Department seeks three non-executive directors for the NHS Commissioning Board Authority

The Secretary of State for Health is seeking to appoint up to three non-executive directors to the NHS Commissioning Board Authority. The board will lead a commissioning system to improve the health outcomes achieved by the NHS in England while securing value from budgets totalling around £80 billion. This is a unique opportunity to take a leading role in helping to design, develop and deliver the NHS of the future.

Non-executive directors will support the chair by contributing to the wider governance and leadership of the board and will develop and maintain excellent relationships with a range of key partners. They will have a track record of prominence and excellence in their field, and have the stature, intellect and strategic ability to contribute actively to the board of a large, complex organisation whose role is to serve the public.

Primary location: Leeds

Appointments are for a term of up to four years.

Renumeration

Remuneration: £7,882 for around two days a month.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 10 May 2012. Interviews are due to take place on 22 May 2012.

Further information

http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/04/nhs-commissioning-board-authority/

Health Secretary sets out objectives for NHS Commissioning Board Authority

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has set out the Government's strategic objectives for the NHS Commissioning Board Authority and the basis against which the Authority will be held to account.

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
• developing excellent relationships.

These objectives flow from the Authority's role to prepare for the establishment and operation of the NHS Commissioning Board.

The objectives will need to be delivered in the context of the Board's responsibility to contribute to the achievement of:

• improvements in health for the whole population
• better quality of care and outcomes for all patients
• increased value for the taxpayer through robust financial management and improved efficiency and productivity.

The objectives are relevant to the period when the Authority is operating (until October 2012), and also to the full NHS Commissioning Board when it is established, in its preparatory phase from October 2012 until March 2013.

From April 2013, when the Board takes on its full statutory powers, Ministers will set their objectives, on behalf of the Government as a whole, through the mandate.

Proposals for the mandate are currently being developed with the aim of consulting on them this summer.

Accuracy Verification of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology for Lower-Limb Prosthetic Research: Utilising Animal Soft Tissue Specimen and Common Socket Casting Materials

Mohammad Reza Safari, Philip Rowe, and Arjan Buis

Abstract

Lower limb prosthetic socket shape and volume consistency can be quantified using MRI technology. Additionally, MRI images of the residual limb could be used as an input data for CAD-CAM technology and finite element studies. However, the accuracy of MRI when socket casting materials are used has to be defined. A number of six, 46 mm thick, cross-sections of an animal leg were used. Three specimens were wrapped with Plaster of Paris (POP) and the other three with commercially available silicone interface liner. Data was obtained by utilising MRI technology and then the segmented images compared to corresponding calliper measurement, photographic imaging, and water suspension techniques. The MRI measurement results were strongly correlated with actual diameter, surface area, and volume measurements. The results show that the selected scanning parameters and the semiautomatic segmentation method are adequate enough, considering the limit of clinical meaningful shape and volume fluctuation, for residual limb volume and the cross-sectional surface area measurements.

http://www.tswj.com/2012/156186/

Alternatives for pressure relief of neuropathic ulcer in the diabetic foot

R. Gallego Estévez, A. Camp Faulí, C. Viel i Blasco, N. Chaqués Salcedo, H. Peñarrocha Fernández
Diabetic Foot Unit. Clínica Virgen del Consuelo. Instituto Valenciano del Pie. Valencia


Abstract
Among the chronic complications associated with diabetes mellitus, foot ulcers
are present in 15% of patients sometimes in the course of their disease,
and often leads to amputation. These ulcers are usually neuropatic and have
a poor response to mechanical stress that causes high plantar pressures. Using
offloading is an integral part of the healing process, which causes favorable
histologic changes in the ulcer, from a chronic inflammatory state to a
better evolutionary condition. There are many strategies for reducing plantar
pressure which have to be used in a protocol manner to obtain favorable results.
This article presents different methods of pressure reduction underling
the importance for professionals of their use in the management of diabetic
foot ulcers.




http://www.sediabetes.org/gestor/upload/revistaAvances/26-6-14-en.pdf

NEW Enhanced Insurance cover for BAPO members Reminder

The BAPO Executive committee is delighted to announce an extensively enhanced insurance cover for all UK Full, Associate Technician, Associate Assistant and Retired members at no increase in cost to you.

