Alternative Email Address for Submissions to the Primary Care Infrastructure Fund
NHS England are experiencing some technical problems with the mailbox they set up to receive applications for the 2015/16 tranche of premises infrastructure funding. They are trying to remedy the problem but, in the meantime, ask everyone to please submit applications to this email address: Englandgppremisesfund2@nhs.net.

Increase in Scarlet Fever Incidence
Please be aware that you may see an increase in demand for appointments from patients who suspect they may have scarlet fever as following Public Health England advice (issued through schools, press etc) that any patients displaying symptoms of scarlet fever should contact their GP. PHE have provided these FAQs. This is a direct response to the increase in new cases of scarlet fever across England with 1265 new cases reported in the first 6 weeks of 2015 compared to 762 in the same period last year. In the North East there were 104 cases in the first 6 weeks of 2015 compared to 64 last year. Steep increases in scarlet fever activity are being seen across the country, with over 300 cases reported last week (2 to 9 February 2015). The press message from Dr Theresa Lamagni, PHE’s head of streptococcal infection surveillance, was:  ‘As we enter into high season for scarlet fever, we ask GPs and other frontline medical staff to be mindful of the current high levels of scarlet fever activity when assessing patients. Prompt notification of cases to local health protection teams is critical to enable local monitoring and rapid response to outbreaks. Schools and nurseries should similarly be mindful of the current elevated levels of scarlet fever and promptly inform local health protection teams at an early stage if they become aware of cases, especially if more than 1 child is affected.

The first symptoms of scarlet fever include a sore throat and fever which may be accompanied by a headache, nausea and vomiting. Between 12 to 48 hours after this, a characteristic fine, sandpapery rash develops, often appearing first on the chest or stomach. Cases are more common in children although adults of all ages can also develop scarlet fever. Individuals who think they or their child may have scarlet fever should consult their GP. Symptoms usually clear up after a week and in the majority of cases remain reasonably mild providing a course of antibiotics is completed to reduce the risk of complications.

As scarlet fever is highly contagious, children or adults diagnosed with scarlet fever are advised to stay at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid passing on the infection. For families and friends caring for someone with scarlet fever, the risk of spread can be reduced through frequent hand washing and ensuring clothes, bedding, towels and cutlery are not shared between members of the household.

PHE local health protection teams are on hand to provide authoritative advice and rapid response where outbreaks are detected. We will continue to closely monitor these increases both nationally and locally and work with healthcare professionals and schools to raise awareness and halt the spread of infection.’

DH Consultation, NHS Constitution
The Department of Health would like to hear from a wide range of patients and service users on the updates to the NHS Constitution which sets out

• rights to which patients, public and staff are entitled

• responsibilities owed to each other to ensure the NHS operates fairly and effectively.

This consultation proposes to amend the NHS Constitution to respond to recommendations made by Sir Robert Francis QC and to:

• give greater prominence to mental health

• reflect the importance of access to transparent and comparable data

• include the Armed Forces Covenant

• reflect the new fundamental standards in April 2015

The NHS Constitution applies to all those who use its many services. During this consultation exercise, the Dept. of Health want to hear from people to help to define and enshrine the values of the NHS for years to come.  Please find more information here. All responses should be sent to NHSConstitution@dh.gsi.gov.uk or NHS Constitution Tea, Richmond House, 79 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2NS