WIREDGOV

Guidance Notes and Best Practice Guides

Defra:  Pregnant women should avoid close contact with animals that are giving birth, the Government advised recently.    Pregnant women who come into close contact with sheep during lambing may risk their own health, and that of their unborn child, from infections that can occur in some ewes.

It is also important to note that these risks are not only confined to the spring (when the majority of lambs are born), nor are the risks only associated with sheep: cows & goats that have recently given birth can also carry similar infections.

Press release & links

CLG:  As statistics show that half of all accidental house fires were caused by faulty or misused electrical equipment in 2010/11, the Fire Kills campaign is highlighting a smartphone app from the Electrical Safety Council which will help people defuse the danger in their homes.

From faulty fridges & forgotten irons, to overloaded plugs & dodgy wiring - electrical equipment can be an unnoticed fire hazard in the home.  And with the recent cold weather, many sockets could still be overloaded with additional space heaters and electric blankets.  The app helps people identify risks in their home and offers advice on resolving them.

Press release & links

DfT:  New powers to help councils cut the disruption caused by road works have been announced by Transport Minister Norman Baker.  Under ‘lane rental’ schemes councils will be able to charge utility companies up to £2,500 a day to dig up the busiest roads during peak times when road works cause the most disruption. 

Following consultation, the Department for Transport has published guidance for local authorities wanting to put lane rental schemes in place.  In order to gather evidence on the effectiveness of lane rental, the Department has proposed that schemes should initially be used in up to 3 pioneer authorities - one metropolitan area and two others - and is inviting applications from interested local authorities.

Press release & links ~ Guidance

NE:  As the current Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) draws closer to its December 2013 end date, Natural England has developed a comprehensive package of information for farmers & agents on Environmental Stewardship (ES).

The package provides comprehensive details & a timetable of how ES will be implemented through the next 2 financial years. It has been produced to equip farmers, land managers, agents & partners with a clear understanding of the key issues & deadlines for the remainder of the current RD programme. 

Press release & links

WAG:  New guidance designed to ensure school toilet facilities are of the highest standards has been published by the Welsh Government.  

The guidance is designed to inform local authorities & school governing bodies of their roles & responsibilities in ensuring that school toilets are adequate for children & young people. This includes spreading good practice on improving general toilet facilities while stressing the importance of good hygiene, particularly hand washing.

Press release & links

NICE:  New recommendations on the use of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) for the treatment of adults & children with epilepsy have been set out, in updated NICE guidelines.  The update describes how & when newer AEDs should be considered alongside older medicines, and can help GPs ensure they are prescribing treatments that are effective both clinically and cost effective.

Press release & links

NICE:  4 new generation cardiac computed tomography (CT) scanners can now be used by the NHS to help diagnose & manage patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who are difficult to image, says NICE.

NICE has approved the use of the new generation CT scanners because they have a number of advantages over the older type CT scanners for people with CAD in whom imaging is difficult, allowing them to produce better images and in a shorter period of time, within one or two heartbeats

Press release & links

BIG:  The Big Lottery Fund has published 7 good practice guides for organisations working with young people.  The new downloadable publications share learning & practical examples from projects supported by the Young People’s Fund – See ‘Charities / Voluntary Organisations / Third Sector’ section for more information.

SGC:  The Sentencing Council has published a new guideline for judges & magistrates on the sentencing of drug offences, which will come into effect on 27 February 2012 – See ‘Legislation / Legal’ section for more information.