Self management: it’s easy, isn’t it?

Self management: it’s easy, isn’t it?: Tracy Watts on the benefits and challenges of integrating self management skills into mainstream health. The Health Foundation

QOF achievement rose 2.4% in England in 2011/12

QOF achievement rose 2.4% in England in 2011/12: QOF achievement for GP practices in England rose 2.4% in 2011/12 to an average of 969.1 points, official figures show. GP Online

Hospital to home

Hospital to home: The Hospital 2 Home resource is designed to make it easier for health and social care professionals involved in hospital discharge to support older patients in returning home safely after a hospital stay and reduce the risk of readmission to hospital. It contains information, advice, case studies and checklists to help health, housing and social care professionals provide the right care for older patients. The resource aims to improve the experience of staying in hospital and returning home for both older patients and their carers.


Resource pack: http://housinglin.org.uk/hospital2home_pack/

Securing the future financial sustainability of the NHS

Securing the future financial sustainability of the NHS: This report examines the financial sustainability of the NHS, and states that ensuring a viable financial future for healthcare providers is vital if the public are to have confidence in the delivery of their local services. It argues that there is a lack of clarity around critical details of how the system introduced by the NHS reforms will work so that services remain available to patients in their locality.

• Report
• Committe of Public Accounts - news

Out of sight

Out of sight: This report is part of a campaign to end poor care and abuse at large, institutional-style services for people with a learning disability. It expresses concern that government proposals in the interim report of the Winterbourne review don't go far enough, and calls for the phased closure of such services, and their replacement by appropriate local services.

• Report
• Mencap - publications

Patient Reported Experience Measure (PREM) for urgent and emergency care

Patient Reported Experience Measure (PREM) for urgent and emergency care: These tools have been developed to measure the experience of paediatric patients 0-16 years in all urgent and emergency care settings
including GP practices, out-of-hours centres, A&E departments and the ambulance service. The survey  The survey was developed with input from paediatric patients, ensuring that their views were captured early
in the design process. It aims to help emergency departments, GP surgeries, walk-in or urgent care centres and the ambulance service to identify areas that are important to paediatric patients, as well as areas for improvement.

• Urgent and emergency care PREM tools
• Research report
• RCPCH - publications

Thousands missing early signs of stroke

Thousands missing early signs of stroke:
A survey carried out by the Stroke Association has found two thirds of people would not recognise the signs of a small stroke.ICM Research surveyed 2,000 people for the charity and found 66% of people had not heard of a transient ischemic attack (TIA).TIA (or small strokes) are experienced by over 46,000 people every year and one in 10 go on to experience a full-blown stroke if they do not receive treatment.... Healthcare Today

Why some NHS trusts are near financial breaking point

Why some NHS trusts are near financial breaking point: The financial problems of South London NHS trust show how quickly trusts can find themselves in trouble, says Mike Farrar
Financial pressures are mounting on the NHS and a growing number of hospital trusts are finding themselves pushed towards a cliff edge.

Does breast screening do more harm than good?

Does breast screening do more harm than good?: The media reports that breast cancer screening is "harming thousands", with The Guardian claiming "breast cancer screening causes more damage than previously thought".

These headlines have been prompted by the findings of an independent panel that reviewed the benefits and harms of breast cancer screening in the UK. The panel was set up to examine the issue, as there has been ongoing debate about the balance of benefits and harms from breast screening, both in the UK and internationally.

NHS commissioners can use their budgets to get maximum local benefit

NHS commissioners can use their budgets to get maximum local benefit: The potential rewards of using NHS commissioning power to enhance communities should be embraced wholeheartedly

Drugs giant Roche accused of sitting on trial data for flu treatment

Drugs giant Roche accused of sitting on trial data for flu treatment:
The pharmaceutical giant Roche is being accused of irresponsibly withholding key trial data about a vital flu drug on which governments around the world have spent billions of pounds. The Independent

Updated never events policy framework and data published

Updated never events policy framework and data published:
The never events policy framework has been reviewed and updated in order to address areas of uncertainty and provide greater clarity about never events and the recommended response to them following feedback from stakeholders. It offers a useful reference for boards, clinicians, other staff and patients.
The document also contains data on the number and types of never event reported in 2011/12 and 2010/11, revealing 326 never events were reported to strategic health authorities in 2011/12.
It is recommended that all NHS boards consider this refreshed framework and that medical and nursing directors ensure that work is taken forward to improve patient safety and eradicate these never events from health care. Read the updated never events policy framework Department of Health

VIDEO: Miliband: End mental health taboo

VIDEO: Miliband: End mental health taboo: The issue of mental illness in the UK is the "biggest unaddressed health challenge of our age", Labour leader Ed Miliband says. BBC News

Failure regime in NHS 'unclear'

Failure regime in NHS 'unclear': The way financially-troubled parts of the NHS in England are being dealt with appears to be being done "on the hoof" by the government, MPs say. BBC News

4,000 cancer patients undergo unnecessary treatment as result of breast screening

4,000 cancer patients undergo unnecessary treatment as result of breast screening:
Breast cancer screening leads to thousands of women undergoing unnecessary treatment despite saving lives, according to an independent review. The Independent

See also:

• Breast cancer screening 'harming thousands' The Daily Telegraph
• Breast cancer screening causes more damage than previously thought The Guardian
• Needless cancer therapy for 4,000 women: For every life saved by breast screening, 3 patients undergo unnecessary treatment The Daily Mail
• Breast screening harm highlighted BBC News
• The benefits and harms of breast cancer screening: an independent review Lancet report (Athens password required)

UK must learn from US on sharps injuries, campaigners say

UK must learn from US on sharps injuries, campaigners say: NHS efforts to reduce needlestick injuries must draw on experience from the US, where they have fallen by a third in a decade, safety campaigners believe. GP Online

'NHS could face more data breach fines'

'NHS could face more data breach fines': More data breach fines will be issued to NHS bodies if they continue to fail in their legal obligations, warns ICO Public Service

New fears over vulnerable patients

New fears over vulnerable patients:

Charity attacks ‘warehousing’ of people with learning difficulties Related items from OnMedica GPs have duty to protect abused vulnerable adults Community mental health services failing many users More funding needed for GPs working with students Guidance issued on mental health Childhood abuse linked to depression

Women smokers who quit young cut death risk

Women smokers who quit young cut death risk:

“Women smokers who quit before 30 cut death risk by 97%”, The Guardian reports. It goes on to warn that ‘women who smoke into middle-age have three times the death rate of non-smokers and risk dying at least 10 years early’.
The news is based on the results of an impressive study that followed 1.2 million women aged from 50 to 69 years old, for an average of 12 years to determine the full effects of prolonged smoking and quitting on women in the UK.

