NICE publishes quality improvement guide on preventing and controlling healthcare associated infections

NICE publishes quality improvement guide on preventing and controlling healthcare associated infections: NICE has today (9 November) published its quality improvement guide on the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) in secondary care settings. Produced in partnership with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) as part of a pilot project, the guide identifies the organisational characteristics, arrangements and practices that describe excellence in care and practice to prevent and control HCAIs. Health Protection Agency

NHS 'among best health care systems in the world'

NHS 'among best health care systems in the world': Britain has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, according to results of an international survey published today.

You can find the report here.

The Telegraph

Patients Association launches damning report into poor care in England’s Hospitals.

Patients Association launches damning report into poor care in England’s Hospitals.:
The Patients Association today launches its report “We’ve been listening, have you been learning?” which details sixteen accounts of poor hospital care heard by its Helpline in the last year.
The report contains some shocking accounts of care received by patients in hospitals across the country, focusing on four key fundamentals of care-communication, access to pain relief, assistance with toileting and help with eating and drinking.

Launching the report Angela Rippon OBE, Vice President of the Patients Association said “This report raises serious issues about the quality of care that patients are receiving on our hospital wards. It’s not enough for hospitals to say that they have recognised care hasn’t been good enough in the past and promise improvements for the future.”
Speaking about the launch of the report Patients Association Chief Executive Katherine Murphy said “The accounts of care contained in this report shame everyone involved. It’s simply not good enough for this report to be recognised and then business to carry on as usual. There needs to be a culture shift in the way we treat patients on our wards. I would continue to urge patients or relatives experiencing similar care to contact our Helpline on 08456 08 44 55. ”

You can find the report here.

'Shameful' elderly care detailed

'Shameful' elderly care detailed: A dossier containing "shameful" stories about the care elderly patients receive in hospitals in England has been published by campaigners. BBC News

DH pilot finds mixed mobile benefits

DH pilot finds mixed mobile benefits: The Department of Health's clinical lead on mobile solutions has warned NHS trusts not to expect immediate results from mobile working. E-Health Insider

Don't rely on info strategy: Davis

Don't rely on info strategy: Davis: The much delayed NHS information strategy will not be published until the "winter" and is unlikely to provide the detailed roadmap for the future of NHS technology and IT systems that some have been hoping for. E-Health Insider

Commissioning stepped care for people with common mental health disorders

Commissioning stepped care for people with common mental health disorders:

This guide is the latest in a series of good practice guides to support commissioners in designing high quality, evidence-based services to improve outcomes for patients and to help the NHS make better use of its resources. It draws on the recent NICE clinical guideline on the identification of and pathways to care for common mental health disorders, as well as other relevant NICE guidance and quality standards.

• Full interactive guide for commissioners


• Commissioning and benchmarking tool


• Links to related documents


• NICE - press release

Kings Fund

Telehealth and telecare

Telehealth and telecare:

This new section of The King's Fund website collates the evidence for telehealth and telecare, including blogs, publications and a free telehealth evidence database

Web page

Kings Fund

Nurses must respect patients: new campaign

Nurses must respect patients: new campaign: Nurses need to respect patients' "basic human rights" and treat them with dignity, according to a new hospital care campaign. The Telegraph

Report reveals 'shameful' neglect of NHS patients

Report reveals 'shameful' neglect of NHS patients:

Harrowing stories of neglect and abuse in NHS hospitals are published by the Patients Association today in a damning report calling for immediate action to improve basic NHS care. The Indepedent

RCN: Get the skill mix right

RCN: Get the skill mix right: The RCN’s views on nurse staffing levels and skill mix were discussed on primetime BBC television last night (7 November). Royal College of Nursing