News
Audit Commission to close
Posted August 2010
The Government has announced the closure of the Audit Commission from 2012 saying that it has "more than fulfilled its goals". The move is set to save an estimated £50 million a year.
Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary said, "Rather than being a watchdog that champions taxpayers' interests, it has become the creature of the Whitehall state." The Audit Commission said that the announcement had "come out of the blue".
The Audit Commission was set up by Michael Heseltine in 1983. The Commission has had a number of successes namely the rate capping scandals in Lambeth and Liverpool, the gerrymandering for votes scandal in Westminster and more recently the detection of over £200 million of fraud through the National Fraud Initiative.
Mr Pickles announced that whilst the Commissions research function would stop, there would be a "new audit framework" for local health services. He went on to say that "Audit should remain to ensure tax payers's money is properly spent, but this can be done in a competitive environment, drawing on professional audit expertise across the country".
Feedback on Classification Service Co-morbidity guidance
Posted August 2010
The CfH National Classification Service is seeking feedback on the co-morbidity guidance issued in the coding clinic in March 2010 (volume 6, Issue 6). The NCS is meeting again in September to progress with the next phase of the project. Feedback from the service is required by the 17th August. The Association is collating members views. If you are a member and would like to comment on the attached comorbities list you can download a grid for comments from this link. You should have communicated your comments to the Association by the 15th August if you would like them included.
Review of Arms Length Bodies
Posted August 2010
The secretary of state for health, Andrew Lansley, has announced a cull of 'quangos' to save £180m in the health sector by 2014-15.
Subject to Parliamentary approval, organisations, which are not required, will be removed, with essential work moved to other bodies. The cull will claim high-profile organisations such as the Health Protection Agency, the National Patient Safety Agency, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the Food Standards Authority, the Alcohol Education and Research Council and the Health Protection Agency.
The NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care (NHS IC) will be retained and put on a firmer statutory footing. It will become a "national repository for data collection across healthcare, public health and adult social care" as outlined in the white paper. It will also have a "clearer focus on data collection" and a close working relationship with the new NHS Commissioning Board, which the white paper proposes to make responsible for information governance, data quality and systems interoperability.
NHS Connecting for Health was not included in the review.
WHO and IHTSDO Announcement
Posted July 2010
The WHO have made the following announcement (dated 22/07/2010). "WHO and the International Health Terminology Standards Developement Organisation (IHTSDO) have worked on a collaborative arrangement to link the WHO Family of Classifications and Systematised Nomenclature of Medicine - Clinical Terms (SNOMED-CT). This arrangement enables the linkage of terminologies and classifications. In the era of computerisation of health information and electronic health records, it represents a major achievement." The IHTSDO has also issued a press release which states "Copenhagen, Denmark, July 22,2010. - The International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation (IHTSDO) announced today a collaborative arrangment with the World Health Organsiation (WHO) to harmonize WHO classifications and SNOMED-CT for the benefit of citizens around the world." Members can read the WHO announcement and the IHTSDO press release here. If you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area.)
Implementation of latest version of ICD-10
Posted July 2010
The coalition government has made clear its intentions to implement the latest version of ICD-10 Edition 2 in the NHS in 2012/13. It sets out its plans in the White Paper "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS". For more information see the Association Newsletter, Inform July 2010. To view the White Paper itself click here. (Please contact webmaster@paccuk.org if you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area.)
Coalition sets out its plans for the NHS
Posted July 2010
The coalition government has set out plans for the NHS in a white paper entitled "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS". It describres a process for devolving power from government, making the NHS more accountable to patients and reducing bureaucracy. More information can be found in the Association Newsletter, Inform July 2010. (Please contact webmaster@paccuk.org if you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area.)To view the White Paper itself click here.
The Association Newsletter
Posted July 2010
The Association has launched an e-Newsletter for members. This is an intermittent publication and members can access it via the Inform page in the members section of this site.
Coding Clinic
Posted July 2010
The Volume 7 Issue 4 June 2010 NHS CFH Coding Clinic has just been published. It is available for download from the NHS CFH Classifications website.(Members can access a direct link from the National Standards page in the members section . Contact webmaster@paccuk.org if you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area.)
Coding Clinic
Posted July 2010
The Volume 7 Issue 3 June 2010 NHS CFH Coding Clinic has just been published. It is available for download from the NHS CFH Classifications website.(Members can access a direct link from the National Standards page in the members section . Contact webmaster@paccuk.org if you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area.)