Mental health sectioning error - BBC News

Mental health sectioning error - BBC News:

BBC News

Mental health sectioning error BBC News Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt says urgent retrospective legislation is needed to correct a "technical error" affecting up to 5,000 patients sectioned under the Mental Health Act since 2002. The error means doctors who sectioned patients in England did ... New mental health scandal as up to 5000 patients were sectioned in a decade ...Daily Mail Thousands sectioned under mental health act following 'technical error'The Independent Action to clarify processes under the Mental Health Actdh.gov.uk Huffington Post UK -Serious Injury Law -The Times (subscription) all 41 news articles »

Hundreds of patients subjected to NHS blunders that 'should never happen'

Hundreds of patients subjected to NHS blunders that 'should never happen': Hundreds of patients had instruments left inside them or surgery on the wrong part of the body. The Daily Telegraph

PFI deals crippling the NHS with £1.5bn of handouts needed: PAC report

PFI deals crippling the NHS with £1.5bn of handouts needed: PAC report: Patients in every part of the country face having their NHS services merged, closed or moved to address the financial crisis, a scathing report warned, as crippling PFI debts mean the government will have to hand over £1.5bn of bailouts. The Daily Telegraph

Winterbourne View scandal: Call for new care home neglect law

Winterbourne View scandal: Call for new care home neglect law: The Winterbourne View scandal has shown the need for a new offence of “corporate wilful neglect” to prosecute care home-owners for allowing abuse to go on behind closed doors, the former care minister has said. The Independent

One NHS trust in five is in bad financial trouble – and Department of Health is failing to plan for bankruptcies

One NHS trust in five is in bad financial trouble – and Department of Health is failing to plan for bankruptcies:
The spectre of hospitals going bankrupt is raised today in a damning report by MPs which suggests that one in five NHS trusts is in serious financial trouble and “there is a real concern that some will fail”. The Independent

Monitor takes action at Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Monitor takes action at Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust: Monitor has found Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in significant breach due to its persistent failure to meet its A&E four hour target and concerns about its Board governance and financial performance. Monitor

See also:

• Hospital in Northamptonshire ordered to take action after ‘failing its A&E patients’ Northampton Chornicle and Echo
• KGH in ‘special measures’ over A&E target failures Evening Telegraph
• Hospital trust 'failing patients BBC Northamptonshire
• Watchdog acts on Kettering General Hospital patient breaches The Independent

Paramedic slams 'superhub' plan

Paramedic slams 'superhub' plan: A paramedic says the idea of closing dozens of ambulance stations across the East Midlands will mean slower response times for rural communities. BBC Northamptonshire

Concerns over care home ratings

Concerns over care home ratings: Some care homes awarded five-star ratings, which earn them extra payments, are not meeting essential standards set by the care regulator. BBC News

Fresh fears for care home victims

Fresh fears for care home victims: There are fresh fears for the safety of some of the vulnerable patients moved from a Bristol care home which closed down after a BBC investigation.

See also: VIDEO: Fresh concerns for Winterbourne patients

NHS 111 fails to deliver benefits

NHS 111 fails to deliver benefits: NHS 111 has not improved efficiency in the NHS and has a low probability of cost savings to the emergency and urgent care system, an independent evaluation report says. E-Health Insider

Ten years of maternity claims: an analysis of NHS Litigation Authority data

Ten years of maternity claims: an analysis of NHS Litigation Authority data: This report analyses maternity claims reported to the NHS Litigation Authority and finds that on the whole, NHS maternity care is safe but more training could reduce the risk of accidental injuries. It is designed to help NHS health professionals responsible for the care of women and their babies to improve safety by learning lessons from the claims that have been made.

• Report
• NHS Litigation Authority - press release

Cold weather plan for England 2012

Cold weather plan for England 2012: This plan aims to prepare for the effects of winter weather on people’s health. It provides advice for individuals, communities and agencies on how to prepare for and respond to severe cold weather as part of wider winter planning.

• Cold weather plan
• Supporting the case
• Equality analysis 
• Letter
• Further information and supporting documents

NHS lost track of 1.8m patient records in a year with sensitive information found in public bus and for sale on the internet

NHS lost track of 1.8m patient records in a year with sensitive information found in public bus and for sale on the internet: The worst cases include details of terminally ill patients being faxed to the wrong number, and patient records being stolen and posted on to the internet. Daily Mail

Biting the NHS procurement bullet

Biting the NHS procurement bullet: A procurement makeover at County Durham and Darlington NHS foundation trust could provide a model for the whole NHS
Millions of pounds are too often wasted in the way the NHS purchases products and services, from swabs to stationery. Until the health sector bites the bullet and gets its procurement house in order the financial impact of health reforms will achieve only partial success.

