Almost £70,000 owed by patients

Almost £70,000 owed by patients:
A hospital has written off almost £70,000 from overseas patients who have not paid their bills over the past four years. Evening Telegraph

Hospice recognised for its excellent care

Hospice recognised for its excellent care:
Lakelands in Corby has become the first hospice in the country to receive an award for the quality of care it gives patients at the end of their life. Evening Telegraph

Maternal mental health pathway aims to provide a structured approach

Maternal mental health pathway aims to provide a structured approach:
New guidance provides a structured approach on common issues associated with maternal mental health and wellbeing, from pregnancy through the early months after the birth.

AUDIO: Bupa members 'can no longer afford premiums'

AUDIO: Bupa members 'can no longer afford premiums': The UK's biggest health insurer has warned that treatment costs have become so expensive that hundreds of thousands of people are abandoning private medical cover. Dr Natalie-Jane McDonald, the managing director of BUPA's UK Business, gives her reaction. BBC News

Plain cigarette packs review ends

Plain cigarette packs review ends: A UK-wide consultation on government plans to introduce mandatory plain packaging for tobacco, which attracted strong interest, will close later. BBC News

GPs back training to address inequalities for LGB patients

GPs back training to address inequalities for LGB patients: All GP practice staff should receive training to address health inequalities faced by lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) patients, a consultation event with members of the RCGP, BMA and GMC concluded this month. GP Online

The ICO - having a fine time

Having a fine time: The Information Commissioner's Office certainly has teeth these days and it is not afraid to use them. "I think we are showing that in our recent activity," acknowledges ICO head of enforcement Stephen Eckersley. E-Health Insider

Consultation launched on proposed new regulations to protect healthcare workers against sharps injuries

Consultation launched on proposed new regulations to protect healthcare workers against sharps injuries: The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has today opened a three month consultation on the proposal to introduce new regulations to protect workers in the hospital and healthcare sector against sharps injuries. NHS Employers

CCGs told to hone their business skills for managing support services contracts

CCGs told to hone their business skills for managing support services contracts:

Enter the world of customer/supplier transactions and rigorous evaluation of value for money Related items from OnMedica DoH stresses importance of localism in commissioning Do older GPs have a role as back office managers? NHS Clinical Commissioners launched Four key commissioning functions to be centralised CCG development under threat as GPs “bullied” and “micromanaged”

What can CCGs learn from the Winterbourne scandal?

What can CCGs learn from the Winterbourne scandal?:

Commissioners must monitor services and feedback to ensure services are being delivered to the right standards
The serious case review of the Winterbourne View hospital scandal has powerful messages for commissioners and providers of care in the reformed NHS.

NHS trust wins intervention ruling over man's life-prolonging treatment

NHS trust wins intervention ruling over man's life-prolonging treatment:
A health trust won a court ruling today that medical staff do not have to forcibly give a seriously ill man the life-prolonging treatment he is resisting. The Independent