Coding Clinic
Posted June 2010
The Volume 7 Issue 2 May 2010 NHS CFH Coding Clinic has just been published. It is available for download from the NHS CFH Classifications website.(Members can access a direct link from the National Standards page in the members section . Contact webmaster@paccuk.org if you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area.)
Clinical Coding Acadamies
Posted May 2010
As part of the on-going collaboration with clinical coders and those involved in their professional training. The NHS Classifications Service is developing Clinical Coding Academies as a way forward to enhance the future training needs of those working daily in the field. The first three Academies are with Calderdale and Huddersfied, London, and Cheshire and Merseyside; with a number of other training teams already keen to be part of the next phase. An oversight steering group, of which the PACC-UK is an active member, is helping to shape that development. In colloration with the NHS Information Centre, the plan is to look at the wider Education, Training and Development needs of the clinical coders and be able to respond to these through the Academy structure. For further details see www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/systemsandservices/data/clinicalcoding/trainingaccred.
Education, Training and Development
Posted May 2010
At the Associations INSIGHT 2010, as part of his presentation, Brian Derry, Executive Director at the NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care (NHS IC) indicated that the NHS IC would be taking a more active role for clinical coding education, training and development from the NHS Connecting for Health.
NCCQ
Posted April 2010
The Association has recently learned that NHS Connecting for Health, Classifications Service have agreed with the IHRIM(UK) that those wishing to take the National Clinical Coding QUalification must first join IHRIM(UK). This is a change to previous practice where IHRIM(UK) offered a one year free membership to those undertaking the NCCQ as part of the cost of the NCCQ. This means that the cost of the NCCQ is now £350.00 (for NHS employees) or £450.00 (for non-NHS employees) plus an additional £90.48 for IHRIM(UK) annual student membership.
Coding Clinic
Posted March 2010
The Volume 6 Issue 7 March 2010 NHS CFH Coding Clinic has just been published. It is available for download from the NHS CFH Classifications website.(Members can access a direct link from the National Standards page in the members section . Contact webmaster@paccuk.org if you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area.)
Coding Clinic
Posted March 2010
The Volume 6 Issue 6 March 2010 NHS CFH Coding Clinic has just been published. It is available for download from the NHS CFH Classifications website.(Members can access a direct link from the National Standards page in the members section . Contact webmaster@paccuk.org if you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area.) This is an important coding clinic outlining the new national standards pertaining to the mandated recording of over 60 comorbidities if recorded in the record from the 1st April 2010.
High Cost Drugs list and Chemotherapy Regimen Lists 2010
Posted March 2010
The NHS CfH has issued the latest version of the high cost drugs list and chemotherapy regimens list for use in 2010.These are available via the TRUD service. (Members can access a direct link from the National Standards page in the Members section . Contact webmaster@paccuk.org if you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area.)
Coding Clinic
Posted February 2010
The Volume 6 Issue 5 February 2010 NHS CFH Coding Clinic has just been published. It is available for download from the NHS CFH Classifications website.(Members can access a direct link from the National Standards page in the members section . Contact webmaster@paccuk.org if you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area.)
INSIGHT 2010 - Orthopaedics
Posted February 2010
This years INSIGHT event will be on the subject of Orthopaedics. The event will take place at the Methodist International Centre in Euston Street, London on the 17th May 2010. Topics will include surgery of the spine, the shoulder and the foot.
Booking for members has opened and booking for non-members will open on the 31st March (although non-members may reserve a place). Places will be offered thereafteron a first-come first-served basis. For more information, to reserve a place or to download an application please visit the Events page of this site.
Coding Clinic
Posted January 2010
The Volume 6 Issue 4 January 2010 NHS CFH Coding Clinic has just been published. It is available for download from the NHS CFH Classifications website.(Members can access a direct link from the National Standards page in the members section . Contact webmaster@paccuk.org if you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area.)
INSIGHT 2010
Posted December 2009
INSIGHT 2010 has been announced. The event will take place in London in May 2010. The subject of the event will be Orthopaedics. Priority booking for members will open in January 2010.
NCCQ Examination results
Posted December 2009
The results for the November 2009 NCCQ examinations have been published. Congratulations to all those who have passed. If you are an Associate member and have passed the NCCQ contact us to upgrade your membership for free. Contact enquiries@paccuk.org. If you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area, first ensure that your membership is up to date (has been renewed). If you are still having difficulty please contact webmaster@paccuk.org.