Junior staff are 'missing complications' during birth leading to billions of pounds worth of claims

Junior staff are 'missing complications' during birth leading to billions of pounds worth of claims: Junior doctors and midwives are missing serious complications in women giving birth leading to 'staggering' litigation costs of £3.1bn over the last ten years, report warns. The Daily Telegraph

NHS patient data shared with industry

NHS patient data shared with industry: Thousands of English NHS patient records have been shared with 18 of Britain's biggest pharmaceutical firms since the launch of a new clinical research scheme earlier this year. The Daily Telegraph

How European working rules have created a generation of "clocking off" doctors

How European working rules have created a generation of "clocking off" doctors: Here, a consultant surgeon speaks anonymously out how European working rules have created a breed of doctors who are all too ready to "clock off". He was talking to Adele Waters. The Daily Telegraph

268,000 pledge to quit smoking for 'Stoptober'

268,000 pledge to quit smoking for 'Stoptober':
More than a quarter of a million people pledged to stub out their last cigarette during the "Stoptober" anti-smoking campaign, the Government said today. The Independent

Smoking will 'kill up to a billion people worldwide this century'

Smoking will 'kill up to a billion people worldwide this century': 
It is described as the biggest public health disaster in the history of the world, with its perpetrators likened to terrorists. Smoking will kill up to a billion people worldwide this century, unless governments across the world stamp down on the half-trillion-dollar tobacco industry. The Independent

Farewell to Francis Crick House

Farewell to Francis Crick House:

Due to pressures on space the Library Service will be pulling out of the commissioning HQ at Francis Crick House.

However, the service is currently still available to all NHS staff based in the building, and all of our services are available at the other library sites or via our web site www.library.northants.nhs.uk.

We will be packing and moving during the week of the 29th of October. The stock from Francis Crick will be integrated into the collections at our other libraries.

County figures speak out over possible KGH changes

County figures speak out over possible KGH changes: Leading county politicians, unions and patients have had their say on leaked documents which show possible scenarios for the future of services at Kettering General Hospital. Evening Telegraph

£52m 90-bed psychiatric hospital to open by 2014

£52m 90-bed psychiatric hospital to open by 2014: A £52million programme will see a new 90-bed psychiatric hospital up and running on the site of a former Northampton school within two years. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Privatised hospital loses £4.1m

Privatised hospital loses £4.1m: The first NHS hospital to be run by a private company reveals losses of £4.1m in the firm's first six months in charge were almost double those forecast. BBC News

VIDEO: NHS patients 'may get records access'

VIDEO: NHS patients 'may get records access': Some medical bodies, backed by the government, hope to give NHS patients free access to their own medical notes. BBC News

Government negotiators reject BMA claim that GP pay deal was 'close'

Government negotiators reject BMA claim that GP pay deal was 'close': NHS Employers has rejected BMA claims that a GP pay deal was 'close to being concluded' before the government announced plans to impose a 1.5% uplift and major changes to the contract. GP Online

DH guidance for shared records

DH guidance for shared records: The Department of Health has issued guidance for organisations working in shared records environments saying they are data controllers "in common." E-Health Insider

Funding for care homes and wards for people with dementia

Funding for care homes and wards for people with dementia: Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced dedicated funding to create care environments for people with dementia that help reduce anxiety and distress, and help people feel safe. Up to £50 million will be available to NHS trusts and local authorities, working in partnership with care providers, to help tailor hospitals and care homes to the needs of people with dementia.
Research by The King’s Fund demonstrates that good design can help with the management of dementia. People with dementia are calmer and less likely to get lost or become distressed in an environment designed with their needs in mind. Organisations that bid successfully for money will be able to adapt care homes and hospitals using design principles tested in The King’s Fund pilots. 

• Press release
• The King's Fund - Enhancing the Healing Environment project
• Department of Health - dementia challenge

My life until the end: dying well with dementia

My life until the end: dying well with dementia: This report reveals that many people with dementia are not dying in the place they want to, with their families unaware of their end of life wishes because of a double stigma around dementia and death. It highlights the importance of planning end of life care in advance to help make the final days of more people with dementia as good as possible and in the place they want to be.

• Report
• Alzheimer's Society - press release

PARR-30 model

PARR-30 model: The PARR model for predicting risk of readmissions has been updated and further developed in order to make predictions over 30 days rather than 12 months. It can identify sub-groups of high risk patients, where a high proportion of people will be readmitted within 30 days

• PARR-30 study
• Implementation guidance
• Interactive charts
• PARR-30 project page

England's elderly care target 'at risk'

England's elderly care target 'at risk': Council leaders across England have warned that the government must take steps to avert a crisis in elderly care before embarking on a drive to make it a world leader.
The government is pledging to turn the country into a one of the world’s best providers of care for older people.
But the Local Government Association (LGA) and Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) said the social c... Healthcare Today

Looking up illnesses can lead to better GP consultations

Looking up illnesses can lead to better GP consultations:
Researchers say people who learn more about their symptoms on the internet have better consultations with their GP.
The study by University College London (UCL) said that patients who search the internet for details of illnesses and symptoms are listened to more attentively by their family doctor.
And those who take their own information into the surgery are often able to build a better relationship wit... Healthcare Today

NHS should invest more in women

NHS should invest more in women: Female dominated boards should be the norm rather than exception
As the NHS goes through major structural upheaval, we have a great opportunity to make changes for the better. One area often over looked is the place of women — particularly women doctors — in leadership positions.

