Chris Beasley has been appointed England’s new chief nursing officer, with a top priority to improve hospital cleanliness and tackle MRSA and other hospital infections. She replaces Sarah Mullally, who left the Department of Health to join the Church of England. Beazley began her career in nursing in 1962 at the Royal London Hospital, and has held a wide range of nursing roles in hospitals and the community. Her most recent roles were as the NHS Modernisation Agency’s director of partnership development and then interim head of the agency.

Professor Bob Fryer is to take up a new position to champion learning across the NHS. Fryer, who is currently chief executive of NHSU, will become national director for widening participation in learning. Following the start of his appointment from January 2005, he will act as a learning champion, spearheading a major programme to broaden participation in learning for existing NHS staff as well as amongst people seeking to take up professional careers in health and social care.

Hossam Abdalla, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist and director of the assisted conception unit at the Lister Hospital in London, is to join the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). Professor Christopher Barratt, Sara Nathan and Sharmila Nebhrajani have all agreed to serve another three-year term.

Alan Burns, chief executive of Trent Strategic Health Authority, has been appointed to a new role leading the service implementation of the National Programme for IT into the NHS.  The role is a 15-month secondment combining three days a week at the national programme with his existing SHA role.

COMMITTEES

NEW INQUIRIES

Education and Skills Select Committee

Teaching Children to Read
MPs will consider departmental policy and guidance on this issue, with particular focus on the teaching of children up to Key Stage 3, and will report on what changes, if any, are needed.  The deadline for written submissions was December 6.
Evidence session:
November 15 – Dr Morag Stuart, reader in psychology, Institute of Education, University of London; Debbie Hepplewhite, Reading Reform Foundation.

Health Select Committee

The Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Hospitalised Patients
MPs have agreed to a short inquiry into preventing Venous Thromboembolism in hospitalised patients.  The deadline for written evidence was November 25.

New Developments in HIV/Aids
and Sexual Health Policy
MPs will specifically focus on the consequences of new and proposed changes in charges for overseas patients with regards to accessing HIV/Aids services, and the progress made in implementing the recommendations from the committee’s previous inquiry into sexual health.  The deadline for written evidence is December 21.

Science and Technology Committee

Research Councils UK
MPs have decided to hold a one-off scrutiny session in February, to conclude their work on the research councils.  Interested parties are invited to submit written evidence to the committee by January 19 2005.

Transport Select Committee

Disabled People’s Access to Transport
A year after the committee’s first report on this issue, MPs have decided to look at what progress has been made, and how the Disability Discrimination Act is being implemented in this area.  The deadline for written evidence was November 22.

NEW REPORTS

Health Select Committee: HC 696-I - The Provision of Allergy Services

Public Accounts Select Committee: HC 296 – The Management of Suspensions of Clinical Staff in NHS Hospitals and Ambulance Trusts in England