Social care services 'at risk'

Social care services 'at risk': Budget cuts of up to £85m would put severe pressure on Northamptonshire's adult and children's social care services, a report finds. BBC Northamptonshire

A mounting case for change, but will it drive change in a 'liberated NHS'?

A mounting case for change, but will it drive change in a 'liberated NHS'?: Less than two weeks ago, we said that the current health and social care system is not fit to meet current and future demands and requires radical reform.

Now the publication from the Royal College of Physicians, Hospitals on the edge? Time for action, – and hot on its heels, The state of medical education and practice in the UK, from the General Medical Council – provide further compelling evidence for the need for change. In essence both these reports describe a fundamental misalignment of the medical workforce, and the way in which care is organised, with the needs of the patients. The RCP report in particular makes salutary reading.

Dental mouth cancer checks urged

Dental mouth cancer checks urged: More dentists need to be checking their patients for mouth cancer, say experts. BBC News

Incapacity benefits appeals heap unpaid work upon GPs

Incapacity benefits appeals heap unpaid work upon GPs: Practices have faced a huge surge in unfunded work in the past 18 months as thousands of patients ask for help with benefits appeals, GP leaders say. GP Online

CCGs plan to limit private sector role

CCGs plan to limit private sector role: Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are planning to add clauses to their constitutions to limit the role of private providers, GP can reveal. GP Online

Care and support at home

Care and support at home: The Good Governance Institute has published a report into out of hospital care. 'Care and support at home: an audit of telecare services in England' examines how care services in the future need to be developed. It provides a number of recommendations aimed at Government and local authority officials about how telecare services and user outcomes can be improved. It is targeted at policy-makers, local authority councillors with an interest in adult social care, local authority directors of adult social services, and health and wellbeing board members. Its purpose is to encourage decision-makers to understand the current provision of telecare services in England and how services can be improved for the future.

Report: http://www.good-governance.org.uk/Product%20Menus/audit-of-telecare-services-in-england.htm 

Good Governance Institute

Atlas of Variation in healthcare for people with respiratory disease

Atlas of Variation in healthcare for people with respiratory disease: Right Care has produced a new themed Atlas which highlights variation in care for people with respiratory disease. The indicators presented in this document underline the substantial scope clinicians and commissioners have to improve outcomes by ensuring that all patients receive the quality of care that is delivered in the best-performing localities.

GMC trialling new system to improve how complaints against doctors are investigated

GMC trialling new system to improve how complaints against doctors are investigated: A new system to improve how complaints against doctors are investigated is to be trialled by the General Medical Council (GMC), it was announced today.

More support needed for smokeless tobacco cessation in South Asian communities, says new NICE guidance

More support needed for smokeless tobacco cessation in South Asian communities, says new NICE guidance: NICE has published final guidance on providing support for people in South Asian communities on stopping the use of  smokeless tobacco products, such as Paan, Gutka, Shupari, and Betel Quid.  Contrary to perceptions that these types of products are healthy or beneficial, they are in fact associated with serious health problems such as oral cancer, serious dental problems, heart attack and stroke, and problems in pregnancy.

New 'SARS-like' virus detected

New 'SARS-like' virus detected:

A new “SARS-like” virus has been detected in the UK, according to widespread media reports. The headlines are based on press releases from the UK’s Health Protection Agency (HPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Coroners make record number of recommendations to NHS

Coroners make record number of recommendations to NHS: Coroners have issued a record numbers of recommendations to hospitals in order to prevent future patient deaths. The Daily Telegraph

Nurse and midwife total falls by 6,000

Nurse and midwife total falls by 6,000: The number of nurses and midwives working in the NHS has fallen by almost 6,000 in two years, figures show. The Independent

Cardiologist struck off for molesting young boys

Cardiologist struck off for molesting young boys:
An internationally renowned former Great Ormond Street cardiologist has been struck off the medical register after he was found guilty of molesting young boys. The Independent

New features to be added to mental health report following successful consultation

New features to be added to mental health report following successful consultation: The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) is to further enhance one of its biggest annual mental health reports following a successful con... NHS Information Centre