Tuesday, 31 July 2012
Disabled people 'feel hostility'
Disabled people 'feel hostility': A survey by the charity Scope suggests many disabled people feel media coverage about benefit cheats has a negative impact on them. BBC News
A&E quality indicators for England by provider, March 2012
A&E quality indicators for England by provider, March 2012: This data covers A&E attendances in March 2012 and draws on 1.53m detailed records of attendances at major A&E departments, single speciality A&E departments (eg dental A&Es), minor injury units and walk-in centres in England. NHS Information Centre
Diabetic foot care 'appalling'
Diabetic foot care 'appalling': Patients with diabetes are at increased risk of having a foot amputated because of an "appalling" lack of specialist services, according to Diabetes UK. BBC News
Viewpoint: GPs at the heart of health and social care integration
Viewpoint: GPs at the heart of health and social care integration: Dr Lisa Bostock, from the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), writes about the work that professionals are doing to generate health and social care integration. GP Online
NIHR publishes 2012 league table on NHS Trust research activity
NIHR publishes 2012 league table on NHS Trust research activity: The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Clinical Research Network has published its 2012 league table, showing the extent of clinical research activity across the NHS in England. It details the number of studies undertaken by each individual Trust, and the number of patients they recruit into those studies. It also shows who is leading the way in delivering clinical research opportunities for patients and which Trusts have made a significant step-change in their research activity. National Institute for Health Research
Ensuring education reform enhances patient outcome: providers' planning and driving a workforce budget of £5bn
Ensuring education reform enhances patient outcome: providers' planning and driving a workforce budget of £5bn:
This briefing looks at how the creation of Health Education England and Local Education and Training Boards provides the opportunity for employers to ensure that the £5 billion annual national investment in education and training delivers the best possible patient outcome.
This briefing looks at how the creation of Health Education England and Local Education and Training Boards provides the opportunity for employers to ensure that the £5 billion annual national investment in education and training delivers the best possible patient outcome.
Pay framework for very senior managers in strategic and SHAs, PCTs and ambulance trusts
Pay framework for very senior managers in strategic and SHAs, PCTs and ambulance trusts:
This framework has been updated to include the pay rates in the clustered SHAs.
This framework has been updated to include the pay rates in the clustered SHAs.
Gaps in TB screening in the UK
Gaps in TB screening in the UK:
Experts fear that people most at risk of developing tuberculosis are not being screened in some parts of the UK.
As latest statistics show a rise in new cases of TB, there are growing concerns the national programme for high-risk groups is not being implemented in areas with the highest incidence.Professor Ibrahim Abubakar, head of the TB section at the Health Protection Agency (HPA), said guidance from the... Healthcare Today
Experts fear that people most at risk of developing tuberculosis are not being screened in some parts of the UK.
As latest statistics show a rise in new cases of TB, there are growing concerns the national programme for high-risk groups is not being implemented in areas with the highest incidence.Professor Ibrahim Abubakar, head of the TB section at the Health Protection Agency (HPA), said guidance from the... Healthcare Today
Bankruptcy and criminal record may be no bar to top NHS roles - The Guardian
Bankruptcy and criminal record may be no bar to top NHS roles - The Guardian:
 The Guardian | Bankruptcy and criminal record may be no bar to top NHS roles The Guardian Officials said that while the requirement could not be "relaxed" for foundation trusts without primary legislation Monitor believes that other healthcare providers – such as mental health trusts or private companies – should not have to meet the same ... Monitor drops controversial credit rating planHealth Service Journal all 4 news articles » |
Care Quality Commission critic can stay on board, rules Andrew Lansley
Care Quality Commission critic can stay on board, rules Andrew Lansley:
Kay Sheldon said executives put personal survival above interests of Stafford hospital patients
The director of the health regulator who appeared last year at a public inquiry criticising its chief executive and chair will remain on the board, it has been confirmed. Kay Sheldon told the Francis inquiry into regulatory failure over death rates at Stafford hospital, part of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, that Care Quality Commission executives put "reputation management and personal survival" ahead of patients' best interests, and that she had been rebuffed when she raised this internally.
On the day she gave evidence, the commission's chair, Dame Jo Williams, wrote to Andrew Lansley asking the health secretary to remove Sheldon. Last week Lansley wrote to Sheldon saying he had decided she could stay as a "full and active" non-executive board member. Sheldon said she was "looking forward to the next board meeting in September".
Lansley's decision raises a question over how long Williams can stay on the commission's board. The CQC has had a difficult year. It came under fire not only in the Francis inquiry but also from MPs and an internal Department of Health review. In February the commission's chief executive, Cynthia Bower, resigned after the health department published a damning assessment of the CQC, supporting many of Sheldon's concerns. The new chief executive, David Behan, the former director general for social care at the Department of Health, began work earlier this month. The Guardian
The director of the health regulator who appeared last year at a public inquiry criticising its chief executive and chair will remain on the board, it has been confirmed. Kay Sheldon told the Francis inquiry into regulatory failure over death rates at Stafford hospital, part of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, that Care Quality Commission executives put "reputation management and personal survival" ahead of patients' best interests, and that she had been rebuffed when she raised this internally.
On the day she gave evidence, the commission's chair, Dame Jo Williams, wrote to Andrew Lansley asking the health secretary to remove Sheldon. Last week Lansley wrote to Sheldon saying he had decided she could stay as a "full and active" non-executive board member. Sheldon said she was "looking forward to the next board meeting in September".
Lansley's decision raises a question over how long Williams can stay on the commission's board. The CQC has had a difficult year. It came under fire not only in the Francis inquiry but also from MPs and an internal Department of Health review. In February the commission's chief executive, Cynthia Bower, resigned after the health department published a damning assessment of the CQC, supporting many of Sheldon's concerns. The new chief executive, David Behan, the former director general for social care at the Department of Health, began work earlier this month. The Guardian
Doctors 'not telling patients benefits of exercise'
Doctors 'not telling patients benefits of exercise': Doctors are failing to advise patients on the benefits of exercise because its teaching is "sparse or non-existent" in medical schools, specialists warn today.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Three-fold variation in number of patients GPs send for cancer tests: figures
Three-fold variation in number of patients GPs send for cancer tests: figures: Thousands of cancer patients may be treated too late because some GPs are three times less likely to refer them to a specialist, official figures have revealed for the first time.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily TelegraphMonday, 30 July 2012
Centre faces criticism over standard of care
Centre faces criticism over standard of care:
Bosses at a health centre have pledged to meet concerned residents after it faced some criticism over standards of care. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Bosses at a health centre have pledged to meet concerned residents after it faced some criticism over standards of care. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Attacks on Northampton General Hospital staff double - Northampton Chronicle & Echo
Attacks on Northampton General Hospital staff double - Northampton Chronicle & Echo:
 Northampton Chronicle & Echo | Attacks on Northampton General Hospital staff double Northampton Chronicle & Echo But he warned NGH was seeing more of these disruptive patients, making it “inevitable” there would be more low level attacks such as “scratching pinching and flailing of arms”.For example up to 70 per cent of NGH patients are aged 65 or over and about ... |
Facing the challenges ahead, together
Facing the challenges ahead, together: Use of quality improvement methods is a prerequisite for organisations wanting to make sustainable cost and quality improvements, says Joy Furnival. Health Foundation
Strategic clinical networks
Strategic clinical networks:
Called strategic clinical networks, these organisations will build on the success of network activity in the NHS which, over the last 10 years, has led to significant improvements in the delivery of patient care.
Strategic clinical networks, hosted and funded by the NHS Commissioning Board, will cover conditions or patient groups where improvements can be made through an integrated, whole system approach. These networks will help local commissioners of NHS care to reduce unwarranted variation in services and encourage innovation. NHS Networks
Called strategic clinical networks, these organisations will build on the success of network activity in the NHS which, over the last 10 years, has led to significant improvements in the delivery of patient care.
Strategic clinical networks, hosted and funded by the NHS Commissioning Board, will cover conditions or patient groups where improvements can be made through an integrated, whole system approach. These networks will help local commissioners of NHS care to reduce unwarranted variation in services and encourage innovation. NHS Networks
Investment in mental health: working age adult and older adult reports
Investment in mental health: working age adult and older adult reports:The Department of Health has published two reports on the investment on mental health services:
The older adult mental health (OPMH) report provides details of the level of investment in mental health services covering people aged 65 and above, in England for 2011/12 and compares it with the reported results in previous years since 2006/07.
- the eleventh annual working age adult (WAA) (PDF, 1284K)
- the older adult mental health (OPMH) report (PDF,987K)
The older adult mental health (OPMH) report provides details of the level of investment in mental health services covering people aged 65 and above, in England for 2011/12 and compares it with the reported results in previous years since 2006/07.
Charities in 'mate crime' warning
Charities in 'mate crime' warning: Fears over the extent of abuse of people with learning disabilities by fake friends, prompt calls by charities for more funding to tackle so-called "mate crime". BBC News
How to use shift systems and workforce planning to effectively reduce agency spend
How to use shift systems and workforce planning to effectively reduce agency spend: Read our newly published guidance on using shift systems and workforce planning to reduce agency costs. NHS Employers
Annual leave is carried forward during long term sickness absence
Annual leave is carried forward during long term sickness absence: The Court of Appeal has decided that where an employee has not been able to take annual leave because of long term sickness absence, that untaken leave should be carried over to the next year. NHS Employers
Resources for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs)
Resources for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs):
These resources are part of the CCG Learning Network that provides online support, resources and information for proposed CCGs. These include guidance and process documents, toolkits and other information around authorisation, governance, establishment and commissioning support.
These resources are part of the CCG Learning Network that provides online support, resources and information for proposed CCGs. These include guidance and process documents, toolkits and other information around authorisation, governance, establishment and commissioning support.
NHS considers organ donation shakeup
NHS considers organ donation shakeup: NHS Blood and Transplant publishes survey seeking views on options including presumed consent and elective ventilation
The NHS is considering its biggest shakeup of the ethical, legal and professional rules governing transplants, floating ideas to prolong the lives of people who have no chance of surviving in order to harvest their organs, and to make people opt out rather than in to the donor register.
