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Consultations
DfT: A new proposal to encourage more lorry drivers to take eco-driver training could save up to 3m tonnes of CO2 over 5 years and £300m in fuel costs. The plans - which include making eco driver training for LGV drivers a mandatory part of the EU Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) - aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the freight sector.
The consultation (closes on 30 June 2010) sets out the options which will enable 90% of lorry drivers to receive eco-driver training. Also included are plans to increase promotion of the benefits of eco-driving training to encourage greater take up. The consultation also considers the possibility of making the eco-driving training a mandatory part of bus drivers CPC.
Press release ~ Consultation: Increasing the uptake of eco-driving training for drivers of LGVs and PCVs ~ EU Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) ~ Carbon Reduction Strategy for Transport, Low Carbon Transport: A Greener Future ~ Directgov: Obtaining your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence
NICE: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently developing guidance for the NHS on the use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation for people with motor neurone disease. Anyone wishing to submit comments on the draft guideline is invited to do so via the NICE website by 23 March 2010.
Respiratory problems are the main cause of death for people with motor neurone disease as the muscles weaken and breathing gets increasingly difficult. The draft guideline from NICE looks at the use of non-invasive ventilation for patients with motor neurone disease; in particular:
* how healthcare professionals should identify & monitor respiratory impairment
* when they should consider offering non-invasive breathing support
* when to discuss end-of-life care
CLG: Housing & Planning Minister, John Healey, last week announced a ‘triple’ boost for councils tackling climate change. 3 planning policies (Climate Change, Natural Environment and Coastal Change) have been overhauled, which will give councils a ‘green planning rulebook’ so new sustainable developments are planned & built with the aim of reducing carbon emissions and with the future climate in mind.
To help councils, Mr Healey has also granted nearly £10m to boost their expertise as ‘green champions’, updating the tools & know-how they need to develop sustainable housing & energy sources for their areas.
Mr Healey has also confirmed that a further 2 new areas (East Devon District Council and Fareham Borough Council) have been added to proposed eco-town ‘second wave’ originally announced in December 2009.
Mr Healey has also confirmed that a further 2 new areas (East Devon District Council and Fareham Borough Council) have been added to proposed eco-town ‘second wave’ originally announced in December 2009.
Press release ~ Climate Change PPS consultation (closes 1 June 2010) ~ Natural Environment PPS consultation (closes 1 June 2010) ~ Coastal Change PPS consultation responses ~ Warm Homes Greener Homes Home Energy Management Strategy ~ CLG: Eco Towns
DfT: Government plans – published last week in a consultation paper (closes 1 June 2010) – outline a range of measures to improve bus services, including:
* a ban the consumption of alcohol on buses
* a requirement for operators to provide more advanced warning of changes to services
* financial penalties for operators who fail to enforce dedicated wheelchair spaces on buses
* proposals to allow local authorities to set maximum ticket prices for all, or certain categories, of passengers at a level less than the existing commercial fares
DfT: All road works will need to be clearly signed & meet strict rules on safety under plans published last week for consultation (closes on 2 June 2010). These proposals mean that councils carrying out their own works will also have to abide by these rules.
In addition, anyone carrying out road works will have to meet tougher standards on safety for disabled people - making sure sites are properly protected and facilities are put in place to allow wheelchair users to move around them easily.
Press release ~ Amendment to the Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice Consultation
NICE: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is developing advice for the NHS on how to treat & look after children who wet the bed. The draft clinical guideline is now available for public consultation. Anyone wishing to submit comments is invited to do so via the NICE website by 6 May 2010.
NICE’s draft guideline covers a range of approaches, from teaching simple behavioural techniques - such as the use of alarms, monitoring fluid intake, diet & toileting patterns - to more complicated care plans, such as using desmopressin (a hormone supplement that reduces the production of urine) and psychological interventions (such as parents rewarding the child for agreed behaviour, rather than for dry nights).
MoJ: Individuals & organisations are being asked to comment on how a reformed national coroners' system will work in practice, in a consultation (closes on 1 July 2010). The consultation calls for views on how the changes to the system, which were introduced in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, should be implemented.
Ideas & comments received as part of the consultation will be used to inform secondary legislation & national guidance to allow the new system to be ready by April 2012.
Ideas & comments received as part of the consultation will be used to inform secondary legislation & national guidance to allow the new system to be ready by April 2012.
Press release ~ Reform of coroner system consultation ~ Coroners and Justice Act 2009 ~ MoJ: Coroners
NICE: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published a draft clinical guideline on the use of ablative therapies for the treatment of Barrett’s oesophagus. This is the first time national guidelines have considered the use of these therapies to treat Barrett’s oesophagus and NICE is now opening a consultation on the draft recommendations (closes on Wednesday 7 April 2010).
