework sets out the approach that Monitor is taking in 2012/13 to assess the compliance of foundation trusts with their terms of authorisation and to intervene where necessary. As the Health and Social Care Bill has now gained royal assent to become the Health and Social Care Act (2012), this framework will apply until the commencement of Monitor's new licensing regime. Read more.
Nurse and pharmacist independent prescribing changes announced
Changes to misuse of drugs regulations mean that appropriately qualified nurses and pharmacists will now be able to prescribe controlled drugs like morphine, diamorphine and prescription strength co-codamol. The changes relating to prescribing and mixing of controlled drugs by nurse and pharmacist independent prescribers also apply to midwives who are registered as nurse independent prescribers. The changes came into force on 23 April 2012. Read more.
April edition of Chief Nursing Officer Bulletin is now available.
Read Christine Beasley’s farewell Voicepiece, discover how the Nursing and Quality Care Forum plans to share best practice across the NHS and celebrate the best in nursing at home and abroad on International Nurses Day, 12 May 2012. Read the Bulletin.
DH Guidance on influenza pandemic preparedness and response published
Operational guidance on the implementation of the UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy 2011 is published. The guidance for health and social care workers, is intended to support local preparedness and response planning in
- develop improved plans for the initial response to a new pandemic
- ensure a response that is proportionate to a range of scenarios
- allow for differences in the rate and pattern of spread of the disease across the country and internationally
- develop improved plans for managing the end of an influenza pandemic.
LINks to be abolished and replaced by Local Healthwatch by April 1st 2013
Local HealthWatch (LHW) will be set up as local champions of the public – patients, carers and service users – for all NHS health and all social care services (adults and children), wherever they are provided. There will be a LHW for each Local Authority area with social services responsibility. Local HealthWatch will not be a statutory body, but will retain all the statutory involvement, engagement, monitoring and influencing roles that LINks have at the moment – and will have a major role in influencing the commissioning of health and social care services. Read more.
HealthWatch England (launching in October 2012) will work with LHW’s and is being established as a statutory committee of the Care Quality Commission to act as the national consumer champion for people, families and carers who use health and social care services. Read more.
New major trauma centres to save up to 600 lives every year
A network of 22 new centres specialising in treating patients who suffer from major trauma will open across
Investing in emotional and psychological wellbeing for patients with long-term conditions – NHS Confederation report
For many patients, several physical illnesses will coexist at any one time, and for some a mental health disorder will also be present. In the face of such multi-morbidity and need, focus on the patient journey across the lifespan and across the care system will maximise effective service design and delivery. Read more.
Strengthening The Commitment: The Report of theUK Modernising Learning Disabilities Nursing Review
The report aims to ensure that people with learning disabilities of all ages have access to expert Learning Disabilities Nurses and that their families and carers get the best support and care. It also seeks to make best use of Learning Disabilities Nurses throughout the entire health and social care system and improve the career image of learning disabilities nursing as a whole. Read the report.
IOSH accredited Managing Safely, May 2012, inLondon , 4 day course over 2 week period
Delegates interested in working for the qualification should contact LPDG who offer the course, tailored for clinical and non-clinical managers working in the health and social care sector.
Week 1: Wednesday 23 & Thursday 24 May then Week 2: Wednesday 30 & Thursday 31 May 2012 Read more.
Kings Fund asks, ‘Are we expecting too much from the CQC?’
Anna Dixon at the Kings Fund has written a thought-provoking blog asking the above question and pointing out the challenges faced by the CQC since its inception. She also argues that it is impossible to expect a regulator to prevent the incidence of poor quality care and yet it often appears it is the first to be blamed. Read Anna Dixon's blog.
General Medical Council (GMC)
New short guidance from the GMC, closes 13 June
A recent review of Good Medical Practice, the GMC’s core guidance for doctors, revealed a number of areas where further explanatory guidance would be helpful. New drafts include Financial and commercial arrangements and conflicts of interest, Taking up and ending appointments and Doctors’ use of social media. Read more.