Closed drug trials leave patients at risk and doctors in the dark

Closed drug trials leave patients at risk and doctors in the dark: Drug companies can hide information about their drugs perfectly legally. We need proper legislation, says Ben Goldacre The Daily Telegraph

Hospitals 'paid millions to put patients on death pathway'

Hospitals 'paid millions to put patients on death pathway': Hospitals are being paid millions of pounds to reach targets for the number of patients put on a controversial pathway for the withdrawal of life-saving treatment, according to data based on Freedom of Information requests. The Daily Telegraph

Toll rises to 10 baby deaths this year in biggest whooping cough outbreak for 20 years

Toll rises to 10 baby deaths this year in biggest whooping cough outbreak for 20 years:
The number of babies who have died in the biggest outbreak of whooping cough for 20 years has increased to 10, health officials said. The Independent

Whooping cough outbreak continues

Whooping cough outbreak continues: According to figures published by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) today, 1,322 cases of whooping cough (pertussis) were reported in England and Wales in September 2012, bringing the total number of cases so far this year to 6,121*. Health Protection Agency

Kettering public hear ambulance station closure proposals

Kettering public hear ambulance station closure proposals: Ambulance bosses have forced to defend proposals which would see Northamptonshire lose all but two of its current stations. Evening Telegraph

Care home in Northampton given safety warning by inspectors

Care home in Northampton given safety warning by inspectors: The Care Quality Commission has issued a formal warning to Countrywide Care Homes Limited saying they must make improvements to standards of care at Argyle House, in Dallington, or face further action.Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Guide launched to improve services for patients with learning disabilities

Guide launched to improve services for patients with learning disabilities: The guidance has been produced in partnership with the Improving Health and Lives Learning Disability team at the Public Health Observatory and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. It includes all of the recommendations from the interim Winterbourne View report published in spring 2012.

Care failure ''could strip elderly of dignity''

Care failure ''could strip elderly of dignity'': Failure to tackle how care is funded is leaving elderly people in limbo, says an LGA survey Public Service

Sickness absence rates

Sickness absence rates: 'Sickness Absence Rates in the NHS: April - June 2012' has been published by the Information Centre. The data show that between April and June 2012 the average sickness absence rate for the NHS in England was 4.02 per cent an increase from the same period in 2011. The North East SHA area had the highest average sickness absence rate at 4.49 per cent. The London SHA area had the lowest average at 3.34 per cent. NHS Information Centre

A joined-up solution for social inclusion and mental health recovery: new briefing from the Centre for Mental Health

A joined-up solution for social inclusion and mental health recovery: new briefing from the Centre for Mental Health: Recovery is an increasingly popular concept and philosophy in mental health circles and rightly so. Many of us who have direct experience of suffering from a mental health condition extol the virtues of an educational self management approach that helps individuals to take responsibility for themselves.  This kind of approach can help us develop the [read the full story...] The Mental Elf

Outcomes matter: effective commissioning in domiciliary care

Outcomes matter: effective commissioning in domiciliary care: This report argues that a culture of delivering care in 15 minute time slots is affecting the quality of life of older people and other recipients of social care services. It highlights the challenges and opportunities faced by commissioners and provides a commissioning checklist for domicilary care.

• Report
• Summary
• Related blog
• LGIU - publications

Driving improvements in A&E services

Driving improvements in A&E services: This benchmarking study found that A&E departments are seeing
increasing numbers of patients but, despite improving their efficiency and innovating, seven out of ten trusts were shown to lose money on their A&E patients. It emphasises that fundamental problems remain on the funding of A&E and emergency services.

• Research briefing
• Foundation Trust Network - press release

£50m set aside for dementia patients

£50m set aside for dementia patients: A new fund of £50m to create calming environments for people with dementia, which aid treatment by helping sufferers to avoid confusion, will be announced on Thursday by the health secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Doctors to investigate use of controversial Liverpool Care Pathway

Doctors to investigate use of controversial Liverpool Care Pathway: Doctors are to investigate whether the controversial Liverpool Care Pathway, which is supposed to alleviate suffering, is actually being used to deliberately hasten death. The Daily Telegraph

Faulty medical implants investigation: Patients at risk from flaws in medical device rules, admit EU chiefs

Faulty medical implants investigation: Patients at risk from flaws in medical device rules, admit EU chiefs: Telegraph investigation: Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt pledges to stop "worrying and completely unacceptable weakness in the regulatory system" exposed by The Telegraph.

Number of Mental Health detentions and Community Treatment Order rises

Number of Mental Health detentions and Community Treatment Order rises: The number of detentions and Community Treatment Orders (CTOs) under the Mental Health Act increased last year according to a new report. NHS Information Centre

My Home Life: promoting quality of life in care homes

My Home Life: promoting quality of life in care homes:
What's needed to promote quality of life in care homes? A new report from JRF outlines the findings from the My Home Life project. My Home Life is a collaborative initiative between Age UK, City University, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Dementia UK promoting quality of life in care homes. Read more

Plans for £52m hospital revealed

Plans for £52m hospital revealed: A mental health charity in Northampton reveals plans to build a 90-bed psychiatric unit, costing £52m. BBC Northamptonshire

KGH is a leader in keyhole surgery

KGH is a leader in keyhole surgery: Surgeons at Kettering General Hospital have performed a breakthrough keyhole surgery to help a man’s battle to beat cancer. Evening Telegraph

Changes to the GP contract for 2013-14

Changes to the GP contract for 2013-14:
A letter from Dame Barbara Hakin, National Managing Director of Commissioning Development, to chief executives of primary care trusts and strategic health authorities sets out proposed changes to the general medical services contract for 2013/2014. These proposals have been sent to the British Medical Association for consideration and include:

• new measures to improve care for patients with long term conditions and help prevent unnecessary emergency admissions to hospital

• ensuring that quality rewards for GPs reflect expert advice, from NICE, so that patients receive the very best care in line with the most up to date evidence

• stopping additional rewards for organisational tasks like good record keeping, which should be part of any good health organisation. This money will instead go into rewarding the quality of services that GPs offer patients.

• ensuring that more patients benefit from best practice in areas such as keeping blood pressure low and reducing cholesterol levels, especially those in most need or hardest to reach.

