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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/organisations/department-of-healthDepartment of Health - Activity on GOV.UKHM Government2013-05-20T14:39:00+01:00tag:www.gov.uk,2005:PublicationesquePresenter/1691332013-05-20T14:39:00+01:002013-05-20T14:39:00+01:00Guidance: Assessment of the Health and Social Care Act 2008Post-legislative assessment of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.<div class="govspeak"><p>This memorandum to the House of Commons Health Select Committee considers whether the Health and Social Care Act 2008 met its objectives, which were to:</p> <ul> <li> <p>establish the Care Quality Commission</p> </li> <li> <p>change arrangements for regulation of health professionals and of the health and social care workforce</p> </li> <li> <p>update the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984</p> </li> <li> <p>create the Health in Pregnancy Grant</p> </li> <li> <p>make miscellaneous other changes in relation to health and social care</p> </li> </ul><p>It is government policy that the department responsible for an Act of Parliament should submit a memorandum on the Act to the relevant select committee within 5 years of Royal Assent.</p></div>tag:www.gov.uk,2005:PublicationesquePresenter/1691262013-05-20T14:01:00+01:002013-05-20T14:01:00+01:00Impact assessment: Antibiotic Resistance - a Threat to Global Health Security and the Case for ActionWritten contributions to the Antibiotic Resistance side event to be held at the 66th World Health Assembly, 21 May 2013<div class="govspeak"><p>The UK delegation to the World Health Assembly in Geneva, led by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies, is calling for international action to tackle the growing problem of fewer medicines to tackle the soaring number of antibiotic-resistant infections.</p> <p>This publication contains written reports detailing ways in which countries are tackling Antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It will form the basis for discussions at a side-event at WHA to be held on 21 May and which will be hosted by the UK.</p></div>tag:www.gov.uk,2005:NewsArticlePresenter/1691022013-05-20T12:37:08+01:002013-05-20T12:37:08+01:00Press release: Civil servants swap Whitehall corridors for the NHS front lineCivil servants will be swapping the corridors of Whitehall for the NHS front line in the future Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced today<div class="govspeak"><p>To understand the needs of patients and the pressures NHS staff face, every Department of Health civil servant will be expected to gain first hand experience of life in health or social care.</p> <p>A key recommendation in the Francis report was changing the culture of the department to make sure the needs of patients are always the first priority. As an important step, the Health Secretary wants his staff to lead the way across Government, by gaining a personal understanding of life on the front line and using that experience to shape policies that serve patients and their families.</p> <p>Expectations on all staff have been made clear:</p> <ul> <li> <p>The Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health, Una O’Brien and directors will lead the way by expanding their experience of the frontline. This will start immediately and spend at least a month a year learning about patient experiences and understanding the impact of their polices on the frontline.</p> </li> <li> <p>Senior civil servants will also be expected to spend at least a month learning about the experiences of patients every year, increasing their experience levels over time. Policy staff and others will also follow suit, learning about how their policy areas work out in practice, and broadening their knowledge of patient experience.</p> </li> <li> <p>The experience of staff will be reflected in their performance assessments and it will become a normal part of how the Department works and a basic expectation of the people who work in it.</p> </li> <li> <p>Civil servants will get exposure to a range of environments to help them get broader grasp of how things work in practice and how people feel about their health and care. </p> </li> <li> <p>They could be accompanying hospital porters, listening to receptionists answer queries, or learning how busy nurses or health care assistants go about their business. Department staff may be finding out about NHS basics, or learning about how charities support people in our society. There will be a range of opportunities to support senior staff to change the way they work for the better.</p> </li> </ul><h4 id="jeremy-hunt-health-secretary-said">Jeremy Hunt, Health Secretary said:</h4> <blockquote> <p class="last-child">Putting patients at the centre of everything we do isn’t just the responsibility of the NHS – we need to make sure it is the root of our policies.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p class="last-child">To understand more about what patients and service users need, and the issues which are important to them, civil servants need to walk a mile in their shoes. For the department’s leaders to hammer home the importance of putting patients first, they need to see for themselves what that actually means.