Insurance cover has been extended to provide cover for all members who undertake private practice which now gives an annual saving of over £500 for members who previously purchased an extension to their main BAPO policy to cover private income of over £1000. 

BAPO provides four policies as a benefit of membership:

Public Liability

Product Liability

Medical Malpractice Insurance

Professional Indemnity Insurance **NEW** This policy will also provide cover for Medico Legal Report writing and Expert Witness work.

Policy limits for all of the above are £5,000,000 per policy for any claims and in the annual aggregate. 

Full BAPO membership provides this and a host of other benefits for only £360.67 annually. Please feel free to advise your colleagues who work in private practice or Locum work who may not be aware of the fantastic saving available through BAPO membership.

If you have any further questions regarding your new BAPO insurance cover please contact the Secretariat on 0141 561 7217 or email enquiries@bapo.com

HPC Renewal Audit

Last September our profession was audited by HPC and 23 Prosthetists and Orthotists were selected. The results of the audit on 13 March 2012 were:

• 16 (70%)were accepted first time
• 1 (5%) was accepted after further information
• 1 (5%) was deferred
• 1 (5%)person lapsed and did not renew
• 4 (15%) are still under scrutiny

Have you previously been selected for HPC Audit and would like to share your experience with your fellow Prosthetists and Orthotists?

If so please contact the Secretariat on enquiries@bapo.com

Assessment of talipes equinovarus treated by Ponseti technique: Three-year preliminary report

Abstract

Background

The Ponseti method has become increasingly popular in the treatment of congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV). Current methods of assessment focus on clinical, functional and radiological outcomes which are subjective and often difficult to repeat. However, integration of biomechanical evaluation can provide objective and quantifiable analysis. This study aims to evaluate the treatment outcome of CTEV patients on the basis of long-term clinical, functional and biomechanical assessment.

Methods

Following treatment, five children with CTEV were reviewed annually for the period 2008–2010. Clinical and functional outcomes were graded using parental questionnaires and clinical examination. Biomechanical parameters were evaluated using digital foot pressure studies.

Results

The study group recorded good clinical and functional outcomes. However, biomechanical studies have been able to identify subtle abnormalities that would be unapparent otherwise on clinical examination.

Conclusions

It is recommended that biomechanical assessment be integrated into the overall evaluation of the outcome of CTEV after treatment.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0958259212000120

Over £100 million given to support groundbreaking clinical research

Over £100m will be invested in NHS clinical research facilities to develop new treatments to benefit thousands of patients.

The money, provided by the National Institute for Health Research, will be spent on research nurses and technicians at 19 of the facilities around the country. A huge number of new treatments for conditions including cancer, diabetes, stroke, dementia and obesity will be developed by researchers at the facilities.

Some of the funding will also be used to conduct research into rare diseases. The first ever UK consultation on Rare Diseases was published yesterday which outlines how we can build on our strengths through improved co-ordination of services, stronger research and better engagement with patients and their families.

Bidding for funding

NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts with clinical research facilities submitted bids for the funding, which were judged by a panel of UK experts in both medical research and in running clinical research facilities. Winning bids were selected on the basis of the quality and volume of world-class medical research they support as well as other criteria including the strength of their partnerships with universities and industry.

Source: http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/03/over-100-million-given-to-support-groundbreaking-clinical-research/

NICE Clinical Guideline on Spasticity in Children and Young People

The clinical guideline on Spasticity in children and young people is now out for a pre-publication check of factual errors and the closing date for comments will be 5pm on 10^th May 2012.

Please note: The pre-publication check is not a second consultation or an opportunity to reopen issues highlighted during consultation on the draft guidelines.  The GDG will already have considered these issues in forming the recommendations contained in the draft for the pre-publication check.

Below is the relevant link where you will find all the instructions and documents needed to make your comments:

http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG/Wave22/5/PrepublicationCheck

If you have any comments, please contact the Secretariat who will pass all comments onto NICE on behalf of BAPO.  Please complete all responses are provided using the pre-publication comments form (ensuring all relevant fields are completed, including your organisation’s full name) and forward this electronically by 5pm on the 3^th May 2012 to: enquiries@bapo.com 

Health Education England bulletin launched

The Health Education England transition team has launched its first bulletin to start providing regular updates on the development of the new organisation.

The bulletin is available on a new HEE transition website. 

Guidance for staff facing proposals to change pay terms and conditions

New joint NHS trade unions guidance has been published to help RCN activists resist local proposals to cut NHS pay, terms and conditions.