Coding Clinic
Posted October 2009
The Volume 6 Issue 3 October 2009 NHS CFH Coding Clinic has just been published. It is available for download from the NHS CFH Classifications website.(Members can access a direct link from the National Standards page in the members section . Contact webmaster@paccuk.org if you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area.)
Coding Clinic
Posted September 2009
The Volume 6 Issue 2 September 2009 NHS CFH Coding Clinic has just been published. It is available for download from the NHS CFH Classifications website.(Members can access a direct link from the National Standards page in the members section . Contact webmaster@paccuk.org if you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area.)
OPCS 4.6
Posted September 2009
NHS CfH have announced that the update to OPCS 4.5 (OPCS-4.6) will not now be released until early in 2011 with an expected implementation date of the 1st April 2011.
NHS CfH reported on their website that the decision was taken by OPCS-4 Editorial Board following a review of submissions. NB: Submissions can still be provided through the OPCS portal for consideration.
New Website launched
Posted September 2009
The new look Association website has been launched. The Association has also re-launched the Forum. Non-members of the association have a limited access as a guest to the forum but members with current subscriptions will have full use of the site. If your membership has lapsed or is about to, please ensure you renew to continue your access to the additional elements of the site including the Inform pages, the comprehensive abbreviations lists, numerous links to clinical specialty sites and NHS, DH or related organisations and much more.
Coding Clinic
Posted June 2009
The Volume 6 Issue 1 June 2009 NHS CFH Coding Clinic has just been published. It is available for download from the NHS CFH Classifications website.(Members can access a direct link from the Members area Links Page. Contact webmaster@paccuk.org if you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area.)
Misrepresentation
Posted May 2009
It has been alleged that clinical coding managers are being pressured to alter clinical coding against National Standards. The specific example being alleged is to code cardiac catheterisation (OPCS 4.5 K63.-) in combination with percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). This is a representation that is not in accordance with rules established by NHS CfH National Standards which appears to be done knowingly, resulting in potential financial benefit to the Trust and which is not the result of negligence. Commissioners can identify organisations that may be misrepresenting this activity by reviewing data for increased occurences of K63.- in their post April 1st 2009 data as compared with previous years activity.
Chemotherapy and High Cost Drugs Lists
Posted March 2009
The April 2009 NHS CFH Chemotherapy regimens and High Cost Drugs lists have just been published. They are available for download from the NHS CFH Classifications website.(Members can access a direct link from Members area Links Page. Contact webmaster@paccuk.org if you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area.)
Coding Clinic
Posted March 2009
The Volume 5 Issue 5 March 2009 NHS CFH Coding Clinic has just been published. It is available for download from the NHS CFH Classifications website.(Members can access a direct link from the Members area Links Page. Contact webmaster@paccuk.org if you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area.)
OPCS 4.5
Posted March 2009
The NHS CfH have announced that the updated OPCS-4 Clinical Coding Instruction Manual to be known as Version 3.0, will be released at the end March 2009. The updated instruction manual will be produced in a book format . The NHS CfH NCS have announced that there are no plans to update the ICD-10 Clinical Coding Instruction Manual (Version 2.0) at the present time.
Coding Clinic
Posted February 2009
The Volume 5 Issue 4 February 2009 NHS CFH Coding Clinic has just been published. It is available for download from the NHS CFH Classifications website.(Members can access a direct link from the Members area Links Page. Contact webmaster@paccuk.org if you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area.)
OPCS 4.5
Posted February 2009
OPCS 4.5 is now available from The Stationary Office (TSO): Tabular List Volume I, Alphabetical Index Volume II: Or as a combined pack The NHS CfH NCS has also announced that in addition to the updated OPCS-4.5 and the chemotherapy regimens list, there will be a separate OPCS-4.5 high cost drugs list. Both documents will be available from the NHS CfH NCS website March.
Coding Clinic
Posted February 2009
The Volume 5 Issue 3 February 2009 NHS CFH Coding Clinic has just been published. It is available for download from the NHS CFH Classifications website.(Members can access a direct link from the Members area Links Page. Contact webmaster@paccuk.org if you are a member and are having difficulty logging in to the Members area.)
OPCS 4.5
Posted January 2009
The NHS CfH NCS has announced the publication date for OPCS 4.5 will be the 9th February 2009. The updated scheme will be available from The Stationary Office (TSO).
The updated Chemotherapy and High Cost Drugs lists will also be available in February.
The updated OPCS 4 Clinical Coding Instruction Manual will be published in March.