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Changing priorities at the NMC
Following the CHRE review of the NMC, the Council is clear that its primary focus must be on core regulatory activities, and especially dealing with the long standing issues of fitness to practise. The challenges in this area are growing, with a 52 percent increase in referrals over the past two years, increasing costs and limited financial resources. Allocating additional funds to fitness to practise has necessitated some difficult decisions and fundamental changes to how the organisation operates, including reassessing a wide range of existing activities. As a result of Council’s decisions, there will be significant changes in a number of areas.
Continuing with revalidation
Ensuring that nurses and midwives continue to be fit to practise throughout their careers remains an important priority and we are therefore continuing our project to develop a revalidation process for nurses and midwives.
Changing the way we develop standards
We are fundamentally reviewing the purpose of our standards and guidance, to help ensure they are in line with the principles of right touch regulation. In view of that decision, a number of existing policy and standards development projects will not be going ahead.
Reviewing the purpose of advice
We receive a large number of incoming queries by email and phone asking for professional advice. We have in the past run a professional advice service. We now consider that answering questions of a professional nature is not a core regulatory function, and we will be withdrawing this service over the coming months.
All the changes being introduced are designed to ensure the NMC’s focus is wholly on public protection. It is clear that the NMC will be a very different organisation going forward and putting the needs of patients, not professionals, first.
CHRE's interim report on the Strategic Review of the NMC
NMC response to the CHRE's Review
NMC contributes to PM's challenge
The Prime Minister has issued a call to action for frontline nurses across the country to search out best practice and share it across the NHS. Rita Newland, NMC Director of Education, is a member of the Nursing and Care Quality Forum and at the first meeting, the forum discussed a range of measures, including encouraging the right culture and values, listening and responding to patient feedback, and promoting accountable nurse leaders in the NHS.
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.
Health Professions Council (HPC)
Six consultations on profession-specific standards of proficiency, all close 27 July
HPC have launched profession-specific standards of proficiency for art therapists, dietitians, occupational therapists, orthoptists, physiotherapists and radiographers.
The standards of proficiency explain the key obligations that the HPC expects of registered health professionals. They contain generic standards that apply to all registrants, and profession-specific standards that set out the different requirements for specific professions. HPC have already revised and restructured the generic standards. Under the new structure, most of the standards of proficiency will be profession-specific, listed under 15 new generic standards. Link to the six consultations
HPC In Focus
Issue 40 is now available on the website. Link to the newsletter.
NICE Guidance
NICE published the following guidance in April 2012:
- Breast cancer (advanced) - eribulin
- Endoscopic balloon dilatation for subglottic or tracheal stenosis
- Focal therapy using cryoablation for localised stage prostate cancer
- Hepatitis C (genotype 1) - boceprevir
- Leukaemia (chronic myeloid, first line) - dasatinib, nilotinib and standard-dose imatinib
- Micropressure therapy for refractory Ménière's disease
- Multiple sclerosis (relapsing-remitting) - fingolimod
Invitation to attend a NICE Joint Diabetes scoping workshop, 28 May
IHAS is a registered stakeholder for this clinical guideline and has been offered one place to help inform the scope of the guideline. The workshop will cover: Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and diabetes in children. If you would like to attend, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ">Lene Gurney by 21 May 2012.
Information Technology
National Information Governance Board (NIGB) May 2012 Newsletter
The Newsletter covers details of Information Governance (IG) Collaborative Workshops 2012, an IG review and the NIGB transition programme. Read more.
ISMS Standards Update from the Information Standards Board for Health & Social Care
This is a summary of recent publications of relevance to the health informatics standards community. The content covers general NHS and social care developments, international activity, standards and journal articles. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a copy.
Consultations
Law Commissions’ consultation on Health and social care professional regulation, closes 31 May
The Law Commissions of England and
GMC - routes to the medical registers are changing, closes 15 June
The General Medical Council 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.