Read the letter from Dame Barbara Hakin on the general medical services contract for 2013/2014 Department of Health

Angry BMA rejects 1.5% GP pay deal

Angry BMA rejects 1.5% GP pay deal: Ministers have threatened to impose a GMS pay uplift understood to be worth 1.5% in return for significant extra workload, in a move that has wrecked 'five months of detailed negotiations', GP leaders say. GP Online

QOF set for 'biggest ever change' in DH overhaul

QOF set for 'biggest ever change' in DH overhaul: The QOF faces its 'biggest ever change' from April 2013, with practices forced to compete for points, a whole domain axed and new DESs introduced under plans set out by the DH. GP Online

Most NHS trusts say change is necessary

Most NHS trusts say change is necessary: Nine out of 10 NHS trusts are planning to close, merge or alter services in the next two years Public Service

Talking self-harm

Talking self-harm: This report argues that there is a need for more awareness about self-harm amongst young people, parents and professionals. It makes recommendations for more training for healthcare professionals and
places emphasis on the need for guidance for GPs on how assessment tools such as NICE guidelines can support the consultation and referral process.

• Report
• Young Minds - news

Hillsborough: the report of the Hillsborough Independent panel

Hillsborough: the report of the Hillsborough Independent panel: Sir David Nicholson has written to NHS organisations to ask them, in the light of the report of the Hillsborough Independent Panel, to review, with their boards, their arrangements for responding to major incidents and take any appropriate action to ensure their current practices and processes are as robust as possible.

• Letter
• Department of Health - news

Next steps in developing a payment mechanism in mental health

Next steps in developing a payment mechanism in mental health:
The HFMA mental health faculty have produced this duscussion paper on the development of mental health payment by results.

• Discussion paper
• HFMA - publications

Public sector pension reform to cut benefits by a third: PPI - Professional Pensions

Public sector pension reform to cut benefits by a third: PPI - Professional Pensions:

Professional Pensions

Public sector pension reform to cut benefits by a third: PPI Professional Pensions The government's proposed reforms to public sector pension schemes will cut the average benefit for members by more than a third, the Pensions Policy Institute says. In an impact assessment published today, the PPI said members of the NHS, teachers ... Report by Pensions Policy Institute claims public sector workers would still ...Daily Mail Public sector pensions to drop by a third in valueMoney Marketing PPI Public Sector Pensions Briefing NoteActuarial Post Public Finance -Citywire.co.uk all 20 news articles »

Drugs and alcohol spending must not lose out

Drugs and alcohol spending must not lose out: From April 2013, money for drugs and alcohol services will no longer be ringfenced but will be lumped together with money for other public health services

Hospitals losing money with rising numbers of A&E patients, study finds

Hospitals losing money with rising numbers of A&E patients, study finds: Study says it costs hospitals more to treat accident and emergency patients than they are paid to deliver service

Missing drug trial results 'costs lives and wastes millions', MP argues

Missing drug trial results 'costs lives and wastes millions', MP argues: Drug companies must publish the results of "vitally important" clinical trials, an MP has argued, saying missing information comprises patient safety and wastes millions of pounds. The Daily Telegraph

Faulty medical implants investigation: Regulators' trail of deception has been exposed, says chairman

Faulty medical implants investigation: Regulators' trail of deception has been exposed, says chairman: Andrew Miller, the chairman of a parliamentary select committee investigating the sub-standard regulation of medical devices in Britain, has said that a "trail of deception" has been exposed in the system. The Daily Telegraph

Resources available for Self Care Week 2012

Resources available for Self Care Week 2012:
Resources are now available for Self Care Week 2012, to help NHS, social care and voluntary sector organisations run local initiatives.



This year, Self Care Week will run from 12-18 November. Self Care Week is an annual national awareness week that focuses on embedding support for self care across communities, families and generations.
This year’s theme is ‘Self Care for Life – growing older healthily’, which builds on the European Active and Healthy Ageing initiative on improving the health knowledge of patients and the public as they get older. For Self Care Week 2012, we are extending this approach through all the life stages – from pre-birth to older years – to ensure healthy and happy living at every age.
Once again, Self Care Week is being run in partnership with the Self Care Forum, which is the leading UK organisation committed to embedding self care into everyday life and whose members include GPs, nurses, pharmacists and NHS managers, as well as the Department of Health.
A communications pack and other resources can be downloaded from the Self Care Week 2012 Resources page on the Self Care Forum’s website. Department of Health

VIDEO: 'Dramatic rise' in self harm cases

VIDEO: 'Dramatic rise' in self harm cases: As many as one in 12 young people in the UK carry out self-harm, according to a study by a mental health charity. BBC News

GP leaders fear IT funding cuts

GP leaders fear IT funding cuts: Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) must be given the funding they need to maintain general practice IT, the GPC has warned. GP Online

National Bowel Cancer Audit 2011

National Bowel Cancer Audit 2011: This national audit has found that about a quarter of bowel cancer patients
in England are only diagnosed with the disease after an emergency admission to hospital. This equates to about 8,000 out of 31,000 patients admitted in a 12 month period, whose records were analysed by the National Bowel Cancer Audit and linked for the first time with hospital data (Hospital Episode Statistics). 

• Latest audit report and related documents 
• HSCIC - news

Children throat infections rising

Children throat infections rising:
Researchers have highlighted a dramatic rise in the number of children admitted to hospitals with throat infections over the last decade.
The team from Imperial College London, writing in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, found a 76% increase though most children were released home after a short stay.
And rather than an increase in the severity of infections, they suggest it is more to do with press... Healthcare Today

NHS hearing services 'being cut' - BBC News

NHS hearing services 'being cut' - BBC News:

BBC News

NHS hearing services 'being cut' BBC News In particular, the study found evidence of rises in waiting times and reductions in follow-up care. The report is the latest in a growing number to have suggested front-line care is being rationed as the health service struggles with finances. The NHS ... and more »

Death pathway 'based on guesswork'

Death pathway 'based on guesswork': The controversial "death pathway" has come under renewed attack from doctors, lawyers and campaigners who said staff using it had to guess when patients were nearing the end of life. The Daily Telegraph

Undercover investigation exposes EU licencing for faulty medical implants

Undercover investigation exposes EU licencing for faulty medical implants: A joint undercover investigation with the the Daily Telegraph and British Medical Journal has exposed loopholes in the EU system which allows potentially dangerous medical implants to be sold in the UK.