This advice has been agreed by all NHS trade unions nationally and is designed to help regional and local trade union representatives deal with similar proposals by NHS employing organisations.

QIPP Long Term Conditions

Early implementers are being invited to apply to test a potential new way of funding long-term conditions care. The LTC year of care funding model will be tested by six early implementer sites and prescribes a set approach for the purpose of national evaluation.

The model is described in Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention Long TermConditions which is published along side an application form and supporting guidance for those interested in becoming early implementers.

The deadline for applications is Friday 25 May 2012. QIPP long term conditions is aimed at health and social care commissioners and providers who are implementing integrated LTC care services to improve outcomes and people’s experience. 

A new series of guides giving practical advice to CCGs about the value of patient and public engagement is out today

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 where CCGs are also invited to leave feedback.

Diabetes foot care report shows £650m cost of ulcers and amputations

A new report published by NHS Diabetes sets out the shocking cost to both patients and the NHS of poor quality diabetic foot care.

The report shows that around £650 million is spent on foot ulcers or amputations each year. It also highlights the devastating consequences of foot problems in people with diabetes. Around 7% of people with diabetes currently have, or have had, a foot ulcer, which can lead to amputation.

NHS Diabetes is calling on the NHS to set up specialist diabetes foot care teams as a matter of urgency. Foot care multi disciplinary teams (MDTs) can generate savings for the NHS that substantially outweigh the cost of the team. 

BLESMA Fund Raising

A number of British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) members are enduring blisters and strict training regimes to train for the London Marathon on the 22 April 2012 all in aid to raise money for British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (BLESMA).

If you want to see what motivates some of these members, please go to their Just Giving website links below:

http://www.justgiving.com/ian-jones14

http://www.justgiving.com/MooseBaxter

2012 Olympic Paralympic Games

The Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Paralympic Games is on Wednesday, 29 August 2012.

The BBC intend to broadcast 25 hours of broadcast including commentary and analysis on 5 live.

There are 2 million tickets to attend events costing between £10 and £45.

There are 20 sports on the lineup for London 2012 Paralympics including, Archery, Cycling, Judo, Football, Sailing, Shooting and Basketball to mention a few.  Athletics is by far the biggest sport on the programme with 1,100 athletes competing for 170 gold medals.

Have you managed to get tickets to the Paralympic Games or are you even attending to help out?  Post your thoughts about the events, venues, and athletes below.

A new NHS pension scheme

Does the new NHS pension scheme affect you?  Tell us how you feel by commenting below.

The key facts in the proposals for a new NHS pension

Scheme are:

The proposed pension scheme will not be introduced before April 2015.

•           All pension rights earned in the NHS pension scheme up to that point will

be unaffected and based on your final salary when you retire. No-one will

            lose any pension entitlements that they have already built up.

•           If you are within ten years of your pension age you will not be moving to the

new scheme and will get the same pension you would have done at your

chosen retirement age.

•           If you are within thirteen years and five months of normal pension age, your

pension is partially protected – so you will remain on the current

arrangements for a longer period.

•           The new pension scheme from 2015 will continue to provide what is called

‘defined scheme related benefits’ – this is different to the ‘defined

contribution’ schemes which are now common in the private sector and

often more risky.

•           Those defined scheme related benefits will be based on your average

earnings over the course of your NHS career rather than your final salary.

•           The annual rate of pension accrual for the new scheme will be 1/54ths of

pensionable earnings each year with no limit to your service – this is the

rate at which you build up pension benefits. This is a better accrual rate for

your pension than you get at the moment.

•           Employee pension contributions – what you pay into your pension – is

based on a full-time salary and will increase by an average of 3.2

percentage points over 3 years from April 2012. The 630,000 NHS staff

who earn less than £26,557 on a full-time equivalent basis will not pay any

extra into their pension in 2012/13 and there will be consultation on the

proposals for subsequent years.

•           Most NHS Trades Unions and NHS Employers have stated that they

believe that this final proposal represents the best that can be achieved

through discussions.

Rigid Footplate Shows Advantages Over AFO for Idiopathic Toe Walking

Rigid Footplate Shows Advantages Over AFO for Idiopathic Toe Walking

Many of us would see habitual toe walkers within our everyday clinics.  What's your preference of treatment and why?