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News

Role of hospital pharmacists during pandemic flu updated
New Government guidance on preparing acute hospitals in England
A national framework has also been published


Funds for NHS cleaning
Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) data for 2007


New review of equality
NHS trusts are facing a review of their race equality policies, the Healthcare Commission has announced


E-prescribing system reduces drug errors
Paediatrics 2007;120:1058–66 (abstract)


Patient knowledge of heart risk improves LDL
Archives of Internal Medicine 2007;167:2296–303 (abstract)

News in brief

A strategy to reduce counterfeiting has been published by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, describing a three-year plan to tackle fraud through a programme of communication, collaboration and regulation.

A 24-hour hotline for reporting suspected counterfeit drugs and devices has also been launched.

A new public campaign to prevent the spread of cold and influenza viruses has been launched by the Department of Health.

The “Catch it, kill it, bin it” campaign encourages people to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, dispose of the tissue as soon as possible and wash their hands.

Posters will be displayed in public places including hospital and community pharmacies, shopping centres and on public transport, until spring 2008.

The latest developments to support the NHS in delivering an “18-week pathway” from GP referral to treatment appear in a bulletin published by the Department of Health.