Controversial decision on heart surgery units halted amid threats of legal action and protests

Controversial decision on heart surgery units halted amid threats of legal action and protests: A controversial decision to close three children's heart surgery units in England has been halted by the Government amid threats of legal action and growing protests from MPs and families. The Independent

VIDEO: Hospital cuts loom, claims Labour

VIDEO: Hospital cuts loom, claims Labour: The Labour Party has claimed that a leaked document about the future of Kettering General Hospital proves that managers are planning to cut services. BBC Northamptonshire

Staff treated for TB at Northampton dialysis unit

Staff treated for TB at Northampton dialysis unit: Staff at a kidney dialysis unit in Northampton are being treated for tuberculosis (TB). Chronicle and Echo

£52.5m funding secured for St Andrews development

£52.5m funding secured for St Andrews development: Finance chiefs at St Andrew’s Healthcare have secured a £52.5million funding package to support its continued expansion and the development of a new hospital building at its existing site in Northampton. Chronicle and Echo

Mental health plan tackles stigma

Mental health plan tackles stigma: The health minister sets out a 10-year strategy for mental health care, recognising the issue of stigma and the threats from everyday and financial pressures. BBC News

NHS 26-week waiting lists hit all-time low

NHS 26-week waiting lists hit all-time low: The number of people waiting over 26 weeks to start treatment is at its lowest level since records began Public Service

Free training modules to improve diabetes care

Free training modules to improve diabetes care:

NHS Diabetes unveils two e-learning modules to help reduce the number of patients suffering hypoglycaemic attacks Related items from OnMedica More evidence on diabetes postcode lottery Three-part course on diabetes GP pay for diabetes ‘must be reviewed’ Blood glucose self checks waste of money Half of diabetics have high blood pressure

Are families of children with disabilities getting enough support?

Are families of children with disabilities getting enough support?: Jill Davies, Research Programme Manager, discusses a new report highlighting that families of children with disabilities are not getting enough services and support. Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities

Doctors and patients 'ignoring' cancer signs

Doctors and patients 'ignoring' cancer signs: Bowel cancer is being diagnosed too late to be treated in thousands of patients who only discover they have the disease following an emergency admission to hospital. The Independent

NHS staff struggling with workloads and stress, report warns

NHS staff struggling with workloads and stress, report warns: The NHS Staff Side Evidence to the Pay Review Body warns that NHS staff are struggling under the burden of increased workloads and stress, with a third very seriously considering leaving their job. RCN

Leaked report into KGH shake-up

Leaked report into KGH shake-up:
Leaked documents created to show possible scenarios for the future provision of services at hospitals in the region have revealed the top option was that Kettering Hospital would lose 515 of its 658 beds. Evening Telegraph

Hospital cuts hundreds of jobs... then hires nurses from abroad

HOSPITAL CUTS HUNDREDS OF JOBS ...THEN HIRES NURSES FROM ... Express.co.uk They have been holding recruitment fairs abroad, with Northampton General Hospital Trust bringing 25 Portuguese nurses to the UK to tend its patients, while 16 more will arrive next month from Ireland. The international hiring drive came after the ...

We should be celebrating increased life expectancy

We should be celebrating increased life expectancy: We should be celebrating increased life expectancy, but instead we seem to worry that the increased number of elderly patients will destroy healthcare, says Simon Mackenzie. Health Foundation

NHS changes 'risk to sexual healthcare'

NHS changes 'risk to sexual healthcare': Experts warn the NHS reorganisation could harm services BBC News

Doctors facing new era of checks

Doctors facing new era of checks: Five-yearly revalidation of doctors' skills will start from December, heralding the biggest shake-up in medical regulation for more than 150 years. BBC News

See also Department of Health

Next six months will be 'incredibly hazardous' for NHS, commissioning chief warns

Next six months will be 'incredibly hazardous' for NHS, commissioning chief warns: The next six months will be 'incredibly hazardous' for the NHS in England, the head of two Commissioning Support Units (CSUs) has warned. GP Online

Fifth of women still miss cervical screen

Fifth of women still miss cervical screen:

Older women less likely to have screening than a decade ago Related items from OnMedica New evidence supports a lower age for cervical cancer tests Huge rise in diagnosis of women’s cancer NICE recommends new cervical cancer diagnostic test Older women too embarrassed to go for smear tests Guideline to help GPs spot cervical cancer early

The importance of influenza vaccination for nurses and midwives

The importance of influenza vaccination for nurses and midwives: This open letter to nurses and midwives stresses the vital role that
nurses and midwives can play in ensuring that frontline staff are
vaccinated. It has been estimated that up to 1 in 4 healthcare workers
may become infected with influenza during a mild influenza season; staff
who have the vaccination will reduce the risk of passing on the virus
to vulnerable pregnant women.

• Letter
• NHS Employers - news

Engage toolkit for black and minority ethnic (BME) family carers

Engage toolkit for black and minority ethnic (BME) family carers: This toolkit toolkit is a resource to address barriers BME family carers face when accessing services. It is available to practitioners and a wide range of organisations who work in adult and children services. It will provide practical support and opportunities for joint
working between community groups, multi-agencies and the families themselves to ensure family carers are given the best practical support available. As a live toolkit, the website will share resources of events, community projects and appropriate policy and practice when working with BME family carers.

• Toolkit
• The Afiya Trust - news

'Chemical cosh' drugs given to 50pc more dementia patients than thought

'Chemical cosh' drugs given to 50pc more dementia patients than thought: 'Chemical cosh' drugs are being given to about 50 per cent more people with dementia than an official estimate had suggested, according to a new study. The Daily Telegraph

Anger at cost of NHS reforms

Anger at cost of NHS reforms: The NHS reforms will cost £300m more than expected, the Government has admitted. The Independent

Monitor urges the NHS foundation trust sector to deliver hospital cost savings earlier

Monitor urges the NHS foundation trust sector to deliver hospital cost savings earlier: The regulator Monitor is urging NHS foundation trusts to start delivering hospital cost savings earlier in the year in order to reduce their exposure to financial risk. The advice comes in the latest quarterly report on the health of the foundation trust sector, which now comprises two-thirds of all NHS secondary care providers running about 1,000 hospitals.
 