The options are included in a survey of medical, scientific and public opinion to be launched this week to test the boundaries of what might be acceptable, as a precursor to significant reforms.
The NHS is considering its biggest shakeup of the ethical, legal and professional rules governing transplants, floating ideas to prolong the lives of people who have no chance of surviving in order to harvest their organs, and to make people opt out rather than in to the donor register.
The options are included in a survey of medical, scientific and public opinion to be launched this week to test the boundaries of what might be acceptable, as a precursor to significant reforms.
Disability tests 'sending sick and disabled back to work'
Disability tests 'sending sick and disabled back to work': People deemed too sick or disabled to work denied benefits due to 'patchy' assessment, report claims
. The Daily Telegraph
. The Daily Telegraph
NHS staff slam 'two-tier system' that allows bosses to receive bonuses while frontline employees fight for their jobs
NHS staff slam 'two-tier system' that allows bosses to receive bonuses while frontline employees fight for their jobs:
NHS workers have accused senior staff of exercising a "two-tier system", after top brass received bumper bonuses while frontline employees fight for their jobs. The Independent
NHS workers have accused senior staff of exercising a "two-tier system", after top brass received bumper bonuses while frontline employees fight for their jobs. The Independent
Shadow doctors to end 'Black Wednesday'
Shadow doctors to end 'Black Wednesday':
Abigail Downing, a 24-year-old junior doctor at Bristol Heart Institute, is pacing the floors of her ward. She checks on each and every one of her 24 patients, arduously writing down every minute detail in their exchange. She is responsible not only for documenting the ins-and-outs of each patient's illness and the happenings on her floor, but today, she is also showing me, how we can put an end to what has been dubbed the National Health Service's "Black Wednesday", once and for all.The Independent
Abigail Downing, a 24-year-old junior doctor at Bristol Heart Institute, is pacing the floors of her ward. She checks on each and every one of her 24 patients, arduously writing down every minute detail in their exchange. She is responsible not only for documenting the ins-and-outs of each patient's illness and the happenings on her floor, but today, she is also showing me, how we can put an end to what has been dubbed the National Health Service's "Black Wednesday", once and for all.The Independent
Whooping cough outbreak continues with 675 new cases reported in June
Whooping cough outbreak continues with 675 new cases reported in June: Confirmed cases of whooping cough in England and Wales reported to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) are continuing to rise, with a further 675 cases reported in June, bringing the total so far this year to 2,466.
Friday, 27 July 2012
Don’t get burned this summer
Don’t get burned this summer:
GPs in Northamptonshire are urging people to make sure they look after themselves in the sun. Evening Telegraph
GPs in Northamptonshire are urging people to make sure they look after themselves in the sun. Evening Telegraph
New lab to speed up treatment of Northamptonshire heart patients
New lab to speed up treatment of Northamptonshire heart patients:
Heart treatment at Kettering General Hospital will be quicker after a third catheter laboratory opened in its cardiac centre. Evening Telegraph
Heart treatment at Kettering General Hospital will be quicker after a third catheter laboratory opened in its cardiac centre. Evening Telegraph
Jumping the gun in the telehealth steeplechase? | Nick Goodwin
Jumping the gun in the telehealth steeplechase? | Nick Goodwin: If the adoption of telehealth were an Olympic sport, it would probably represent the steeplechase – whilst many have been brave enough to try out for the event, most have decided not to enter at all as the barriers to success seem insurmountably steep. Kings Fund
Independent experts set out recommendations to improve children and young people’s health results
Independent experts set out recommendations to improve children and young people’s health results:
The Children and Young People’s Health Outcomes Forum has today published its proposals on how health-related care for children and young people can be improved.
The Children and Young People’s Health Outcomes Forum has today published its proposals on how health-related care for children and young people can be improved.
The Local Health Resilience Partnerships: Implementation information and joint resource pack
The Local Health Resilience Partnerships: Implementation information and joint resource pack:
New arrangements for local health emergency preparedness, resilience and response (EPRR) will commence from 1 April 2013 as part of changes the Health and Social Care Act 2012 makes to the health system.
A key feature of the new arrangements is the formation of Local Health Resilience Partnerships (LHRPs). The Department of Health (DH) has published a letter and resource pack which provides information to support the roll out of LHRPs.
New arrangements for local health emergency preparedness, resilience and response (EPRR) will commence from 1 April 2013 as part of changes the Health and Social Care Act 2012 makes to the health system.
A key feature of the new arrangements is the formation of Local Health Resilience Partnerships (LHRPs). The Department of Health (DH) has published a letter and resource pack which provides information to support the roll out of LHRPs.
Map of CCG authorisation waves
Map of CCG authorisation waves: View our map detailing the boundaries of all 212 clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to see how and when they are set to become authorised. GP Online
"Innovation" is an NHS buzzword. It shouldn't be.
"Innovation" is an NHS buzzword. It shouldn't be.: How the NHS stifles new ideas. Innovation has been an NHS buzzword for quite some time. It's how they think they are going to make money. The word peppers Andrew Lansley's sentences and appears on every NHS website. It turns conference speeches into tongue twisters and makes job titles too long to fit on to name badges. But let's cliche this down. Being innovative is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are . . . you aren't. The NHS ... New Statesman
Preparing for the Francis report: how to assure quality in the NHS
Preparing for the Francis report: how to assure quality in the NHS:
This paper examines how the system of quality assurance, including regulation, needs to evolve, the principles on which it should be built and how it should operate. The authors argue that the system of quality assurance must support the actions and effectiveness of those working at the front line and of those who manage and lead organisations that deliver care. This paper is intended to help to shape the debate about how quality can be assured in future and inform how organisations at every level of the system including government, professional and other regulators, local providers and individual professionals will respond to the challenges that the events at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust have highlighted.
This paper examines how the system of quality assurance, including regulation, needs to evolve, the principles on which it should be built and how it should operate. The authors argue that the system of quality assurance must support the actions and effectiveness of those working at the front line and of those who manage and lead organisations that deliver care. This paper is intended to help to shape the debate about how quality can be assured in future and inform how organisations at every level of the system including government, professional and other regulators, local providers and individual professionals will respond to the challenges that the events at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust have highlighted.
NHS internal audit standards
NHS internal audit standards:
These standards ensure that those responsible for establishing, delivering and reviewing internal audit across the NHS continue to do so within a consistent framework. These recently published standards took effect from 1 April 2011, replacing the existing standards issued in 2002 and they apply to all NHS organisations. The standards are principles-based with additional interpretation to reflect the NHS environment and governance structures. These standards are aimed at providers of internal audit services. There is also an important role for accountable/accounting Officers and audit committees to assure themselves that their internal audit service meets the standards and any necessary improvement plans are agreed and delivered.
These standards ensure that those responsible for establishing, delivering and reviewing internal audit across the NHS continue to do so within a consistent framework. These recently published standards took effect from 1 April 2011, replacing the existing standards issued in 2002 and they apply to all NHS organisations. The standards are principles-based with additional interpretation to reflect the NHS environment and governance structures. These standards are aimed at providers of internal audit services. There is also an important role for accountable/accounting Officers and audit committees to assure themselves that their internal audit service meets the standards and any necessary improvement plans are agreed and delivered.
Are junior doctors a burden or an asset for managers?
Are junior doctors a burden or an asset for managers?:
Richard Vize argues that junior doctors make a vital contribution and we need to listen to them in order to deliver high-quality care
Junior doctors are often more associated with increasing death rates than raising standards in the public's mind, and have seemed more tolerated than embraced. But attitudes towards this vital and substantial section of the NHS workforce are changing.
Junior doctors are often more associated with increasing death rates than raising standards in the public's mind, and have seemed more tolerated than embraced. But attitudes towards this vital and substantial section of the NHS workforce are changing.
Standardised bed chart 'could prevent hundreds of hospital deaths'
Standardised bed chart 'could prevent hundreds of hospital deaths':
Royal College of Physicians says there are more than 100 types of chart monitoring patients' vital signs, leading to confusion
Thousands of hospital deaths could be prevented if doctors and nurses used a standardised bed chart, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has said.
Thousands of hospital deaths could be prevented if doctors and nurses used a standardised bed chart, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has said.
Proportion of schoolchildren taking drugs fell over the past decade, says new report
Proportion of schoolchildren taking drugs fell over the past decade, says new report: 11 to 15-year-old pupils are also smoking and drinking less than ten years ago Drug-taking among secondary school children fell by 12 percentage point... NHS Information Centre
Thursday, 26 July 2012
Hospital pays millions over medical errors
Hospital pays millions over medical errors: A hospital has paid out almost £12 million in compensation in the
past two years for mistakes made while patients have been in its care.
And Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust last year also agreed to
£8.9m worth of clinical negligence claims, according to figures released
through a Freedom of Information request... Northampton Herald and PostHour wait for injured woman ‘left in gutter’
Hour wait for injured woman ‘left in gutter’:
An elderly woman lay for more than an hour with two broken bones because ambulances in Northamptonshire were too busy to collect her. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
An elderly woman lay for more than an hour with two broken bones because ambulances in Northamptonshire were too busy to collect her. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Stroke rehabilitation in the community: commissioning for improvement
Stroke rehabilitation in the community: commissioning for improvement:
Together with detailed examples of good practice and information about early supported discharge (ESD) service models implemented in England, it explores factors which influence local commissioning, and identifies tools to assist with commissioning and funding rehabilitation. This new publication is particularly relevant to the emerging commissioning landscape, the development of a new outcomes framework, and the positioning of stroke within long term conditions. NHS Networks
Together with detailed examples of good practice and information about early supported discharge (ESD) service models implemented in England, it explores factors which influence local commissioning, and identifies tools to assist with commissioning and funding rehabilitation. This new publication is particularly relevant to the emerging commissioning landscape, the development of a new outcomes framework, and the positioning of stroke within long term conditions. NHS Networks
Britons missing 'five-a-day' goal
Britons missing 'five-a-day' goal: Fewer than a third of adults and only one in 10 children are eating their recommended "five-a-day" of fruit and vegetables, government figures say. BBC News
£7.8m to fund HIV and sexual health work
£7.8m to fund HIV and sexual health work: England has a strong record in HIV prevention but the stakes and potential gains have never been higher Public Service
All children to be offered flu vaccines
All children to be offered flu vaccines:
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) says all children and young people aged from two to 17 will offered a flu vaccine.England's Chief Medical Officer told the BBC that offering the vaccine would result in significantly fewer numbers of deaths and hospitalisations, according to the results of a study by the Health Protection Agency and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. ... HealthcareToday
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) says all children and young people aged from two to 17 will offered a flu vaccine.England's Chief Medical Officer told the BBC that offering the vaccine would result in significantly fewer numbers of deaths and hospitalisations, according to the results of a study by the Health Protection Agency and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. ... HealthcareToday
Improving mental health services for LGBT young people
Improving mental health services for LGBT young people:
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust have taken a new approach to support those reluctant to use mainstream services.