CHRE (Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence) Consultation on Accreditation standards for organisations that hold voluntary registers for health and social care occupations, closes 10 July
From November 2012 the CHRE will set standards for organisations that hold voluntary registers for people working in health and social care occupations and will accredit the register if they meet those standards. The accreditation scheme will be launched in November 2012. CHRE have been working with the DH team who are developing the Any Qualified Provider (AQP) database to ensure that AQPs must use health professionals on an accredited register. IHAS will be responding to this important consultation as it directly affects the Treatments you can Trust register.
Read the Accreditation Standards for Voluntary Registers Consultation
The Scottish Government-Integration of Adult Health and Social Care, closes 31 July
The consultation sets out proposals to inform and change the way that the NHS and Local Authorities work together and in partnership with the third and independent sectors. Proposals include changes to how adult health and social care services are planned and delivered, aiming towards a seamless experience from the perspective of the patient, service user or carer. It also outlines improvements to integrating health and social care services which are not limited to older people, but extend to all adult health and social care services. A partial business regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) has been incorporated within the document. The Scottish Government welcomes feedback on the impact that the proposals may have on businesses.
Read the Integration of Adult Health and Social Care consultation
DH Chief Executive Bulletins
Guidance on new national CQUIN goals
Two new national Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) goals, on dementia and on the use of the NHS safety thermometer, have been introduced for use in 2012/13. This guidance is designed to assist commissioners and providers when including CQUINs in contracts. Read more.
Access to imaging and radiotherapy services patient survey
Professor Sir Mike Richards, National Clinical Director for Cancer, and Professor Erika Denton, National Clinical Director for Imaging, have commissioned two surveys of cancer patients to understand patients' preferred times for radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging appointments. Details of the surveys, together with the S251 approval, are on the National Cancer Action Team website. Read more.
Changes to the portfolio of nationally commissioned services from April 2012
Eight services, which were formerly commissioned by PCTs, have been designated by Ministers and will be commissioned on a national basis from April 2012. Read more.
Supporting the commissioning workforce through transition, 22 May, London
This event will help commissioning staff understand the options open to them and factors influencing their careers as they head for new roles in clinical commissioning groups, commissioning support organisations, NHS Commissioning Board and elsewhere. The event will provide practical support, advice on personal development, employment law, TUPE, pensions and other topics. Read more.
Integrated commissioning for better health outcomes, 31 May, London
This event will challenge clinical commissioning groups, PCTs, SHAs and local authority representatives to achieve the very best care for their population by establishing more effective collaboration at every stage of the commissioning process. Learn from policy makers, experts and organisations who have already been through the experience. Read more.
From Transition to Transformation – new public health resource
The Department, together with the Local Government Association has developed a web-based resource to support the transition of public health to local government. The resource brings together fact sheets, case studies, a glossary and policy summary to assist local authorities and public health to develop a local public health system that is designed to have the greatest potential for improving health, not just in councils but with all local partners. Read more.
NHS Operating Framework 2012/13 and Secondary Uses Service
Best practice guidance has been published relating to the content on Secondary Uses Service (SUS) in the NHS Operating Framework for 2012/13. It provides clarification and guidance for providers and commissioners on how to use SUS to support local contract reconciliation and payment. Read more.
Direct access to diagnostic tests for cancer - best practice referral pathways
Actions to improve earlier diagnosis of cancer are set out in Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer (2011). Work has been underway to support more direct access to diagnostics tests for GPs. The Cancer Diagnostics Advisory Board was established to provide expert and clinical advice on key diagnostics across different cancer types. These best practice pathways commissioned by the Board provides information on direct referral by GPs to specific diagnostic tests for the assessment of particular symptoms where cancer may be suspected but urgent GP referral (two week wait) is not applicable. Read more.
A new data collection: The Diagnostic Imaging Dataset
The Department and the NHS Information Centre are opening a new monthly data collection 'The Diagnostic Imaging Dataset' from 14 May 2012. The data collection will give information about access by NHS patients to diagnostic imaging tests across the country and is mandatory for all NHS providers. Read more.
