New style of NHS leadership could deliver better patient care and financial performance says The King’s Fund review

A year-long review carried out by The King's Fund argues that a new style of leadership in the NHS could deliver lower mortality, better patient experience and outcomes, and financial savings.

The management of adult diabetes services in the NHS

The management of adult diabetes services in the NHS: Diabetes care in the NHS is poor, with low achievement of treatment standards, high numbers of avoidable deaths and annual spending reaching an estimated £3.9 billion. National Audit Office

Chronic pain under-treated - NICE

Chronic pain under-treated - NICE: Many patients with advanced cancer and other debilitating conditions are being "under-treated" for their pain, according to new guidance. Video coverage here  BBC News

'Emerging hospital bug' warning

'Emerging hospital bug' warning: Rates of hospital-acquired infections such as MRSA are going down but figures suggest other bacteria are an emerging problem in England. BBC News

PCTs fail to invest in extra cancer tests

PCTs fail to invest in extra cancer tests: Half of PCTs are failing to invest in extra cancer tests despite long waiting times, putting plans to improve NHS cancer outcomes at risk. GP Online

Final death knell for HealthSpace

Final death knell for HealthSpace: The NHS's own health organiser, HealthSpace, has been confirmed as an unlikely casualty of the NHS information strategy, published earlier this week. E-Health Insider

Mortality among inpatients with diabetes

Mortality among inpatients with diabetes: Diabetes Health Intelligence has conducted an analysis of mortality among inpatients with diabetes. The study used data on over 13 million hospital admissions to assess case-mix and risk factors for inpatient mortality and identify trust level variation in the risk of an inpatient with diabetes dying. The key finding from the study was that inpatients with diabetes are 10% more likely to die than those without the condition.

Stuck at home: the impact of day service cuts on people with a learning disability

Stuck at home: the impact of day service cuts on people with a learning disability:
This report finds that nearly a third of local authorities have closed day services in the last three years which results in one in four adults with a learning disability now spending less than one hour a day outside of their home due to these cuts.

• Report
• Mencap - press release

NICE guideline to standardise opioid use in palliative care and address patient's concerns

NICE guideline to standardise opioid use in palliative care and address patients? concerns: A new clinical guideline published today (23 May) by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), will help ensure safe and consistent prescribing of opioids as a first-line treatment option to relieve pain for patients receiving palliative care for chronic or incurable illnesses. NICE

NHS education reforms 'lack detail' - The Press Association

NHS education reforms 'lack detail' - The Press Association:

NHS education reforms 'lack detail' The Press Association The Government's plans to reform education and training in the NHS are unclear and lack detail, MPs have warned. The health select committee said the success of Health Education England (HEE), which will oversee the training across services in England, ... GP training plans lack crucial detail, MPs sayGP online MPs criticise delays in education and training reformHealth Service Journal all 3 news articles »

Health watchdog: extend IVF treatment to older women

Health watchdog: extend IVF treatment to older women: Sir Andrew Dillon, the CEO of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) explains why the NHS should provide IVF to women over 40 and same-sex couples. The Daily Telegraph

Health care assistants 'must be registered' say MPs

Health care assistants 'must be registered' say MPs: Patients are being put at risk because health care assistants (HCAs) who make serious mistakes are not banned from the profession, MPs warn today. The Daily Telegraph

Diabetes timebomb: Only half of NHS patients receiving acceptable care

Diabetes timebomb: Only half of NHS patients receiving acceptable care:
Sweeping variations in standards of care for diabetic patients is costing thousands of lives and wasting tens of millions of pounds every year, the government’s spending watchdog reveals. The Independent

Patients to get choice of where they have medical tests

Patients to get choice of where they have medical tests:
Patients will be able to choose where they have essential medical tests under a new scheme announced today. The Independent