Patients flood A&E as GPs cut surgery hours
Patients flood A&E as GPs cut surgery hours: Millions of patients are unable to get GP appointments in the evenings or at weekends as doctors cut back on out-of-hours care, NHS figures suggest.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily TelegraphFlu vaccine for all children – but parents suffer adverse reaction
Flu vaccine for all children – but parents suffer adverse reaction:
It didn't take long for the naysayers to react. "Don't poison your children," tweeted one mother in response to the Government's announcement yesterday that all children aged from two to 17 would be offered the flu vaccine. The Independent
It didn't take long for the naysayers to react. "Don't poison your children," tweeted one mother in response to the Government's announcement yesterday that all children aged from two to 17 would be offered the flu vaccine. The Independent
Hepatitis C hospital cases soar
Hepatitis C hospital cases soar:
Around 216,000 people in the UK are chronically infected with hepatitis C. The Independent
Around 216,000 people in the UK are chronically infected with hepatitis C. The Independent
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
VIDEO: Seven ambulance stations face axe
VIDEO: Seven ambulance stations face axe: Most of Northamptonshire's ambulance stations are set to close, leaving just two covering the whole county. BBC Northamptonshire
National framework to improve mental health and wellbeing published
National framework to improve mental health and wellbeing published:
The government has published the Mental health implementation framework, which sets out what organisations can do to make the 6 high-level objectives of the mental health strategy No Health without Mental Health a reality.
The framework has been coproduced with 5 leading mental health organisations, Centre for Mental Health, Mind, NHS Confederation Mental Health Network, Rethink Mental Illness and Turning Point. It highlights useful guidance and sources of information to help local organisations use their existing powers and resources to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Today Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Care Services Minister Paul Burstow will call on employers to take 5 simple steps to improve the mental health of their staff. Mental ill health costs British businesses over £1000 per employee every year, or almost £30 billion across the UK economy. This is mostly in lost production through staff being off work or underperforming at work.
The Mental health implementation framework sets out what employers, schools, businesses, local authorities, housing organisations, voluntary groups and health and care organisations can do to promote good mental health, whether it’s clinical commissioning groups appointing mental health leads, schools developing awareness programmes to help staff recognise pupils at risk, or employers supporting the mental health of their workforce.
The framework also announces a new mental health dashboard, which will provide a picture of overall progress towards implementing the mental health strategy. Department of Health
No Health Without Mental Health – Implementation Framework (PDF, 3076K)
Impact Assessment supplementary note (PDF, 140K)
The NHS Confederation has also published a briefing on the framework.
The government has published the Mental health implementation framework, which sets out what organisations can do to make the 6 high-level objectives of the mental health strategy No Health without Mental Health a reality.
The framework has been coproduced with 5 leading mental health organisations, Centre for Mental Health, Mind, NHS Confederation Mental Health Network, Rethink Mental Illness and Turning Point. It highlights useful guidance and sources of information to help local organisations use their existing powers and resources to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Today Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Care Services Minister Paul Burstow will call on employers to take 5 simple steps to improve the mental health of their staff. Mental ill health costs British businesses over £1000 per employee every year, or almost £30 billion across the UK economy. This is mostly in lost production through staff being off work or underperforming at work.
The Mental health implementation framework sets out what employers, schools, businesses, local authorities, housing organisations, voluntary groups and health and care organisations can do to promote good mental health, whether it’s clinical commissioning groups appointing mental health leads, schools developing awareness programmes to help staff recognise pupils at risk, or employers supporting the mental health of their workforce.
The framework also announces a new mental health dashboard, which will provide a picture of overall progress towards implementing the mental health strategy. Department of Health
No Health Without Mental Health – Implementation Framework (PDF, 3076K)
Impact Assessment supplementary note (PDF, 140K)
The NHS Confederation has also published a briefing on the framework.
Poor data stops mental health tariff
Poor data stops mental health tariff: The government has delayed plans to implement a national Payment by Results tariff for adult mental health services. E-Health Insider
Progress in Measuring National Well-being outlined
Progress in Measuring National Well-being outlined:
These three articles report progress in the Measuring National Well-being programme. The articles cover: where we live, health, and subjective well-being. In addition, ONS has released an article setting out the domains and measures which will be now be used for assessing well-being, based on extensive consultation summarised in an associated report, which is also published.
These three articles report progress in the Measuring National Well-being programme. The articles cover: where we live, health, and subjective well-being. In addition, ONS has released an article setting out the domains and measures which will be now be used for assessing well-being, based on extensive consultation summarised in an associated report, which is also published.
Number of over-50s diagnosed with skin cancer has trebled in 30 years
Number of over-50s diagnosed with skin cancer has trebled in 30 years:
The amount of people aged 50-59 who are diagnosed with malignant melanoma has tripled since 1982.According to data released by Cancer Research UK an average of 25 people a day receive a diagnosis of this type of skin cancer. Experts have linked the rise of low price holidays in the sun in the 1970s and 80s with the increase in cases. Yinka Ebo, senior health information officer at Cancer Research UK, told the Daily ... Healthcare Today
The amount of people aged 50-59 who are diagnosed with malignant melanoma has tripled since 1982.According to data released by Cancer Research UK an average of 25 people a day receive a diagnosis of this type of skin cancer. Experts have linked the rise of low price holidays in the sun in the 1970s and 80s with the increase in cases. Yinka Ebo, senior health information officer at Cancer Research UK, told the Daily ... Healthcare Today
Nick Clegg sets out mental health plan - The Independent
Nick Clegg sets out mental health plan - The Independent:
 Workplace Savings & Benefits | Nick Clegg sets out mental health plan The Independent Its No Health Without Mental Health strategy outlines how employers, schools, local councils, housing organisations, voluntary groups and healthcare bodies can promote good mental health. MPs were praised last month after several spoke of their own ... Clegg sets out mental health planThe Press Association Health: National framework to improve mental health and wellbeing publishedeGov monitor Pulling social workers from NHS threatens professional developmentCommunitycare.co.uk Health Service Journal -Workplace Savings & Benefits -Health Insurance and Protection Magazine all 24 news articles » |
NHS Hack Day winners claim app will save £3m - ComputerWeekly.com
NHS Hack Day winners claim app will save £3m - ComputerWeekly.com:
NHS Hack Day winners claim app will save £3m ComputerWeekly.com It will be developed into a free, open-source product that can be easily downloaded and installed by any NHS hospital trust. The winning team was made up of New Context Scotland's Paul Wilson and Adrian Mowat, Value Decision's Eckhard Schwarzat, ... |
NHS needs to close wards and hospitals to centralise care, says doctors' leader
NHS needs to close wards and hospitals to centralise care, says doctors' leader:
Prof Terence Stephenson says it is wasteful to have hospitals a few miles apart providing exactly the same services
Full interview: 'Time for tough decisions to raise standards'
Many hospital wards need to be closed and whole departments moved elsewhere so the NHS can improve care for the most seriously ill patients, the new leader of the UK's 200,000 doctors has warned.
Professor Terence Stephenson, chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC), wants ministers and NHS bosses to downgrade the status of some hospitals and push through major rationalisation of key services such as major surgery or intensive care, despite local campaigns to save units.
The academy is the voice of the UK's medical royal colleges and represents groups of specialist doctors such as GPs, hospital physicians and surgeons.
Speaking to the Guardian in his first interview since being elected, Stephenson said it was "wasteful" of NHS resources that so many hospitals, often only a few miles apart, provide exactly the same services. Acute medical services should be concentrated in fewer, bigger, more centralised units, so that care teams would increase their skills by treating more patients, even if that means some entire hospitals closing as a result, he added.
"We do try to deliver care too broadly across too many centres. We're trying for that aphorism that everybody wants open heart surgery in a cottage hospital. It's just not deliverable. I don't think it's possible in quite a small country of 60 million people to have 200 to 300 24/7 acute centres offering every single discipline", said Stephenson.
The NHS is hamstrung by having many of the same hospitals it had when it was created in 1948 and the plethora of hospitals providing identical services explains why patient outcomes are not as good for certain types of NHS care as in European countries such as France and Germany, despite significant extra investment since 2000, he said.
Centres of expertise should look after patients needing hi-tech care, risky treatment or with rare or complex conditions, with local hospitals losing their ability to treat such cases as inpatients and instead dealing with common, less serious conditions.
When London reorganised trauma services, for example, "nobody really dissented hugely with the idea that you can't treat people who have had major car crashes in every small hospital, that you would transport them into major centres", said Stephenson.
Research done by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, of which Stephenson was president until May, concluded that the NHS's 220 specialist paediatric units should be reduced to 170. The same rationale applies to adult hospital services because "many of these small hospitals admitting key patients are quite close to another or slightly larger hospital".
Combining two units onto one site is easier in urban areas as the distance between hospitals in rural areas makes centralisation there impractical, he added. "Whether they close or not would be down to geography. If they are three miles apart people can have care close to home so I wouldn't go to the ditch to keep every single hospital open," said Stephenson.
