Consultations
MCA: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has launched a public consultation (closes on 22 March 2010) on proposals for new legislation to regulate ship-to-ship transfers (STS) and bunkering operations of oil in UK waters. The legislation will regulate transfers of cargo consisting wholly or mainly of oil, between ships in UK territorial water.
Monitor: Monitor, the independent regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts, is launching a consultation (closes on Tuesday 6 April 2010) which proposes enhancing the assessment of quality governance in Trusts applying for foundation status and sets out a ‘quality governance framework’ for Boards.
The proposed new quality framework will help Boards meet this challenge by enabling them to self-assess their approach on managing quality. Monitor will then test & challenge this evaluation during the assessment process. The framework is set out as a series of 10 key questions, which test applicants’ approach to quality in 4 areas and provides examples of good practice for each area.
NICE: In draft guidance, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has been unable to recommend everolimus (afinitor, Novartis) for the second line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma.
This draft guidance is now available for public consultation and consultees, healthcare professionals & members of the public are able to comment on the recommendations until 2 March 2010.
NICE: Following the previous public consultation & subsequent independent Appraisal Committee meeting on 13 January 2010, both National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the appraisal committee agreed to split the appraisal of dasatinib and nilotinib for chronic myeloid leukaemia into 2 separate appraisals.
NICE is about to start a review of its current guidance on high dose imatinib for chronic myeloid leukaemia (TA70), so this review will now incorporate an appraisal of dasatinib & nilotinib compared with high dose imatinib for people who are 'resistant' to standard imatinib treatment. The current appraisal will continue for 'imatinib intolerant' people only.
In its latest draft NICE does not recommend dasatinib and nilotinib for chronic myeloid leukaemia in patients who are intolerant to imatinib. These draft recommendations are now open to public consultation (by 2 March 2010)) and the manufacturers have been given the opportunity to provide further evidence for the independent committee to consider at its next meeting, on 9 March 2010. Following this meeting the next draft guidance will be issued.
Press release ~ Imatinib-intolerant chronic myeloid leukaemia - dasatinib and nilotinib (scroll down)
Defra: A Defra consultation (closes 4 May 2010) is seeking views on how to implement the European Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides, which covers areas including the training of pesticide users, inspection of spraying equipment and minimising the risk of pollution from pesticides.
The consultation also puts forward options on access to information about pesticides used near homes and how people could be given the option to obtain this information.
The consultation also puts forward options on access to information about pesticides used near homes and how people could be given the option to obtain this information.
Press release ~ Consultation on implementing European pesticides legislation ~ EU: Sustainable Use of Pesticides
DWP: Thousands of people with serious industrial diseases, who miss out because they cannot trace their employers’ insurance records, should be able to claim compensation following Government proposals announced last week. A voluntary Code of Practice for tracing Employers’ Liability insurance policies, set up in 1999 has led to some improvements, but many individuals are still left without help.
In a consultation paper (closes 5 May 2010)the DWP sets out plans to create an:
* Employers’ Liability Tracing Office to help people track down their employers’ liability insurance policies
* Employers’ Liability Insurance Bureau to provide a fund of last resort for those who are unable to trace them
Press release ~ Accessing Compensation – supporting people who need to trace Employers’ Liability Insurance ~ Code of Practice for tracing Employers’ Liability insurance policies
DCSF: Parents will be expected to sign up to school behaviour policies. The proposals mean schools’ policies will be brought to the attention of parents before they apply for a place. Under the plans out for consultation (closes on 25 March 2010) parents will also be asked to agree to other policies, such as attendance & uniform, as part of the application process.
If accepted, the changes will be brought into force by the end of May 2010 to coincide with the proposed introduction of the amended school information regulations. This would also allow local authorities sufficient time to make the necessary amendments to their co-ordinated admissions scheme & common application form, prior to applications for school places being made for 2011/12 – the deadline for secondary applications being in autumn 2010.
Press release ~ Draft School Admissions (Co-ordination of Admission Arrangements) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2010
LLUK: Following on from the successful review of the National Occupational Standards for Learning and Development, draft Units of Assessment for the QCF & CQFW have been produced for new qualifications for Assessors and those with responsibility for Internal & External Quality Assurance. This web based consultation is now open until 4.30pm on 26 February 2010.
DCSF: All local authorities will be required to provide short breaks for parents & carers who look after a disabled child, under plans announced last week by the government. The public consultation (closes on Monday 26 April 2010) will, if agreed, mean all local authorities are required to provide short break services for parents who care for disabled children – See ‘In the News’ section for more information.