Clinical commissioning group authorisation: final draft guide
The clinical commissioning group authorisation: final draft guide for applicants has been published following formal ratification at the Board meeting of the NHS Commissioning Board Authority on 13 April 2012. This document is designed to help emerging clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) develop clear plans to progress through the authorisation process and become authorised CCGs. Read more.
Cancer Drugs Fund - Guidance to support the operation of the fund in 2012/13
The Department has published NHS guidance to support the operation of the Cancer Drugs Fund in 2012/13. The guidance is aimed primarily at specialised commissioning teams, clinically-led cancer drugs fund panels and SHAs. Read more.
Raising the bar on patient safety: the journey to ‘harm free’ care
On 17 May 2012, Maxine Power, QIPP Safe Care National Workstream Lead, will give an overview of Safety Express, an initiative that aims to deliver higher quality ‘harm free’ care at lower cost. It plans to do this by reducing the number of patients who experience harm from pressure ulcers, falls, infections in patients with urinary catheters and blood clots. Read more.
Healthy Places, Healthy Lives Online: Community conversations on wellbeing
On 3 May 2012, Jude Stansfield, Our Life Associate, will explain the Fair Deal for Wellbeing kit. She will reveal how it can be used to engage people in discussions on what wellbeing means to them, its influences and how to improve wellbeing in the community. Read more.
Quality Accounts audit guidance published
The Quality Accounts audit guidance sets out what trusts will need to do to support the audit of their 2011/12 Quality Accounts. The audit requirement applies to all NHS acute and mental health trusts that produce a Quality Account for 2011/12, as well as the Isle of Wight PCT.
The Quality Accounts: 2011/12 audit guidance supplements the Quality Accounts toolkit, which provides detailed information about producing a Quality Account.
The audit guidance does not apply to foundation trusts authorised before 31 March 2012, which should instead refer to Monitor’s guidance for external assurance on quality reports. Read more.
Conferences
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 10% off the current rate by calling 0845 056 8339 and quoting H202-IHAS. 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
NHS reforms: Developing the healthcare workforce - challenges, revalidation and managing the transition, 7 June
Clinical Commissioning Groups: The changing face of primary care and the role of the GP, 13 June More about the conference.
The Coming Year in Parliament Conference – The Queen’s Speech 2012, 14 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
Next Generation Healthcare – QIPP Challenge – Re-engaging leaders, 28 June, Manchester
Speakers include Sir Muir Gray, Co-Director, NHS QIPP Programme, Right Care Workstream, Department of Health; Jim Easton, Director of Improvement and Transformation, Department of Health and Mike Farrar, Chief Executive, NHS Confederation. Read more.
How to Turn Complaints into Service Improvements, 27 June
Topics include: Financial recompense, customer insight, complaints through social media and long-running or vexatious complaints. Due to
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. More about the conference
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
Healthcare Regulation: The future roles of Monitor and the Care Quality Commission, 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.
The North of England Cancer Conference, 12th & 13th September, Blackpool
Focusing on the current issues facing the
Laing & Buisson Independent Healthcare Awards 2012, 18 September
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 Read more.
EU CE2012 - Medical Device Regulatory Revision Conference, 20 September, Birmingham
Later this year the EU will publish the CE Medical Device Regulatory Revision. This will impact every medical device sold in the EU market and IHAS members need to know how it will affect you and your products. This is a key conference for procurement managers. More about the conference.
Healthcare Estates 2012 – Exhibition and Conference, 9-10 October, Manchester
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
- Perioperative Care Collaborative meets to take the agenda forward
- National Information Governance Board
- The European standard for cosmetic surgery – update on consultation submission.
- Results of the IHAS members survey on the IHAS Update
- More on the Red Tape Challenge
- Hellenic to become Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN)
Please ensure that this 'Update' is widely circulated within your organisations.
Sally, Andrew, Lene, Nigel and Disa
Tel: 020 7379 8598 or 020 7379 7721
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.