David Cameron enters hospital row

David Cameron enters hospital row: The prime minister enters a row between the Corby by-election candidates over the future of Kettering General Hospital. BBC Northampton

Hospital shake up could see more beds at Northampton

Hospital shake up could see more beds at Northampton: Northampton General Hospital could gain 100 beds in one of the scenarios being looked at by NHS bosses as they consider a shake-up of regional hospitals. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Health and social care at the party conferences: what does the mood music tell us?

Health and social care at the party conferences: what does the mood music tell us?: What conclusions can we draw from this year’s party conferences about the political and policy landscape for health and social care? At this stage in the political cycle, with the next general election three years away (barring a coalition crisis), we shouldn’t read too much into pronouncements aimed primarily at rallying the party faithful. Even the well-trailed speeches of the parties’ leaders register only fleetingly in public consciousness. But all parties are anxious to create the right mood music that will play well with public perceptions.

Obesity ops 'seen as quick fix'

Obesity ops 'seen as quick fix': Obesity surgery is often seen as a quick fix with proper consideration not always given to the risks, a review of cases in the UK shows. BBC News

NHS Confederation launches Hospitals Forum to provide strong voice on hospital based services

NHS Confederation launches Hospitals Forum to provide strong voice on hospital based services: The NHS Confederation today announces that it is launching a Hospitals Forum to provide a thoughtful, strong, and authoritative voice on the issues facing hospitals and acute services in the immediate and long term.

Can joint personal budgets help bridge the gap between health and social care provision?

Can joint personal budgets help bridge the gap between health and social care provision?: This new briefing from the NHS Confederation introduces joint personal budgets for health and social care. It gives the context behind their development, explains how they might work and lists some of the issues that need to be considered before they could be used at scale. Delivering integrated care is obviously hugely beneficial to the [read the full story...]

Where the heart is: a review of the older people's home care market in England

Where the heart is: a review of the older people's home care market in England: This report offers a picture of the current home care market, some of
the challenges it faces and a model for its future development.  It
aims to provide a basis for dialogue between commissioners, consumers
and providers about what home care services might look like in the
future.  It was written during the period of consultation on the
proposals put forward by the government in the 2012 care and support
white paper.

• Report
• IPC - publications

Increase in breastfeeding could save NHS £40m a year, according to report

Increase in breastfeeding could save NHS £40m a year, according to report: Research finds that breastfeeding for longer reduces rate of cancer, respiratory illness, ear infections and bowel diseases
The NHS could save at least £40m a year if more women were given help to breastfeed for longer, according to a new report.

Substantial restructuring is inevitable for foundation trusts

Substantial restructuring is inevitable for foundation trusts: Healthcare managers gathering for the Foundation Trust Network annual conference next week have some tough decisions ahead of them
Healthcare managers will be gathering for the Foundation Trust Network conference next week at a time of growing confusion as to how the health reforms are going to operate.

Deaths in England and Wales fall as mortality rate hits all-time low

Deaths in England and Wales fall as mortality rate hits all-time low: Death rates in England and Wales have fallen to their lowest recorded level, according to the latest figures. The Independent

Stigma of mental ill health is 'worse than the illness'

Stigma of mental ill health is 'worse than the illness':
It is the single biggest cause of disability in the Western world but many sufferers say the stigma attached to it is worse than the illness itself, according to researchers. The Independent

NICE-appraised medicines: new report shows apparent variation in use across NHS

NICE-appraised medicines: new report shows apparent variation in use across NHS: Use of NICE-appraised medicines in the NHS in England – 2010 and 2011 is the third review of use by the NHS in England of selected medicines appraised... NHS Information Centre

Cancer treatment unit officially opened

Cancer treatment unit officially opened: A state of the art cancer treatment facility officially opened at Northampton General Hospital last night. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Nurse council's two-year backlog

Nurse council's two-year backlog: The backlog in disciplinary cases for nurses and midwives will take more than two years to clear, the profession's regulator says. BBC News

Health MoTs 'offer no benefit'

Health MoTs 'offer no benefit': Visiting a doctor for a check-up is unlikely to lead to a condition needing treatment being identified, but may cause undue stress, say researchers. BBC News

GP-led self care pilot halves waits for physiotherapy

GP-led self care pilot halves waits for physiotherapy: Educating patients about how to manage musculoskeletal pain at home can slash waiting times for physiotherapy, a GP-led initiative has shown. GP Online

PCTs abandon funding for homeopathy

PCTs abandon funding for homeopathy: Only one in seven PCTs are now providing NHS funding for homeopathy as managers scrap support for it to focus on more cost-effective treatment, GP has found. GP Online

Sick doctors’ return to work hampered by colleagues’ disapproval

Sick doctors’ return to work hampered by colleagues’ disapproval:

Culture change needed to allow doctors to recognise their own and colleagues’ vulnerabilities Related items from OnMedica Doctors neglect their own health say experts Many GPs report ‘burn-out’ Health for Health Professionals Health for Health Professionals Health for Health Professionals

Understanding patterns of health and social care at the end of life

Understanding patterns of health and social care at the end of life:
This report presents the findings of a study tracking the ways that
more than 73,000 people used publicly funded health and social care
services during the last months of their lives. It reveals variation
between local areas in the care people receive at the end of life and
suggests that social care may prevent the need for hospital admission.

• Report
• Report summary
• The Nuffield Trust - news

Dementia guide: commitment to the care of people with dementia in hospital settings

Dementia guide: commitment to the care of people with dementia in hospital settings: This guide aims to help nursing staff care for people with dementia
in hospital. It supports further implementation of the RCN’s five
principles for improving the quality of care for people with dementia.
It also aims to enable the best possible support for carers.