His outspoken comments will increase the already growing pressure on ministers to oversee a slimming down of the hospital sector. Sir David Nicholson, the NHS chief executive, last month called for radical changes in healthcare, including hospital closures, and for politicians to be "honest with the public about the nature and scale of the change that's required".
The former Conservative health secretary Stephen Dorrell, who chairs the Commons health select committee; the NHS Confederation, which represents NHS managers, and the influential King's Fund health thinktank all favour widespread reorganisation.
Dr Tony Falconer, the president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, argued recently that up to a third of maternity units in urban areas should close in order to improve the health of mothers and babies.
But individual closures are regularly the subject of campaigns backed by local MPs. On Sunday thousands marched in Leeds to campaign to save the children's heart surgery centre at Leeds general infirmary, which is being recommended for closure in an NHS review. They were joined by Labour shadow ministers and local MPs Ed Balls, Yvette Cooper, Rachel Reeves and Hilary Benn.
The coalition's controversial NHS reforms in England will increase the chances of units disappearing because the GP-led local clinical commissioning groups that will gain control of £60bn of the NHS budget next April will send patients to where is best, rather than necessarily their local hospital, Stephenson added.
The drive to deliver more NHS services outside hospitals, closer to patients' homes, would also hasten the process, he said. "Some wards will close and that's not the end of the world," he said, as long as patients could be assessed locally and sent to a centralised specialist unit if necessary.
Doctors need to play a leading role in persuading a sceptical public why radical changes to the way the NHS provides care is necessary, as they have done over the recent controversial NHS review called Safe and Sustainable, which will see England's collection of 11 centres performing heart operations on children shrink to seven, added Stephenson.
Similarly, when maternity care in Greater Manchester was reorganised, with four of 12 hospitals losing their unit, "part of the reason that was successful was because doctors and nurses were fairly candid about saying 'we think the quality of your care is not as good as it could be,'" Stephenson said. "If the message coming from local politicians, doctors and nurses is that the care right now is fantastic and is being stripped away to save money, then of course you will have people campaigning.
"If the message, as with Safe and Sustainable, is actually 'to be honest, we're ashamed to say that the care of people isn't as good as it could be and we could make it better this way,' I think you could take the public with you," he added.
Stephenson's dramatic intervention divided opinion in the NHS. Professor Steve Field, the chair of the government's advisory NHS Future Forum, said he was "absolutely right". The NHS must replicate the centralisation of stroke care in London from 32 hospitals to eight hyper-acute stroke units, which is believed to have saved 400 patients a year because far more now receive clot-busting drugs, he said.
MPs, who usually oppose the loss of any local unit, "need to understand that these are difficult decisions but they need to be made and the NHS is inevitably going to have more of these decisions to make in the next few years", added Field, the former chair of the Royal College of GPs.
Mike Farrar, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said the NHS would be "unsustainable" unless care was radically reshaped so the NHS could properly treat the growing numbers of patients who are old or have a long-term condition.
"Senior clinicians have sometimes been reluctant to step forward and yet they carry so much weight with the public. But I think the tide is turning. There is an emerging coalition of managers and clinical leaders who understand the need to speak up because if we don't the NHS will be unsustainable," said Farrar.
Cabinet ministers William Hague and Iain Duncan Smith have backed local campaign groups protesting about proposed downgrading of NHS facilities affecting their constituents. But ministers need to "have the courage to do the right thing for patients" by backing greater centralisation, said Farrar, who praised the health secretary, Andrew Lansley's recent "decisive action" over the financially ailing South London healthcare trust as an example of ministers taking a difficult decision.
"More broadly, ministers should explain the [reconfiguration] issues clearly to the public and help create the context in which more radical change can happen. Otherwise, the NHS will be fighting pitched battles around the country for the next decade," said Farrar.
"It is really significant that the Academy is now ready to help persuade the public of the importance of these issues."
A Confederation survey last month of 252 chairs and chief executives of 200 healthcare providers such as hospitals and primary care trusts found that 31% back greater concentration of specialist services, 28% believe whole hospitals should close and 15% favour closing some services.
But health unions voiced disquiet about hospital services being merged. "When the evidence is there, change within the NHS is vital in maintaining the provision of high-quality care to patients, but Unison would always caution against change for changing's sake," said Christina McAnea, head of health at the union, which represents 400,000 NHS staff.
"Health service professionals are still getting to grips with the rudiments of the Health and Social Care Act, so we would question the wisdom of introducing yet more wide-scale reform without broad and conclusive evidence to support it."
Rachael Maskell, head of health at the Unite union, warned centralisation of services could see patients being cared for far from home and and relatives facing long journeys to visit them. "There is also the clinical and social needs of patients. There is no point having patients who are miles away from friends and family, isolated in a hospital, because there is one national centre for a service," she said.
Local multidisciplinary teams of NHS staff, not just doctors or ministers, should decide which services hospitals provide, she added. The Guardian
Full interview: 'Time for tough decisions to raise standards'
Many hospital wards need to be closed and whole departments moved elsewhere so the NHS can improve care for the most seriously ill patients, the new leader of the UK's 200,000 doctors has warned.
Professor Terence Stephenson, chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC), wants ministers and NHS bosses to downgrade the status of some hospitals and push through major rationalisation of key services such as major surgery or intensive care, despite local campaigns to save units.
The academy is the voice of the UK's medical royal colleges and represents groups of specialist doctors such as GPs, hospital physicians and surgeons.
Speaking to the Guardian in his first interview since being elected, Stephenson said it was "wasteful" of NHS resources that so many hospitals, often only a few miles apart, provide exactly the same services. Acute medical services should be concentrated in fewer, bigger, more centralised units, so that care teams would increase their skills by treating more patients, even if that means some entire hospitals closing as a result, he added.
"We do try to deliver care too broadly across too many centres. We're trying for that aphorism that everybody wants open heart surgery in a cottage hospital. It's just not deliverable. I don't think it's possible in quite a small country of 60 million people to have 200 to 300 24/7 acute centres offering every single discipline", said Stephenson.
The NHS is hamstrung by having many of the same hospitals it had when it was created in 1948 and the plethora of hospitals providing identical services explains why patient outcomes are not as good for certain types of NHS care as in European countries such as France and Germany, despite significant extra investment since 2000, he said.
Centres of expertise should look after patients needing hi-tech care, risky treatment or with rare or complex conditions, with local hospitals losing their ability to treat such cases as inpatients and instead dealing with common, less serious conditions.
When London reorganised trauma services, for example, "nobody really dissented hugely with the idea that you can't treat people who have had major car crashes in every small hospital, that you would transport them into major centres", said Stephenson.
Research done by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, of which Stephenson was president until May, concluded that the NHS's 220 specialist paediatric units should be reduced to 170. The same rationale applies to adult hospital services because "many of these small hospitals admitting key patients are quite close to another or slightly larger hospital".
Combining two units onto one site is easier in urban areas as the distance between hospitals in rural areas makes centralisation there impractical, he added. "Whether they close or not would be down to geography. If they are three miles apart people can have care close to home so I wouldn't go to the ditch to keep every single hospital open," said Stephenson.
His outspoken comments will increase the already growing pressure on ministers to oversee a slimming down of the hospital sector. Sir David Nicholson, the NHS chief executive, last month called for radical changes in healthcare, including hospital closures, and for politicians to be "honest with the public about the nature and scale of the change that's required".
The former Conservative health secretary Stephen Dorrell, who chairs the Commons health select committee; the NHS Confederation, which represents NHS managers, and the influential King's Fund health thinktank all favour widespread reorganisation.
Dr Tony Falconer, the president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, argued recently that up to a third of maternity units in urban areas should close in order to improve the health of mothers and babies.
But individual closures are regularly the subject of campaigns backed by local MPs. On Sunday thousands marched in Leeds to campaign to save the children's heart surgery centre at Leeds general infirmary, which is being recommended for closure in an NHS review. They were joined by Labour shadow ministers and local MPs Ed Balls, Yvette Cooper, Rachel Reeves and Hilary Benn.
The coalition's controversial NHS reforms in England will increase the chances of units disappearing because the GP-led local clinical commissioning groups that will gain control of £60bn of the NHS budget next April will send patients to where is best, rather than necessarily their local hospital, Stephenson added.
The drive to deliver more NHS services outside hospitals, closer to patients' homes, would also hasten the process, he said. "Some wards will close and that's not the end of the world," he said, as long as patients could be assessed locally and sent to a centralised specialist unit if necessary.
Doctors need to play a leading role in persuading a sceptical public why radical changes to the way the NHS provides care is necessary, as they have done over the recent controversial NHS review called Safe and Sustainable, which will see England's collection of 11 centres performing heart operations on children shrink to seven, added Stephenson.
Similarly, when maternity care in Greater Manchester was reorganised, with four of 12 hospitals losing their unit, "part of the reason that was successful was because doctors and nurses were fairly candid about saying 'we think the quality of your care is not as good as it could be,'" Stephenson said. "If the message coming from local politicians, doctors and nurses is that the care right now is fantastic and is being stripped away to save money, then of course you will have people campaigning.
"If the message, as with Safe and Sustainable, is actually 'to be honest, we're ashamed to say that the care of people isn't as good as it could be and we could make it better this way,' I think you could take the public with you," he added.
Stephenson's dramatic intervention divided opinion in the NHS. Professor Steve Field, the chair of the government's advisory NHS Future Forum, said he was "absolutely right". The NHS must replicate the centralisation of stroke care in London from 32 hospitals to eight hyper-acute stroke units, which is believed to have saved 400 patients a year because far more now receive clot-busting drugs, he said.
MPs, who usually oppose the loss of any local unit, "need to understand that these are difficult decisions but they need to be made and the NHS is inevitably going to have more of these decisions to make in the next few years", added Field, the former chair of the Royal College of GPs.
Mike Farrar, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said the NHS would be "unsustainable" unless care was radically reshaped so the NHS could properly treat the growing numbers of patients who are old or have a long-term condition.
