Guidance Notes and Best Practice Guides

NICEMore women can receive appropriate & timely fertility treatment such as IVF, following updated guidelines from NICE. The condition affects around 1 in 7 heterosexual couples, with both the number of people affected by fertility problems, and those seeking help for them, increasing over the past decade.
 
In the previous 2004 fertility guideline, NICE said that IVF treatment should not be recommended for women older than 39. Under the updated recommendations, NICE says that under certain criteria, women aged between 40 & 42 years should be offered one full cycle of IVF with or without intracytoplasmic sperm, if they have not conceived after 2 years of regular unprotected intercourse, or 12 cycles of artificial insemination where six or more are by intrauterine insemination.
Press release & links
 
LSIS: Following research into the evolving environment of the FE & Skills sector, Learning & Skills Improvement Serviceshas produced a guide called Emerging Models of Delivery across the FE & Skills sector and the accompanying Decision Makers Support Package, both of which are available to download from the LSIS website.
 
The two publications have been written for senior managers of colleges who are considering changing their legal structure or reviewing their vision & purpose, however, the information may be of use to other providers.
Press release & links
 
Monitor: Monitor moved a step closer to improving the pricing of NHS-funded services last week by issuing guidance to providers about how to allocate the cost of their services to individual patients. The guidance is designed to help NHS-funded providers comply with the relevant pricing elements of Monitor’s new licence when it comes into force on 1 April 2013.
Press release & links
 
LSIS: LSIS's 4th & final toolkit on quality & the learner experience is now available to download. The toolkit aims to help providers ensure a positive learner experience and refine their quality assurance procedures in relation to the 24+ Advanced Learning Loans.
 
In addition, new online seminars have been launched by Learning & Skills Improvement Servicesto help providers improve their understanding of the Loans - (See press release for dates & details).
Press release & links
 
HSE: The Health & Safety Executive has published new draft guidance to help employers get to grips with proposed changes to workplace first aid. 2 pieces of guidance have been published on the HSE website following a consultation on proposals to amend the First Aid Regulations (1981) and remove the requirement for HSE to approve first aid training providers.  The changes are expected to take effect on 1 October 2013, subject to final approval by the HSE Board & Ministers.
Press release & links
 
RoSPA: The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has joined forces with a number of other organisations to update Road Safety: A Guide for Local Councillors in England: identifying high risk road users, common causes of accidents, and the most effective ways to stop people being killed or hurt.

It has been revised against the backdrop of significant cuts to public spending and a first rise in road deaths for almost a decade. The guide demonstrates how local authorities can continue to deliver effective road safety services by: using evidence; coordinating with other public services; designing & delivering projects in partnership, and evaluating the effectiveness of their work.
Press release & links
 
EU News: The European Commission services have published an updated guide to explain how EU rules in the fields of state aid, public procurement and the internal market apply to services of general economic interest (SGEI).  The document provides useful guidance for the provision of social services, in addition to other SGEI – See ‘EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc’ section for more information
 
EU News: The European Commission will not prolong or renew the current maritime guidelines, which will therefore expire on 26 September 2013   See ‘EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc’ section for more information
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