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p class="last-child">Too often, civil servants are accused of making policies from within the ivory towers of Whitehall. It is time for this perception of aloofness to end. No member of staff should be able to get on without a personal understanding of our most basic aim – providing excellent care for the public.</p> </blockquote> <h4 id="department-of-health-permanent-secretary-una-obrien-said">Department of Health Permanent Secretary, Una O’Brien, said:</h4> <blockquote> <p class="last-child">Even for myself, with seven years front line experience this type of work is important because there is so much more to learn about current realities on the front line. Thousands of life altering events happen to patients in our hospitals and care settings every single day and NHS and social care staff face the pressures they bring. A lot of our staff have front line experience, but it’s time for all to see what life is like on the coalface to focus their minds on what we are all working towards.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p class="last-child">This isn’t about getting in the way of the important work that health and social care staff do. This is about connecting civil servants with life on the front line, changing the culture of the department and progressing the civil service reform agenda.</p> </blockquote> <h4 id="andrew-geldard-chief-executive-of-north-essex-partnership-university-nhs-foundation-trust-said">Andrew Geldard, Chief Executive, of North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust said:</h4> <blockquote> <p class="last-child">We are looking forward to showing civil servants how their work translates at the front line.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p class="last-child">Mental health is a mini NHS of its own, covering hospitals and community care. It’s where mental and physical healthcare merges, and the junction integrating health with social care. To know what’s going on in the NHS today, there’s no better place to look than mental health.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p class="last-child">We’re a very well managed part of the NHS too, making a net contribution to efficiency, without redundancies and doing more than ever. It’s where effort goes into the service and not having to balance the books. We’re in good shape and want to impress them.</p> </blockquote> <h4 id="dr-samantha-walker-executive-director-research-and-policy-asthma-uk-said">Dr Samantha Walker, Executive Director, Research and policy, Asthma UK said:</h4> <blockquote> <p class="last-child">We’re looking forward to giving civil servants a chance to find out more about how the voluntary sector works and hear directly from patients and carers affected by asthma.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p class="last-child">Asthma affects more than five million people in the UK, making it one of the commonest long-term conditions, so people with asthma will have lots to share about every level of the health service.</p> </blockquote></div>tag:www.gov.uk,2005:PublicationesquePresenter/1690882013-05-20T11:00:00+01:002013-05-20T11:00:00+01:00Policy paper: Regulation of NHS hospitalsJoint statement on changes to regulation and oversight of NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts proposed in response to the Francis report.<div class="govspeak"><p>This joint policy statement provides further information on the changes to the regulation and oversight of NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts proposed in the government’s initial response to the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry (the Francis report) and related clauses in Part 2 of the Care Bill. It is produced by the Department of Health, the Care Quality Commission, Monitor, NHS England and the NHS Trust Development Authority.</p> <p>The Francis report highlighted a lack of clarity over which part of the regulatory, commissioning and supervisory system is responsible for taking decisive action in response to a failure in quality of care. </p> <p>The government’s initial response, ‘Patients First and Foremost’, sets out that it will develop a single failure regime to provide a clear and co-ordinated regulatory approach to identifying and dealing with failures of quality with a more clearly defined and timely end point for failed hospitals. This statement puts these changes and the clauses in Part 2 of the Bill in a broader context.</p></div>tag:www.gov.uk,2005:NewsArticlePresenter/1690642013-05-20T10:06:00+01:002013-05-20T10:06:00+01:00Press release: UK calls for international action on antimicrobial resistanceHealth leaders from around the world will be warned by the UK about the catastrophic threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). <div class="govspeak"><p>Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Professor Dame Sally Davies are leading a delegation to the World Health Assembly in Geneva. They are calling for international action to deal with the growing problem of fewer medicines to treat the soaring number of antibiotic-resistant infections.</p> <p>Jeremy Hunt will today address the World Health Assembly made up of representatives of all member states. Following the CMO’s challenge in her annual report in March, Professor Dame Sally Davies will jointly host a seminar tomorrow with the Swedish Health Minister. It will include speeches from senior officials from the Philippines, India and Australia.