Register for the NHS Chief Executives Conference 2011, read about today’s publication of the pandemic flu strategy and find out more about the launch of the new £2 million dementia campaign.
Download ‘the week’: issue 222, 4 – 10 November 2011 (PDF, 90K)
Download ‘the week’: issue 222, 4 – 10 November 2011 (RTF, 496K)
On the agenda
1. NHS Chief Executives Conference 2011
This year, the conference is taking place on Thursday 24 November at 1pm at the London Hilton Metropole Hotel on Edgware Road. This conference brings together existing and future system leaders so that all have a common vision for the new health and care system. Senior leaders, including chief executives of NHS and non-NHS providing organisations, SHA and PCT clusters, arms length bodies and clinical commissioning groups are invited. Local authority representatives have already been nominated by the Local Government Association.
To register, please send your name, organisation and contact details to: NHSchiefexecutiveconference2011@dh.gsi.gov.uk
2. Publication of the pandemic flu strategy
The UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy 2011, which aims to ensure the UK continues to be one of the best-prepared countries in the world, was launched today by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.
The updated plan has been developed following consultation with a range of health and social care professionals. It aims to create more flexibility and clearer communication between all parties involved in the Government response to a pandemic.
3. Launch of dementia campaign
A new campaign to raise awareness of the early signs and symptoms of dementia has been launched. The £2 million campaign will feature TV, radio and print ads. Aimed at encouraging more people to seek an early diagnosis of dementia, the campaign targets the family and friends of people at risk of dementia, who are likely to be the first to see the signs and can encourage their loved one to see their GP.
It is estimated every general hospital has excess costs of £6 million linked to dementia. The condition can lead to longer hospital stays, higher mortality rates and institutionalisation.
Policy news
4. Self Care Week 14-20 November
Consultations and evaluations
No news this week
Publications
5. Transition of clinical contracts
Conferences and events
i. what’s new
No news this week
ii. places still available
No news this week
Patient safety alerts
Refer to website below
Extra notes
Chief executives are reminded that all communications requiring the attention of NHS and local authority management must include a Gateway reference number. In order to streamline the number of communications issued by the Department, these will continue to be summarised in ‘the week’ every Thursday.
Policy news
4. Self Care Week 14-20 November
(Gateway reference number: 16388)
NHS, social care and voluntary sector organisations will be raising awareness of services they provide to help people take care of themselves and their condition. A range of information and resources are available for health and social care professionals to support local initiatives.
Action: NHS chief executives will wish to encourage their staff to get involved in Self Care Week
Further nformation and resources
Consultations and evaluations
No news this week
Publications
5. Transition of clinical contracts
(Gateway reference number: 16818 and 16829)
PCTs will wish to make use of tools supporting the transfer of clinical contracts to the new commissioning authorities in April 2013. The documents describe a three-stage process to managing risk during the contract transition.
Action: PCT cluster chief executives should take the appropriate action to deliver the identified three phases of work. SHA cluster chief executives, through their nominated lead, will want to assure themselves of the readiness of the system to deliver the three phase plans and to effect the smooth transfer of contracts.
More information on the tools and a letter from David Flory, Deputy NHS Chief Executive
Conferences and events
i. what’s new
No news this week
ii. places still available
No news this week
Patient safety alerts
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has sent the NHS the latest medical device alerts in the link below. NHS trusts are expected to take the specified action by the date given.
Unless otherwise stated, guidance referred to in the bulletin has not been commissioned or endorsed by the Department of Health ? it is evidence that organisations and professionals may find helpful in improving practice. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is the Department’s provider of accredited evidence and guidance, which can be found on the Institute’s website