"Senior clinicians have sometimes been reluctant to step forward and yet they carry so much weight with the public. But I think the tide is turning. There is an emerging coalition of managers and clinical leaders who understand the need to speak up because if we don't the NHS will be unsustainable," said Farrar.
Cabinet ministers William Hague and Iain Duncan Smith have backed local campaign groups protesting about proposed downgrading of NHS facilities affecting their constituents. But ministers need to "have the courage to do the right thing for patients" by backing greater centralisation, said Farrar, who praised the health secretary, Andrew Lansley's recent "decisive action" over the financially ailing South London healthcare trust as an example of ministers taking a difficult decision.
"More broadly, ministers should explain the [reconfiguration] issues clearly to the public and help create the context in which more radical change can happen. Otherwise, the NHS will be fighting pitched battles around the country for the next decade," said Farrar.
"It is really significant that the Academy is now ready to help persuade the public of the importance of these issues."
A Confederation survey last month of 252 chairs and chief executives of 200 healthcare providers such as hospitals and primary care trusts found that 31% back greater concentration of specialist services, 28% believe whole hospitals should close and 15% favour closing some services.
But health unions voiced disquiet about hospital services being merged. "When the evidence is there, change within the NHS is vital in maintaining the provision of high-quality care to patients, but Unison would always caution against change for changing's sake," said Christina McAnea, head of health at the union, which represents 400,000 NHS staff.
"Health service professionals are still getting to grips with the rudiments of the Health and Social Care Act, so we would question the wisdom of introducing yet more wide-scale reform without broad and conclusive evidence to support it."
Rachael Maskell, head of health at the Unite union, warned centralisation of services could see patients being cared for far from home and and relatives facing long journeys to visit them. "There is also the clinical and social needs of patients. There is no point having patients who are miles away from friends and family, isolated in a hospital, because there is one national centre for a service," she said.
Local multidisciplinary teams of NHS staff, not just doctors or ministers, should decide which services hospitals provide, she added. The Guardian
Thousands of nurses cut from the NHS: official figures
Thousands of nurses cut from the NHS: official figures: NHS cuts mean there are 4,500 fewer nurses in the health service than two years ago, according to official figures.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Elderly suffering undiagnosed heart problems: study
Elderly suffering undiagnosed heart problems: study: One in four people in their 80s are needlessly living with debilitating symptoms because they have undiagnosed heart problems that can be treated, a study has found.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Sickness absence rate among NHS workers falls to 4.12 per cent
Sickness absence rate among NHS workers falls to 4.12 per cent: Rate for England falls for a second year*Regional data available from this publicationNHS staff had a sickness absence rate of 4.12 per cent in 2011/1... NHS Information Centre
NHS must “get a grip” on workplace wellbeing
NHS must “get a grip” on workplace wellbeing: The Royal College of Nursing has said the Government must sit up and take notice of a new survey which found nurse staffing and workforce issues have a significant impact on satisfaction levels and patient care.
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Consultation over ambulance stations closure
Consultation over ambulance stations closure:
Plans to close all of the county’s ambulance stations apart from two are set to go out to consultation. Evening Telegraph
“Ambulance stations are garages, nothing more” says EMAS chief:
THE medical director of the ambulance service covering Northamptonshire has tried to allay fears about plans to cut the number of stations in the county from nine to just two. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Plans to close all of the county’s ambulance stations apart from two are set to go out to consultation. Evening Telegraph
“Ambulance stations are garages, nothing more” says EMAS chief:
THE medical director of the ambulance service covering Northamptonshire has tried to allay fears about plans to cut the number of stations in the county from nine to just two. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Ambulances in Northamptonshire help out after ‘teething problems’ at private firm
Ambulances in Northamptonshire help out after ‘teething problems’ at private firm:
The ambulance service for Northamptonshire is being called in to transport upto six patients a day on routine transfers after ‘teething problems’ by the private firm that now runs the service, it has been claimed. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
The ambulance service for Northamptonshire is being called in to transport upto six patients a day on routine transfers after ‘teething problems’ by the private firm that now runs the service, it has been claimed. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Ramadan – a guide for healthcare professionals
Ramadan – a guide for healthcare professionals: This year’s Ramadan starts on Friday, 20 July, and will continue for 30 days until Saturday, 18 August.
NHS Diabetes has developed an online guide to help healthcare professionals support their patients to manage their diabetes during Ramadan, using a leaflet produced by the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.
NHS Diabetes has also brought together useful resources, which are available as part of the guide.
NHS Diabetes has developed an online guide to help healthcare professionals support their patients to manage their diabetes during Ramadan, using a leaflet produced by the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.
NHS Diabetes has also brought together useful resources, which are available as part of the guide.
New commissioning factsheet for CCGs
New commissioning factsheet for CCGs:
This explains:
A number of previous documents have described these commissioning responsibilities, but the factsheet brings the information together in one place and provides further clarity on certain aspects. NHS Networks
This explains:
- Which services CCGs will commission from 1 April 2013
- Those services that will be commissioned by the NHS Commissioning Board (NHS CB)
- Those services that will be commissioned or provided by local authorities and Public Health England.
A number of previous documents have described these commissioning responsibilities, but the factsheet brings the information together in one place and provides further clarity on certain aspects. NHS Networks
Health and social care reform: making it work for mental health
Health and social care reform: making it work for mental health:
It highlights four key areas of concern in commissioning; local decision making; integrated care; and personalisation and patient choice. It makes recommendations to CCGs, health and wellbeing boards, government and MPs in order to overcome any challenges which the reforms might present. NHS Networks
It highlights four key areas of concern in commissioning; local decision making; integrated care; and personalisation and patient choice. It makes recommendations to CCGs, health and wellbeing boards, government and MPs in order to overcome any challenges which the reforms might present. NHS Networks
UK's hidden world of mutilation
UK's hidden world of mutilation: UK women speak out about the hidden world of female mutilation BBC News
VIDEO: Hidden world of mutilation in the UK
VIDEO: Hidden world of mutilation in the UK: About 20,000 children are 'at risk' from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) every year in the year in the UK. Sue Lloyd Roberts investigates why despite being illegal for many years it still goes on. BBC News
Millions of hospital data errors 'threaten GP commissioning'
Millions of hospital data errors 'threaten GP commissioning': Hospitals in England are consistently failing to supply correct patient data to the wider NHS, which may undermine GP commissioning, according to a landmark report. GP Online
Immigration rules workshop FAQs
Immigration rules workshop FAQs: New frequently asked questions (FAQs) on immigration rules are now available on our website. NHS Employers
National survey of hepatitis C services in prisons in England
National survey of hepatitis C services in prisons in England:
This survey is the first dedicated look at hepatitis C services in prisons in England. Basic information was collected on the types of services provided in prisons for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of prisoners with hepatitis C. The survey indicates progress in accessibility, as treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection is now available to prisoners in most prisons in England compared to two thirds of prisons testing in 2007. The survey states that the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis C in prison is beneficial as it provides access to normally ‘hard-to-reach’ individuals. The results of this survey offer useful information for policy makers, commissioners and service providers on models of good practice for provision of diagnosis, treatment and care of people living with hepatitis C infection in prisons in England.
This survey is the first dedicated look at hepatitis C services in prisons in England. Basic information was collected on the types of services provided in prisons for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of prisoners with hepatitis C. The survey indicates progress in accessibility, as treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection is now available to prisoners in most prisons in England compared to two thirds of prisons testing in 2007. The survey states that the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis C in prison is beneficial as it provides access to normally ‘hard-to-reach’ individuals. The results of this survey offer useful information for policy makers, commissioners and service providers on models of good practice for provision of diagnosis, treatment and care of people living with hepatitis C infection in prisons in England.
Nurse facing sack for Facebook protest
Nurse facing sack for Facebook protest:
A nurse who made a Facebook post about Biggleswade Hospital has been suspended from her job.Bernadette Green wrote on a Facebook group page for hospital supporters: “Did you know Whitbread ward is down to two patients now???? Yet still SEPT deny that beds are being blocked. If it wasn’t so serious it would be laughable." A spokesman for SEPT said: "A member of staff has been suspended pending a... Healthcare Today
A nurse who made a Facebook post about Biggleswade Hospital has been suspended from her job.Bernadette Green wrote on a Facebook group page for hospital supporters: “Did you know Whitbread ward is down to two patients now???? Yet still SEPT deny that beds are being blocked. If it wasn’t so serious it would be laughable." A spokesman for SEPT said: "A member of staff has been suspended pending a... Healthcare Today
'Advance refusal' cards for patients fearing 'death pathway'
'Advance refusal' cards for patients fearing 'death pathway': Terminally ill patients are being issued with special cards warning doctors not to place them on a controversial "death pathway" amid fears the practice is becoming routine.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Average worker took six days off sick last year
Average worker took six days off sick last year:
The amount of time lost through sickness absence has fallen to less than 3 per cent in Britain, new research has revealed. The Independent
The amount of time lost through sickness absence has fallen to less than 3 per cent in Britain, new research has revealed. The Independent
Physios to prescribe drugs
Physios to prescribe drugs:
Physiotherapists and podiatrists will be allowed to prescribe medicines, the Department of Health has announced. The Independent
Physiotherapists and podiatrists will be allowed to prescribe medicines, the Department of Health has announced. The Independent
Monday, 23 July 2012
Danetre Hospital wins national award for end-of-life care
Danetre Hospital wins national award for end-of-life care Staff from Danetre Hospital inpatient ward, which is managed by NGH, are celebrating after receiving a national award recognising their high quality of care for people nearing the end of life. NGH News
Northamptonshire’s ambulance trust helps prosecute most alleged attackers
Northamptonshire’s ambulance trust helps prosecute most alleged attackers:
Thugs who attack East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) staff are convicted at double the rate of the next best trust, latest figures show. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Thugs who attack East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) staff are convicted at double the rate of the next best trust, latest figures show. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Stores to sell asthma inhalers
Stores to sell asthma inhalers: Asthma inhalers will go on sale in supermarkets for the first time, allowing sufferers to get the medicine without seeing their doctor. BBC News
Best practice guide for CCGs aims to cut costs and boost quality
Best practice guide for CCGs aims to cut costs and boost quality: A best practice guide to a dozen clinical commissioning group (CCG) success stories is the first publication by CCG representative body NHS Clinical Commissioners (NHSCC). GP Online
When doctors and patients talk: making sense of the consultation
When doctors and patients talk: making sense of the consultation:
This report explores the main form of interaction between a patient and a clinician - the consultation. It offers an analysis of the current relationship and describes the potential for a more nuanced model for the consultation. It makes recommendations for commissioning bodies and service providers to develop programmes that will boost patient skills and confidence and also to support doctors who are keen to experiment with new ways of working.
