NICE consults on updated recommendations for the treatment and care of people with early breast cancer

NICE’s draft updated guideline on early and locally advanced breast cancer calls for extended hormonal therapy for some women after they’ve taken tamoxifen in order to reduce the risk of their breast cancer coming back.

The new recommendation is for women who have been through the menopause who have a type of breast cancer called ER-positive invasive breast cancer and who have been taking tamoxifen for 2 to 5 years. It reflects research showing that switching to an aromatase inhibitor after taking tamoxifen for 5 years improved disease-free survival compared with women who had only received tamoxifen for 5 years.

Changes to the DHSC group accounting manual 2018 to 2019

This DHSC consultation seeks views on the guidance for financial reporting and preparing annual reports and accounts for the department and related bodies (non-Foundation Trusts). The consultation document outlines the proposed changes for the next financial year and feedback will be accepted until 23 February 2018.

NHS England consults on freeing up 136 million to boost frontline NHS care by curbing prescription costs

NHS England has launched a public consultation on proposals to rein in prescriptions for some ‘over the counter’ products such as dandruff shampoo and drops for tired eyes, freeing-up up to £136 million to expand other treatments for major conditions such as cancer and mental health problems.

AoMRC Medical Associate Professionals consultation

The AoMRC's response to the Department of Health’s consultation on the regulation of Medical Associate Professionals (MAPs).

National health and care workforce strategy unveiled

A system-wide workforce strategy for the NHS and social care launches today for consultation: Facing the Facts, Shaping the Future, A Health and Care Workforce Strategy for England to 2027.

The content has been led and coordinated by Health Education England, but is published as a product of the whole national system including NHS England, NHS Improvement and Public Health England.

The draft strategy looks at the major workforce plans for the Five Year Forward View priorities: cancer; mental health; maternity; primary and community care; and urgent and emergency care.

Introducing 'opt-out' consent for organ and tissue donation in England

This DH consultation seeks views on proposed plans to make it easier for people to give consent to be an organ donor.

The consultation is specifically seeking input on how much input families have in deceased relative's donation decisions, whether exemptions to opting out is needed and how these proposals may affect certain groups depending on age, disability, race or faith. The consultation closes on 6 March 2018.

CSP launches survey to identify physiotherapy research priorities

The CSP is seeking opinions from physiotherapy staff, patients and carers about what areas of research the profession should prioritise.

NHS England launches consultation to simplify and strengthen arrangements for research in the NHS

A consultation has been launched to simplify and standardise the process for getting research projects up and running in the NHS.

Cuts to bureaucracy and faster access to new and innovative treatments, are at the heart of 12 actions also agreed by the NHS England Board to support research and its application in the NHS.

Regulation of MAP roles - have your say

The Department of Health is seeking views on the regulation of four medical associate profession (MAP) roles in the UK.

• Physician Associate (PA)
• Physicians’ Assistant (Anaesthesia) (PA(A))
• Surgical Care Practitioner (SCP)
• Advanced Critical Care Practitioner (ACCP).

Complete its short survey by 13 December 2017 to ensure that your views are represented.  

Transforming care: views sought on NHS quality checkers’ toolkits

NHS England is testing toolkits for quality checkers to use in the assessment of services for people with autism and/or learning disabilities including GPs, community services, dental, acute care, accident and emergency and mental health.

These draft toolkits have been co-produced with people with a learning disability, autism or both and include health issues that are important to them. Most of the toolkits have been tested in some NHS services, but NHS England wants to gain the views of people who work in the services, commissioners and others who are interested in this work. The closing date of 1 December 2017.

Promoting professionalism, reforming regulation

A paper for consultation from the Department of Health.  It considers what reforms are needed across the UK healthcare regulatory system in order to support workforce development while maximising public protection in a more efficient way.

Modernising Radiotherapy Services in England – developing proposals for future service models consultation

NHS England has launched a consultation on radiotherapy services. It is seeking feedback on its proposals for a new specification for radiotherapy services, following the £130 million investment to upgrade radiotherapy equipment, which was announced last October.

The online consultation closes on 18 December 2017. 

Largest trusts could pay £1m annual fee to CQC

New fees consultation recommends 300 per cent increase in CQC fees for largest trusts

Three quarters of trusts would see a reduction in CQC costs

Regulator also proposes GP fees reflect patient list size

The largest trusts in the NHS face paying more than £1m pounds a year to the Care Quality Commission under new fee proposals from the regulator.

To obtain this HSJ article please contact libraryw@uhcw.nhs.uk.  

See also the CQC consultation on its proposed changes to regulatory fees.

Broad support for revalidation proposals highlighted in consultation report

The General Pharmaceutical Council has published a report which highlights that there was overall support for the proposals for revalidation for pharmacy professionals among respondents to a consultation we held earlier this year.

Response to second consultation on the next phase of regulation

The CQC has published its response to its second set of proposals that aim to simplify and strengthen the way we regulate health and social care in England.

Consultation on nursing associate regulation now open

The Department of Health has launched a new consultation seeking views of employers about how nursing associates should be regulated.

Responses will feed in to changes of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001, which sets out the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) powers and duties. The order needs to be amended for the NMC to effectively regulate the nursing associate profession.

The consultation, launched on Monday 16 October, is open until 26 December 2017. 

The Regulation of Medical Associate Professions in the UK

This DH consultation seeks views on the regulation of medical associate professions in the UK, including physician associates, physicians’ assistants, surgical care practitioners and advanced critical care practitioners. The closing date for comments is 22 December 2017.

GMC seeks views on skills needed by newly-qualified doctors

The General Medical Council (GMC) has launched a consultation on the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours needed by newly-qualified doctors in order to help shape the future development of undergraduate medical education.

NICE sets out how to diagnose and treat Lyme disease

The draft NICE guidance outlines when doctors can diagnose Lyme disease without the need for tests.

If a person has had a tick bite and a circular red rash, known as erythema migrans, the draft guidance recommends doctors diagnose and treat Lyme disease with antibiotics.

Have your say on which products should be available on prescription

The NHS wants to know which drugs and treatments patients think should be made available on prescription. 

The consultation is focusing on medicines deemed to be a low priority for NHS funding, and could see items currently available on prescription no longer offered in this way.

3,200 items are being reviewed, including products such as sunscreen, laxatives, eye drops and eczema cream. In the future, people may have to buy such things over the counter.