Department of Health and Social Care

“we expect pharmacy owners to: - Make sure that their website and the websites of companies they work with are arranged so that a person cannot choose a prescription only medicine and its quantity before there has been an appropriate consultation with a prescriber”

“we published updated guidance for doctors on prescribing in February 2021. This now places a greater emphasis on following the principles of good practice regardless of the medium through which a consultation is taking place, face to face or online.”

“We are also aware that our regulatory partners, including MHRA and the GPhC, share our concerns about the lack of regulatory oversight in this area.”

“The Department is working with other healthcare regulators including the General Medical Council and their equivalents in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the area of digital healthcare provision. As a result, a review of the UK's legislative position was undertaken and gaps identified. These included cases involving inappropriate prescribing and a lack of checks with the patient's GP before prescribing.”

“implemented across the prison estate in July 2021”

“NHSEI advise that there is currently a lack of evidence on the management of large babies in pregnancy (unless diabetes is present), In particular, it is not clear whether the incidence of shoulder dystocia can be reduced through inducing labour in women with big babies or whether it is better to wait for labour to begin naturally. Progress in this area of maternity care should be more clearly informed when the results of the Induction of labour for predicted macrosomia - The 'Big Baby Trial'1”

“my officials have made enquiries with NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI), and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)”

“Through the national Shared Care Records programme, by September this year, we expect the majority of Integrated Care Systems (ICS's) to have a basic shared care record in place.”

“The aim is to have this largely in place by March 2023.”

“in the South East region, where electronic sharing of patient information is not yet possible, to support patient care each ICS has adopted a set of Continuity of Care Principles regarding the commissioning of acute and psychiatric intensive care out of area placements.”

“the CCG is in the process of commissioning a new crisis house that will provide support to people in a mental health crisis who require 24/7 support and would otherwise be admitted to hospital. The tender for this service will be issued in October 2021 and the new service will start in the summer of 2022.”

“We are clear that commissioners and providers of services have a joint responsibility to work collaboratively to meet the needs of people with co-occurring conditions.”

“the procurement process has completed, the contract has been awarded to Mental Health Matters and the service will start on 01 November 2022”

“Recently, (and in part due to concerns raised by your report) NHS England has asked all parts of the country to ensure that they have in place clear written protocols for escalation and actions to be taken when patients are waiting long periods, or a bed cannot be identified.”

“The LMHT has now completed a joint piece of work with their ED colleagues at TGICFT. A triage assessment tool has been implemented which guides the triage nurse to consider the most appropriate pathway for the patient based on their risk/presentation at that time.”