This report explores the main form of interaction between a patient and a clinician - the consultation. It offers an analysis of the current relationship and describes the potential for a more nuanced model for the consultation. It makes recommendations for commissioning bodies and service providers to develop programmes that will boost patient skills and confidence and also to support doctors who are keen to experiment with new ways of working.
Young people’s views and experiences of GP services in relation to emotional and mental health
Young people’s views and experiences of GP services in relation to emotional and mental health:
This research was conducted to assess young people’s experiences of visiting their GP in order to identify responses they would like in relation to their mental and emotional health and what improvements are required to enable them to have a better experience.
This research was conducted to assess young people’s experiences of visiting their GP in order to identify responses they would like in relation to their mental and emotional health and what improvements are required to enable them to have a better experience.
Clinical commissioning in action
Clinical commissioning in action:
This publication shares learning from CCGs around England in the form of case studies. Each case study illustrates an example of successful outcomes and service provision.
This publication shares learning from CCGs around England in the form of case studies. Each case study illustrates an example of successful outcomes and service provision.
Can open data spark long-awaited change in the NHS?
Can open data spark long-awaited change in the NHS?:
In other services, open data is making a real difference and could do the same for healthcare
The coalition government has made transparency and open data a defining theme of its agenda and has set out its ambition for the UK to become a world leader in informatics and healthcare data management.
The prime minister has pledged a "complete revolution in transparency", with the raw data that will allow people to analyse the performance of public services being made freely available.
Ultimately, though, the chief barrier within the health service is culture, not kit. Years ago Rudolf Klein said society had stopped thinking of doctors as high priests and started to consider them more as mechanics, more like the technicians of your local garage than the miracle workers of your local church. In fact, in the main the NHS remains our national religion and the doctors its clergy: can data and information spark the long-awaited reformation in the balance of power?
Publication of clinical outcomes has helped improve the quality of healthcare and many leading NHS providers are developing sophisticated IT systems to manage performance. Reform is working with the Cabinet Office and PA Consulting on a series of events to explore this theme and on 19 July held a breakfast meeting with Earl Howe, parliamentary under-secretary of state for health on the topic of informing people; empowering patients.
Howe made it clear that the open data white paper and the Department of Health's information strategy make publishing of performance data mandatory.
Data about organisational performance can have a transformative effect. As Reform has shown in numerous case studies, high performing systems use every possible channel to care for patients – a dedicated website enables them to browse for information, they can view lab results online through a secure server on the same day as the test, receive email reminders about appointments, drug dosages and more, book appointments online, by email and over the phone, and email or call doctors, nurses and pharmacists with questions.
At Kaiser Permanante and the Cleveland Clinic in the US, to name just two examples, doctors are also benchmarked against each other on clinical indicators, from how good they are at monitoring their patients and reaching out to them through to the outcomes of their treatments.
The opportunities of "big data" groups are considerable. For example, predictive risk modelling can have considerable benefits. In healthcare as in other walks of life the 80:20 rule applies: 80% of the money goes on 20% of the people.
In the US this summer I learned about how McKesson, a global health technology company, won a four-year contract for the Illinois Medicare budget. The first thing they did was run the numbers. They audited terabytes of government data – about patient referrals, treatments and payments – looking for patterns. From this they were able to identify those who were ill and those most at risk of getting ill.
Then they contacted each citizen to verify this and assigned them case managers: at-risk patients received intensive preventative care; "frequent flyers" were carefully monitored with regular calls and checks, visited at home by social workers, given advice about diet and exercise, treated in local clinics rather than the emergency room, and so on. Over four years from 2005-2009, McKesson saved the government $569m (£362m) and improved the quality of the care.
This shows that compassion and technology aren't necessarily incompatible; they can be mutually reinforcing. But there are further spin-offs. Aggregating this kind of information will enable us to understand much better which clinical therapies deliver most value. In this, there are, as PA's Colm Reilly explained at the meeting, growth opportunities for the UK's life sciences industry.
So far, progress in the NHS has been slow. In 1858 Florence Nightingale penned a "Proposal for Improved Statistics of Surgical Operations", but only in 2006 did the Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons start to make their mortality data publicly available. They were pushed into doing so by the president, Bruce Keogh, now medical director of the NHS.
Since then, raw data for individual surgeons has been openly displayed online against a mortality range based on patient characteristics. No other speciality has managed to do the same. Veena Raleigh, from the King's Fund, pointed out the paucity and integrity of clinical information about care quality in general practices and community services is worrying. A recent BMJ editorial also called on the royal colleges and the medical societies – naming and shaming them – to show leadership. "What are you doing?" asked its editor, Fiona Godlee.
There are legitimate reasons for caution, of course. It is essential that data is of a high quality, that there are high standards, that the data is secure (Kaiser Permanante's My health manager patient portal is set up with higher security than most online banking sites), and that it is protected not only with good protocols but also good governance.
If it is to do so, not only will the medical profession have to let go: patients will have to get more involved. We have to engage the public with the simple truth that the health service cannot succeed in the future unless users and citizens recognise their own role in helping those services do more with less. We have to make our own efforts, whether it is looking after our health or managing our own conditions.
We also need to be willing to share data about our lifestyle and health conditions, but fear holds people back. Simon Eccles, a doctor, suggested the following question: "would you mind me sharing information about your health with my colleagues if it would save your life?" Two reports published by the Health Foundation on 19 July – When doctors and patients talk and Helping people share decision making – add to a growing body of research. If information is power, then shared information is shared power.
Nick Seddon is deputy director of the Reform thinktank Guardian Professional
The coalition government has made transparency and open data a defining theme of its agenda and has set out its ambition for the UK to become a world leader in informatics and healthcare data management.
The prime minister has pledged a "complete revolution in transparency", with the raw data that will allow people to analyse the performance of public services being made freely available.
Ultimately, though, the chief barrier within the health service is culture, not kit. Years ago Rudolf Klein said society had stopped thinking of doctors as high priests and started to consider them more as mechanics, more like the technicians of your local garage than the miracle workers of your local church. In fact, in the main the NHS remains our national religion and the doctors its clergy: can data and information spark the long-awaited reformation in the balance of power?
Publication of clinical outcomes has helped improve the quality of healthcare and many leading NHS providers are developing sophisticated IT systems to manage performance. Reform is working with the Cabinet Office and PA Consulting on a series of events to explore this theme and on 19 July held a breakfast meeting with Earl Howe, parliamentary under-secretary of state for health on the topic of informing people; empowering patients.
Howe made it clear that the open data white paper and the Department of Health's information strategy make publishing of performance data mandatory.
Data about organisational performance can have a transformative effect. As Reform has shown in numerous case studies, high performing systems use every possible channel to care for patients – a dedicated website enables them to browse for information, they can view lab results online through a secure server on the same day as the test, receive email reminders about appointments, drug dosages and more, book appointments online, by email and over the phone, and email or call doctors, nurses and pharmacists with questions.
At Kaiser Permanante and the Cleveland Clinic in the US, to name just two examples, doctors are also benchmarked against each other on clinical indicators, from how good they are at monitoring their patients and reaching out to them through to the outcomes of their treatments.
The opportunities of "big data" groups are considerable. For example, predictive risk modelling can have considerable benefits. In healthcare as in other walks of life the 80:20 rule applies: 80% of the money goes on 20% of the people.
In the US this summer I learned about how McKesson, a global health technology company, won a four-year contract for the Illinois Medicare budget. The first thing they did was run the numbers. They audited terabytes of government data – about patient referrals, treatments and payments – looking for patterns. From this they were able to identify those who were ill and those most at risk of getting ill.
Then they contacted each citizen to verify this and assigned them case managers: at-risk patients received intensive preventative care; "frequent flyers" were carefully monitored with regular calls and checks, visited at home by social workers, given advice about diet and exercise, treated in local clinics rather than the emergency room, and so on. Over four years from 2005-2009, McKesson saved the government $569m (£362m) and improved the quality of the care.
This shows that compassion and technology aren't necessarily incompatible; they can be mutually reinforcing. But there are further spin-offs. Aggregating this kind of information will enable us to understand much better which clinical therapies deliver most value. In this, there are, as PA's Colm Reilly explained at the meeting, growth opportunities for the UK's life sciences industry.
So far, progress in the NHS has been slow. In 1858 Florence Nightingale penned a "Proposal for Improved Statistics of Surgical Operations", but only in 2006 did the Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons start to make their mortality data publicly available. They were pushed into doing so by the president, Bruce Keogh, now medical director of the NHS.
Since then, raw data for individual surgeons has been openly displayed online against a mortality range based on patient characteristics. No other speciality has managed to do the same. Veena Raleigh, from the King's Fund, pointed out the paucity and integrity of clinical information about care quality in general practices and community services is worrying. A recent BMJ editorial also called on the royal colleges and the medical societies – naming and shaming them – to show leadership. "What are you doing?" asked its editor, Fiona Godlee.
There are legitimate reasons for caution, of course. It is essential that data is of a high quality, that there are high standards, that the data is secure (Kaiser Permanante's My health manager patient portal is set up with higher security than most online banking sites), and that it is protected not only with good protocols but also good governance.