</p> <h4 id="health-secretary-jeremy-hunt-said">Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt said:</h4> <blockquote> <p>Antimicrobial resistance is a global problem. There are few public health issues of greater importance.</p> <p class="last-child">We need stronger international partnerships and coalitions so that the threat of AMR is fully recognised and the responsibility for reducing it is shared.</p> </blockquote> <h4 id="chief-medical-officer-professor-dame-sally-davies-said">Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies said:</h4> <blockquote> <p>We in the UK are taking this issue extremely seriously and will be publishing a 5-year, cross government strategy in the summer.</p> <p>But we can’t really tackle it unless we get coordinated, international action, which is why we’re working in partnership to push it up the global political agenda.</p> <p class="last-child">If we don’t take action, in 20 years’ time we could be back in the 19th century where infections kill us as a result of routine operations.</p> </blockquote> <p>Discussions focused on the main objectives of the new UK cross-government Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy, to be published in the summer, which include:</p> <ul> <li> <p>slowing down the development and spread of AMR, by improving understanding, surveillance and prescribing</p> </li> <li> <p>maintaining the efficacy of existing antimicrobials, by stricter infection prevention and better stewardship</p> </li> <li> <p>supporting the development of new antimicrobials and alternative treatments by closer working with regulatory bodies, the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Union (EU) and other international partners</p> </li> </ul><p>The UK’s 5-year, cross-government AMR strategy is due to be published in the summer.</p> <p><a href="/government/world/uk-mission-to-the-un-geneva">Get the latest updates from World Health Assembly 2013 website</a>.</p></div>tag:www.gov.uk,2005:NewsArticlePresenter/1690092013-05-20T09:31:09+01:002013-05-20T09:31:09+01:00Press release: Kingsley Manning confirmed as the new Chair of the Health and Social Care Information CentreKingsley Manning has been confirmed as the new Chair of the Health and Social Care Information Centre.<div class="govspeak"><p>Kingsley Manning has been confirmed as the new Chair of the Health and Social Care Information Centre, Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health announced today.</p> <p>The Health and Social Care Information Centre has a pivotal new role as the focal point for data and for core IT infrastructure and expertise across the health and care system and will play a fundamental role in driving better care, better services and better outcomes as part of the Government’s reforms under the Health and Social Care Act 2012.</p> <h4 id="jeremy-hunt-said">Jeremy Hunt said:</h4> <p>“Kingsley brings a great wealth of experience and expertise and his leadership will be essential at such a crucial time for the new Health and Social Care Information Centre. </p> <p>“I am sure he will lead the Health and Social Care Information Centre to become the leading centre of expertise and innovation in information management, right at the forefront of driving technological change in the NHS.</p> <p>“I would also like to thank Candy Morris for her valuable contribution as interim Chair over recent months, and particularly her role in securing the services of top quality non-executive directors.”</p> <h4 id="kingsley-manning-said">Kingsley Manning said:</h4> <p>“I am delighted to be asked to Chair the HSCIC and I am very pleased to accept this leadership challenge. </p> <p>Information and technology are changing almost every aspect of our lives and health and care should be no different. The HSCIC will play a pivotal role in transforming services for patients and citizens through the use of data and information. My objective is to build on the skills of the HSCIC to establish it as both a national and international centre of expertise for the use of data in health and care. </p> <p>I look forward to taking up my post and working with the board, management team and staff to create a successful and dynamic organisation.”</p> <h4 id="notes-to-editors">Notes to editors</h4> <ul> <li> <p>For media enquiries please ring the Department of Health social care desk on 0207 210 5821.</p> </li> <li> <p>This appointment is made in accordance with the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies, issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.</p> </li> <li> <p>All appointments are made on merit and political activity played no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there</p> </li> <li> <p>is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Kingsley Manning has declared no current political activity. </p> </li> <li> <p>Kingsley Manning was Founder and Managing Director of Newchurch Limited, a leading firm of health and information consultants, from 1983 until 2009. </p> </li> <li> <p>Subsequent roles have included, Executive Chairman of Tribal Group’s health business and Senior Adviser at McKinsey &amp; Company.</p> </li> <li> <p>His appointment starts on 3rd June 2013 and is for four years. He will receive £63,000 per annum for a time commitment of 2 to 3 days per week.