• Guide
• Press release
• RCN - publications

New standards for hospital food

New standards for hospital food:
The Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has announced new standards for patients to expect from NHS hospital food.A list of standards which apply to food quality, nutrition and choice will be supported by a patient-led assessment system.They include patients' ability to choose from a "varied menu" which supports religious requirements, the availability of food and drink "at all times" rather than... Healthcare Today

Cancer network team cuts nonsensical, say campaigners

Cancer network team cuts nonsensical, say campaigners: Nine staff being made redundant and remaining three merged with another clinical network in Midlands
A team of specialist staff who help doctors improve cancer care is being scrapped as a result of the coalition's NHS overhaul, in a move condemned by cancer campaigners as "devastating" and "nonsensical".
The Greater Midlands cancer network team will stop operating as a back-up unit to doctors specialising in the disease after Wednesday because nine of its 12 staff are being made redundant as a result of NHS primary care trusts (PCTs) preparing for their own abolition next March.

Healthy eating? Hospital spends just £2.19 a day on patients' meals

Healthy eating? Hospital spends just £2.19 a day on patients' meals:
Dozens of hospitals trusts across the country are spending less than £5 a day on providing three meals for their patients, according to official statistics. The Independent

Recession caused depression spike – and NHS 'was not prepared'

Recession caused depression spike – and NHS 'was not prepared': Recession is being followed by depression, according to researchers who say the number of patients seeking treatment for the illness has leapt by up to half in the past three years. The Independent

Renewed focus on infection prevention needed

Renewed focus on infection prevention needed: A new report has called for a renewed focus on infection prevention and control services (IPS) across the NHS. RCN

Find the report on the Patient Association's web site.

NGH nurses launch 'Gangnam Style' video to promote Global Handwashing Day - Northampton Chronicle & Echo

NGH nurses launch 'Gangnam Style' video to promote Global Handwashing Day - Northampton Chronicle & Echo:

Northampton Chronicle & Echo

NGH nurses launch 'Gangnam Style' video to promote Global Handwashing Day Northampton Chronicle & Echo Staff at Northampton General Hospital have performed their own version of a dance phenomenon that has taken the world by storm to promote Global Handwashing Day. 'Gangnam Style' - the number one track from Korean rapper Psy - has sparked a global ... and more »

VIDEO: New ways of caring for the old

VIDEO: New ways of caring for the old: Mark Easton examines some of the radical solutions that are being tested across England to help tackle the elderly care crisis. BBC News

Why are the British so bad at washing their hands?

Why are the British so bad at washing their hands?: Why do we lie about washing our hands? BBC

NHS 24 takes new approach to telehealth

NHS 24 takes new approach to telehealth: NHS 24 has committed to launch all telehealth solutions on three channels - smartphones, tablets and digital TV. E-Health Insider

The 'Speaking Up' Charter launch signifies partnership working

The 'Speaking Up' Charter launch signifies partnership working: The 'Speaking Up' charter outlines a commitment by the NHS Employers organisation, regulators, professional regulatory bodies, health unions and professional associations to work together to support staff when raising a safety concern or issue at work. NHS Employers

NHS Confederation responds to National Voices 'Not the Francis Report'

NHS Confederation responds to National Voices 'Not the Francis Report': Mike Farrar says NHS Confederation agrees with much of what National Voices recommends and emphasises importance of Francis Report findings.

Not the Francis Report

Not the Francis Report: This report calls for greater urgency in improving patient safety and care quality. It warns that delays to the Francis Report could also create delays on improvements in care quality in the NHS and the report makes a number of recommendations for improving patient safety and the quality of patient care. These recommendations include greater patient and public involvement; the reorganisation of hospital services; and a
drive towards integrated primary care.

• Report
• National Voices - news

Having desk job 'doubles risk' of heart attack

Having desk job 'doubles risk' of heart attack:

‘Sitting for long periods increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease and death, researchers suggest’ BBC News reports.
The news is based on the findings of a review which summarised the results of all the observational studies that had looked at the association between the time spent sitting or lying down whilst awake (sedentary behaviour) and the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and death due to cardiovascular disease (such as heart attack) or any cause.

Patients need safe care 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Patients need safe care 24 hours a day, seven days a week: Fire services do not operate with slimmed down crews on Saturdays and Sundays, so why should hospitals?

NHS facing breast cancer 'timebomb'

NHS facing breast cancer 'timebomb': More than a million women will be living with disease within a generation and the NHS is not prepared, campaigners warn. The Daily Telegraph

Social care cuts 'could lead to higher NHS bills'

Social care cuts 'could lead to higher NHS bills': Dying people could end up in hospital sooner - and so cost taxpayers more - if cuts to social care services continue, a report warns today. The Daily Telegraph

'Hospital downgrade' claim row

'Hospital downgrade' claim row: The Labour Party candidate in the Corby by-election claims services at the local Kettering Hospital could be downgraded. BBC Northampton

Ambulance cuts meeting 'a joke'

Ambulance cuts meeting 'a joke': The first public meeting held over cuts to the ambulance service in Northamptonshire is described as "a joke" after eight people attend. BBC Northampton

KGH makes £7m payout to patients

KGH makes £7m payout to patients:
A hospital had to make £7m of payouts to patients due to medical mistakes last year. Evening Telegraph

More bed and mortuary places at NGH for winter - Northampton Chronicle & Echo

More bed and mortuary places at NGH for winter - Northampton Chronicle & Echo:

Northampton Chronicle & Echo

More bed and mortuary places at NGH for winter Northampton Chronicle & Echo Northampton General Hospital has published its seasonal plan as it hopes to head off the sort of problems increased numbers of very ill patients have caused in recent winters, mainly from flu and emergencies. It says increased preparations will include ...