If it is to do so, not only will the medical profession have to let go: patients will have to get more involved. We have to engage the public with the simple truth that the health service cannot succeed in the future unless users and citizens recognise their own role in helping those services do more with less. We have to make our own efforts, whether it is looking after our health or managing our own conditions.
We also need to be willing to share data about our lifestyle and health conditions, but fear holds people back. Simon Eccles, a doctor, suggested the following question: "would you mind me sharing information about your health with my colleagues if it would save your life?" Two reports published by the Health Foundation on 19 July – When doctors and patients talk and Helping people share decision making – add to a growing body of research. If information is power, then shared information is shared power.
Nick Seddon is deputy director of the Reform thinktank Guardian Professional
Doctors fear 'catastrophes' on hospital wards at weekends
Doctors fear 'catastrophes' on hospital wards at weekends: One in eight doctors does not think hospitals provide high-quality care at weekends.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Private hospital told doctors to delay NHS work to boost profits
Private hospital told doctors to delay NHS work to boost profits:
A private hospital which accepts NHS work has instructed its doctors to artificially delay operations on non-paying patients to encourage them to pay fees. The Department of Health last night branded the practice "unacceptable" and pledged to intervene. The Independent
A private hospital which accepts NHS work has instructed its doctors to artificially delay operations on non-paying patients to encourage them to pay fees. The Department of Health last night branded the practice "unacceptable" and pledged to intervene. The Independent
Centre for Economic Research Report 'How Mental Health Loses Out in the NHS',
How mental health loses out in the NHS This report from the London School of Economics finds that mental illness accounts for 23% of the total burden of disease. Yet, despite the existence of cost-effective treatments, it receives only 13% of NHS health expenditure. Furthermore only a quarter of those suffering mental health problems are receiving any form of treatment. London School of Economics
Friday, 20 July 2012
£1.89bn repayment for £379m of vital PFI funded work
£1.89bn repayment for £379m of vital PFI funded work:
The total cost of building work and maintenance of the county’s schools, street lighting and hospitals, agreed under Private Finance Initiatives (PFI), will total almost £1.9billion by the time the deals have been paid off. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
The total cost of building work and maintenance of the county’s schools, street lighting and hospitals, agreed under Private Finance Initiatives (PFI), will total almost £1.9billion by the time the deals have been paid off. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Updated guidance on viral haemorrhagic fevers
Updated guidance on viral haemorrhagic fevers:
The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) has published updated specialist guidance on the management of patients with viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) or other infectious diseases of high consequence.
The guidance replaces previous ACDP guidance issued in 1996 and provides advice on how patients suspected of being infected with a VHF should be comprehensively assessed, rapidly diagnosed and safely managed within the NHS, to ensure the protection of public health.
Read the updated guidance on Management of Hazard Group 4 viral haemorrhagic fevers and similar human infectious diseases of high consequence (PDF, 762K) Department of Health
The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) has published updated specialist guidance on the management of patients with viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) or other infectious diseases of high consequence.
The guidance replaces previous ACDP guidance issued in 1996 and provides advice on how patients suspected of being infected with a VHF should be comprehensively assessed, rapidly diagnosed and safely managed within the NHS, to ensure the protection of public health.
Read the updated guidance on Management of Hazard Group 4 viral haemorrhagic fevers and similar human infectious diseases of high consequence (PDF, 762K) Department of Health
Memorandum: An update on the government's approach to tackling obesity
Memorandum: An update on the government's approach to tackling obesity: This update was prepared for the Public Accounts Committee. It outlines the government's approach to tackling obesity in England. National Audit Office
999 recordings highlight pressures
999 recordings highlight pressures: Dramatic recordings of 999 calls highlight ambulance pressures BBC News
Video: BMA chairman explains decision to halt industrial action
Video: BMA chairman explains decision to halt industrial action: Watch BMA chairman Dr Mark Porter explain why BMA Council decided not to take further industrial action over changes to the NHS pension scheme. GP Online
Reducing agency spend - new best practice case study
Reducing agency spend - new best practice case study: United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust undertook a series of actions to understand and reduce their agency spend NHS Employers
Progress in implementing the 2010 adult autism strategy
Progress in implementing the 2010 adult autism strategy:
This memorandum outlines the progress that has been made in the two years since the adult autism strategy was published in March 2010. 24 of the 56 commitments in the strategy have been implemented, and work has begun on most of the remaining commitments. However, less progress has been made in some areas, such as improving access to social care assessments, personal budgets and diagnostic services, which can all help adults with autism to access services and support.
This memorandum outlines the progress that has been made in the two years since the adult autism strategy was published in March 2010. 24 of the 56 commitments in the strategy have been implemented, and work has begun on most of the remaining commitments. However, less progress has been made in some areas, such as improving access to social care assessments, personal budgets and diagnostic services, which can all help adults with autism to access services and support.
Rest assured? A study of unpaid carers' experiences of short breaks
Rest assured? A study of unpaid carers' experiences of short breaks:
This research describes the findings of a Scottish study into unpaid carers’ experiences of short breaks from caring. It explored, from the carers’ perspective, the benefits of short breaks (provided by formal services and family and friends), good practice in planning and provision, and areas for improvement.
This research describes the findings of a Scottish study into unpaid carers’ experiences of short breaks from caring. It explored, from the carers’ perspective, the benefits of short breaks (provided by formal services and family and friends), good practice in planning and provision, and areas for improvement.
£2.5m spent on NHS CB staff
£2.5m spent on NHS CB staff:
New figures in annual report covering the period October 2011-March 2012 have revealed that the National Commissioning Board Authority spent £2.5m on staff in the first five months of its existence.
The documents details staff costs including up to £265,000 for its chief executive and national directors, most of whom were only working for the NHS CB for 40% of their time. Chief executive Sir David Nicholson was... Healthcare Today
New figures in annual report covering the period October 2011-March 2012 have revealed that the National Commissioning Board Authority spent £2.5m on staff in the first five months of its existence.
The documents details staff costs including up to £265,000 for its chief executive and national directors, most of whom were only working for the NHS CB for 40% of their time. Chief executive Sir David Nicholson was... Healthcare Today
Public health briefings for local government
Public health briefings for local government: NICE has published a series of public health briefings for local government. The aim is to offer advice on the public health actions that are most effective and provide best value for money.
New skills check-up for doctors
New skills check-up for doctors:
Doctors are to have their skills reassessed every year to ensure they are fit to practise, the General Medical Council said. The Independent
Doctors are to have their skills reassessed every year to ensure they are fit to practise, the General Medical Council said. The Independent
New report shines a light on the quality of data across health and social care
New report shines a light on the quality of data across health and social care: A new report published for the first time today by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) shines a light on the quality of data across ... NHS Information Centre
Advocacy by and for adults with learning disabilities in England.
This report finds that from 2009-10 to 2012-13 funding for learning disability specific advocacy services fell by 15.1% as commissioners cut their total spend for self-advocacy organisations and also moved specialist contracts to generic advocacy organisations. Learning Disabilities Observatory
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Ambulance delay due to lunchbreak
Ambulance delay due to lunchbreak:
A coroner has criticised East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) after an inquest heard how paramedics left an elderly man who had fallen over and sustained brain damage untreated for 45 minutes because they were on a lunch break.
West Lincolnshire Coroner Stuart Fisher said the service had let down Harold Tinsley, 78, who died in hospital on September 27 last year, four days after falling on his driveway outside ... Healthcare Today
A coroner has criticised East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) after an inquest heard how paramedics left an elderly man who had fallen over and sustained brain damage untreated for 45 minutes because they were on a lunch break.
West Lincolnshire Coroner Stuart Fisher said the service had let down Harold Tinsley, 78, who died in hospital on September 27 last year, four days after falling on his driveway outside ... Healthcare Today
Shared decision making: a common understanding
Shared decision making: a common understanding: There is an emerging consensus amongst professionals, patients and politicians that patients have a central role in the decision making process about their health. But scratch the surface of that consensus and the waters get a little more murky, says Adrian Sieff. Health Foundation
Lansley pledges to investigate PCT rationing
Lansley pledges to investigate PCT rationing: Health secretary Andrew Lansley has pledged to investigate evidence of PCTs rationing services after the issue was raised again in parliamentary questions. GP Online
NHS share of government spending to rise to 10%
NHS share of government spending to rise to 10%: Health costs will account for almost 10% of all government spending within 50 years, the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) has predicted. GP Online
N3 GP refresh to roll out this year
N3 GP refresh to roll out this year: The GP Next Generation Access project will increase bandwidth on N3 for 70% of English GP practices by March next year. E-Health Insider
Follow the bear
Follow the bear: The government may have axed the National Programme for IT in the NHS twice, but it has left behind some big pieces of unfinished business. E-Health Insider
GMC National Training Survey 2012
GMC National Training Survey 2012: The General Medical Council (GMC) has published the results of its National Training Survey 2012 which provides a snapshot of the quality of postgraduate medical education and training. NHS Employers
The full report is available on the GMC web site.
The full report is available on the GMC web site.
GPs outnumbered on commissioning group boards
GPs outnumbered on commissioning group boards:
NHS reorganisation was designed to have GPs making financial decisions, but there are only two or three GPs on some boards
GPs are outnumbered in nearly half the new clinical commissioning group boards, with some clinical commissioning groups having just two or three GPs, according to research carried out by Pulse.
In some parts of the country, GPs made up only a fifth of the boards and were in the minority in 44% of them.
Despite the Department of Health's requirement that each board should include a consultant, the research found very few included. Only 36% of groups had a reserved position for a secondary care doctor – and just seven positions have been filled.
The analysis was based on Freedom of Information requests from 100 groups, which covered more than 1,300 board positions. Researchers said that the figures suggest that groups are failing to engage grassroots GPs, and that practices risk being forced out of the commissioning process.
"In some areas, financial restraints have forced CCGs to actively cut the number of GPs on their boards, despite health secretary Andrew Lansley's insistence that it is GPs who are 'best placed' to improve NHS commissioning," said Pulse, the magazine for health professionals.