</p> </li> <li> <p>For further information on the Health and Social Care Information Centre visit http://www.hscic.gov.uk/.</p> </li> </ul></div>tag:www.gov.uk,2005:PublicationesquePresenter/1690062013-05-17T16:35:00+01:002013-05-17T16:35:00+01:00Guidance: Conditions for payments between the NHS and local authoritiesDirections and an explanatory note setting out conditions for payments between the NHS and local authorities.<div class="govspeak"><p>These updated Directions set conditions on any payments made under section 76 and 256/257 of the NHS Act 2006. This includes <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/funding-transfer-from-the-nhs-to-social-care-2013-to-2014-directions">the money to be transferred by NHS England in 2013/14 for social care</a> and any further payments been agreed at a local level.</p> <p>These Directions have been updated to reflect the establishment of new NHS bodies by the Health and Social Care Act 2012. The conditions concern the financial management of any such payments – an explanatory note provides full details of these. </p></div>tag:www.gov.uk,2005:PublicationesquePresenter/1690002013-05-17T15:37:00+01:002013-05-17T15:37:00+01:00Guidance: Update on novel coronavirus infectionA CMO message advising healthcare professionals on the current global situation of human infection with the novel coronavirus (nCoV). <div class="govspeak"><p>The Chief Medical Officer provides the latest information and guidance in light of the 2 clusters of severe human cases of the novel coronavirus infection, which were reported in May 2013. </p></div>tag:www.gov.uk,2005:PublicationesquePresenter/1690032013-05-17T12:06:00+01:002013-05-17T12:06:00+01:00Guidance: Funding transfer from the NHS to social care 2013 to 2014: DirectionsDirections and an explanatory note for the 2013 to 14 transfer of funds from the NHS to local authorities.<div class="govspeak"><p>The Directions and explanatory note concern the transfer of £859m in 2013 to 2014 from the NHS to local authorities for social care. </p> <p>This funding, which was announced as part of the Spending Review and in the Care and Support White paper, must support adult social care services in each authority, which also have a health benefit. The local authority and clinical commissioning groups must agree together how to use the money.</p> <p>These Directions should be read together with the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/conditions-for-payments-between-the-nhs-and-local-authorities">conditions relating to payments between NHS bodies and local authorities</a></p></div>tag:www.gov.uk,2005:NewsArticlePresenter/1689392013-05-17T10:54:18+01:002013-05-17T10:54:18+01:00Press release: Norman Lamb appoints new champion for adult social workLyn Romeo appointed as Chief Social Worker for Adults.<div class="govspeak"><p>Adult social care users and practitioners will have a new champion following the appointment of Lyn Romeo as Chief Social Worker for Adults by Minister for Care and Support, Norman Lamb. </p> <p>The new Chief Social Worker for Adults will help to improve the quality of care across adult services and act as a champion for those who receive services and the professionals who work in the sector.</p> <p>The post will work closely with a Chief Social Worker for Children to be announced shortly. </p> <p>Together they will lead social workers in protecting the safety and welfare of the most vulnerable in society and make sure the views of social workers are heard at the highest levels of Government. </p> <p>They will advise Health and Education ministers on how best to improve standards in social work, looking at areas like training and professional development. They will also explore how social workers can best work with leaders of other professions to give the best possible services. </p> <p>Lyn Romero is currently Assistant Director of Adult Social Care and Joint Commissioning at the London Borough of Camden. She has more than 35 years experience of social work practice, both as a frontline social worker and at management level in organisations delivering social work and social care services. </p> <h4 id="care-and-support-minister-norman-lamb-said">Care and Support Minister, Norman Lamb said:</h4> <blockquote> <p class="last-child">I am delighted that Lyn has accepted this new and exciting role. She brings with her a wealth of experience from Camden and other areas. Her expertise will make her a strong and effective advocate for people who use services, their carers and social work practitioners working with adults.</p> </blockquote> <h4 id="chief-social-worker-for-adults-lyn-romeo-said">Chief Social Worker for Adults Lyn Romeo said:</h4> <blockquote> <p class="last-child">As a social worker myself, I know how challenging it can be on the frontline, but I also know what a hugely positive influence a good social worker can have and the amazing difference they can make to people’s lives.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p class="last-child">It will be my aim to boost the profile of adult social work, support social workers in improving the quality of their practice and to make sure social workers can support the people they work with to achieve the outcomes they want for themselves.</p> </blockquote> <p>Lyn will take up her role in late summer autumn and initially be on a two-year secondment from the London Borough of Camden.</p></div>