Dr George Rae, secretary of Newcastle and North Tyneside local medical committee, said the balance of management staff to GPs had swung too far. "If it is GP-led commissioning, the correct balance isn't GPs in the minority. There are other people who have to have input, but we must not sell ourselves short," he said.
But others have said that the struggle to keep down costs was having an impact on the balance of the boards. For example, Dr Guy Mansford, clinical lead and deputy chair of Nottingham West commissioning group, said practices in his area had decided to cut the number of GP board members from five to two to reduce costs and to counter accusations of a conflict of interest.
"With a large board there is a massive workload for governance, and innovation was just going out of the window," he said. "For small CCGs trying to live within the £25 per head budget, it is very hard to do everything."
Bob Senior, head of medical services at RSM Tenon, an accountancy advisory firm, and chair of the Association of Independent Specialist Medical Accountants, said the £25 management allowance was a factor in the composition of many boards: "The economies of scale don't work so smaller [groups] are having to use that money judiciously, which means you can't have quite as big an involvement from GPs."
The findings are likely to lead to criticism of health secretary Andrew Lansley's plans to put GPs at the helm of NHS commissioning. Commissioning groups will be responsible for some £60bn of NHS budget from April 2013.
• On 44% of commissioning group boards, fewer than half of members were GPs. Groups with the lowest proportion of GPs included Nottingham West, which had two GPs (20%), Bury, with three GPs (21%), and Newcastle, also with three GPs (21%).
• While women do feature on boards, they make up just 21% of board members. Guardian Professional.
GPs are outnumbered in nearly half the new clinical commissioning group boards, with some clinical commissioning groups having just two or three GPs, according to research carried out by Pulse.
In some parts of the country, GPs made up only a fifth of the boards and were in the minority in 44% of them.
Despite the Department of Health's requirement that each board should include a consultant, the research found very few included. Only 36% of groups had a reserved position for a secondary care doctor – and just seven positions have been filled.
The analysis was based on Freedom of Information requests from 100 groups, which covered more than 1,300 board positions. Researchers said that the figures suggest that groups are failing to engage grassroots GPs, and that practices risk being forced out of the commissioning process.
"In some areas, financial restraints have forced CCGs to actively cut the number of GPs on their boards, despite health secretary Andrew Lansley's insistence that it is GPs who are 'best placed' to improve NHS commissioning," said Pulse, the magazine for health professionals.
Dr George Rae, secretary of Newcastle and North Tyneside local medical committee, said the balance of management staff to GPs had swung too far. "If it is GP-led commissioning, the correct balance isn't GPs in the minority. There are other people who have to have input, but we must not sell ourselves short," he said.
But others have said that the struggle to keep down costs was having an impact on the balance of the boards. For example, Dr Guy Mansford, clinical lead and deputy chair of Nottingham West commissioning group, said practices in his area had decided to cut the number of GP board members from five to two to reduce costs and to counter accusations of a conflict of interest.
"With a large board there is a massive workload for governance, and innovation was just going out of the window," he said. "For small CCGs trying to live within the £25 per head budget, it is very hard to do everything."
Bob Senior, head of medical services at RSM Tenon, an accountancy advisory firm, and chair of the Association of Independent Specialist Medical Accountants, said the £25 management allowance was a factor in the composition of many boards: "The economies of scale don't work so smaller [groups] are having to use that money judiciously, which means you can't have quite as big an involvement from GPs."
The findings are likely to lead to criticism of health secretary Andrew Lansley's plans to put GPs at the helm of NHS commissioning. Commissioning groups will be responsible for some £60bn of NHS budget from April 2013.
The findings
• GPs held 645 out of 1,325 board positions (49%). Managers and finance officers accounted for 267 positions, alongside 140 lay members, 65 nurses, 50 public health representatives, 46 from local authorities, 42 practice managers and 70 others.• On 44% of commissioning group boards, fewer than half of members were GPs. Groups with the lowest proportion of GPs included Nottingham West, which had two GPs (20%), Bury, with three GPs (21%), and Newcastle, also with three GPs (21%).
• While women do feature on boards, they make up just 21% of board members. Guardian Professional.
Doctors suspended strikes over pensions... for now
Doctors suspended strikes over pensions... for now:
Doctors have suspended plans for more strikes over pension reforms but have said they will not rule out further industrial action in future. The Independent
Doctors have suspended plans for more strikes over pension reforms but have said they will not rule out further industrial action in future. The Independent
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
People being urged to have their say on health
People being urged to have their say on health:
People are being asked their views on a new organisation being set up to improve health and social care services in Northamptonshire. Evening Telegraph
People are being asked their views on a new organisation being set up to improve health and social care services in Northamptonshire. Evening Telegraph
Health boss speaks over ambulance station closures
Health boss speaks over ambulance station closures:
East Midlands Ambulance Service has proposed to close every ambulance station in Northamptonshire, except Kettering and Northampton. Evening Telegraph
East Midlands Ambulance Service has proposed to close every ambulance station in Northamptonshire, except Kettering and Northampton. Evening Telegraph
Ambulance stations to close in bid for faster 999 call-outs
Ambulance stations to close in bid for faster 999 call-outs:
Northampton is set to move from two ambulance bases to just one, East Midlands Ambulance Service has revealed. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Northampton is set to move from two ambulance bases to just one, East Midlands Ambulance Service has revealed. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
CCGs and PCTs – not so different after all? | Chris Naylor
CCGs and PCTs – not so different after all? | Chris Naylor: There will be important differences between clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and primary care trusts (PCTs). But in terms of the population size they cover – a hugely significant issue for any commissioning body – CCGs and PCTs look increasingly similar. (Blog, 17 Jul 2012) Kings Fund
Toolkit for doctors and managers to improve quality for patients
Toolkit for doctors and managers to improve quality for patients:
It involves a series of steps each requiring conversations between all parties to identify any development required. NHS Networks
It involves a series of steps each requiring conversations between all parties to identify any development required. NHS Networks
Inactivity 'as deadly as smoking'
Inactivity 'as deadly as smoking': A lack of exercise, contributing to diseases such as diabetes and cancer, is now causing as many deaths as smoking across the world, a study suggests. BBC News
Research backs greater pharmacist role in long-term conditions care
Research backs greater pharmacist role in long-term conditions care: Pharmacists should be more involved in the long-term management of people with type 2 diabetes to improve patient outcomes, researchers say. GP Online
Alcohol-related hospital admissions rise in young
Alcohol-related hospital admissions rise in young:
Data released by public health minister Anne Milton has shown an increase in the number of young people from deprived families who were admitted to hospital because of alcohol.The information revealed that 17.5% of under 18-year-olds who were admitted to hospital with alcohol-associated problems in 2010/11 were from the poorest 10% of families in England.This figure increased from 2009/10, when 16.5% of young p... Healthcare Today
UK has third most inactive population in Europe
UK has third most inactive population in Europe:
Two-thirds of British adults fail to take recommended amount of exercise needed to keep them healthy, research shows
The UK is home to the third most slothful population in Europe, with two-thirds of adults failing to take enough physical exercise to keep themselves healthy, according to research.
Only in Malta and Serbia do the over-15s exert themselves less than in the UK, according to data from one of a series of papers published in the Lancet medical journal.
In the UK, 63.3% of adults (with higher rates in women than in men) do not meet recommended amounts of activity, such as walking briskly for 30 minutes or more five times a week or taking more vigorous exercise for 20 minutes three times a week. In Malta, 71.9% of adults are inactive and in Serbia the proportion is 68.3%.
The most active countries are Greece, where 16% are inactive, Estonia (17%) and the Netherlands (18%). The US scores 41% and Canada 34%.
Inactivity causes between 6% and 10% of four major diseases – coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and breast and colon cancer, reported the Lancet. In 2008, it was responsible for about 5.3 million out of the 57 million deaths worldwide.
Pedro Hallal from Universidade Federal de Pelotas in Brazil and colleagues collected and compared data from 122 countries. Overall, a third of adults, and four out of five adolescents, were insufficiently active.
Hallal added: "Although the technological revolution has been of great benefit to many populations throughout the world, it has come at a major cost in terms of the contribution of physical inactivity to the worldwide epidemic of noncommunicable diseases."
Many different things have been tried to encourage people to walk, cycle or take other exercise more often. One of the most successful is in Bogota, Columbia, reports another Lancet paper. A programme called CiclovÃa closes city streets to traffic for the use of walkers, runners, skaters and cyclists on Sunday mornings and public holidays. It attracts about a million people every week – mostly those on low incomes.The Guardian
The UK is home to the third most slothful population in Europe, with two-thirds of adults failing to take enough physical exercise to keep themselves healthy, according to research.
Only in Malta and Serbia do the over-15s exert themselves less than in the UK, according to data from one of a series of papers published in the Lancet medical journal.
In the UK, 63.3% of adults (with higher rates in women than in men) do not meet recommended amounts of activity, such as walking briskly for 30 minutes or more five times a week or taking more vigorous exercise for 20 minutes three times a week. In Malta, 71.9% of adults are inactive and in Serbia the proportion is 68.3%.
The most active countries are Greece, where 16% are inactive, Estonia (17%) and the Netherlands (18%). The US scores 41% and Canada 34%.
Inactivity causes between 6% and 10% of four major diseases – coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and breast and colon cancer, reported the Lancet. In 2008, it was responsible for about 5.3 million out of the 57 million deaths worldwide.
Pedro Hallal from Universidade Federal de Pelotas in Brazil and colleagues collected and compared data from 122 countries. Overall, a third of adults, and four out of five adolescents, were insufficiently active.
Hallal added: "Although the technological revolution has been of great benefit to many populations throughout the world, it has come at a major cost in terms of the contribution of physical inactivity to the worldwide epidemic of noncommunicable diseases."
Many different things have been tried to encourage people to walk, cycle or take other exercise more often. One of the most successful is in Bogota, Columbia, reports another Lancet paper. A programme called CiclovÃa closes city streets to traffic for the use of walkers, runners, skaters and cyclists on Sunday mornings and public holidays. It attracts about a million people every week – mostly those on low incomes.The Guardian
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