Monday 8 October 2012

Top GP backs Healthier Together proposals

Top GP backs Healthier Together proposals:
A senior member from the group that will be responsible for buying healthcare for the county has backed the controversial Healthier Together proposals. Evening Telegraph

Hospital staff shortage targeted after report - Northampton Chronicle & Echo

Hospital staff shortage targeted after report - Northampton Chronicle & Echo:

Northampton Chronicle & Echo
Hospital staff shortage targeted after report
Northampton Chronicle & Echo
Patients' needs have not been properly met all the time because of staff shortages at Northampton General Hospital, an inspection report says. The Care Quality Commission visited NGH in July after two people had contacted the watchdog since April ...

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Rarer diseases ‘neglected’ by NHS

Rarer diseases ‘neglected’ by NHS:
This neglect leads to reduced quality of life for affected individuals and increased costs for the NHS, the benefits system, employers and patients, says the report, which has been produced by the 2020Health policy think tank, based on the findings of a recent roundtable which brought together health policymakers, GPs, politicians and senior academics. NHS Networks

'Extend doctors' pay freeze' call

'Extend doctors' pay freeze' call: Doctors' pay should be frozen for the third year in a row, the body NHS Employers says. BBC News

PM announces new £140m NHS fund

PM announces new £140m NHS fund: Prime Minister David Cameron announces £140m towards new technology and training for NHS nurses over-burdened by paperwork. BBC News

Congo fever man dies in hospital

Congo fever man dies in hospital: A 38-year-old man who was diagnosed with Crimean-Congo Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (CCVHF) after flying into Glasgow dies in hospital. BBC News

No plan for new abortion law - PM

No plan for new abortion law - PM: The government has "no plans" to bring in new laws governing when a women can legally have an abortion, Prime Minister David Cameron says. BBC News

Video: Social media can transform healthcare, RCGP debate hears

Video: Social media can transform healthcare, RCGP debate hears: Few GPs would follow Professor Clare Gerada's example and give patients their mobile telephone numbers or email addresses, the annual RCGP conference heard today. GP Online

Service users play vital role in improvements

Service users play vital role in improvements: This case study from Bradford District Care Trust demonstrates how involving service users in the process of improvement has been central to work learning disabilities teams have done on the productive mental health ward.  Improvements achieved include a 10% reduction in falls and
improving staff well being levels to 97%.

The future of community pharmacy in England

The future of community pharmacy in England: This report from independent management consultants A. T. Kearney looks at the impact of some of the key challenges facing community pharmacies, including the squeeze on healthcare budgets, intensifying competition and patient demand for convenience and expertise. It suggests some business strategies for pharmacies to follow and identifies seven enablers that the consultants believe will be crucial for the sector’s future.

Patients starve and die of thirst on hospital wards

Patients starve and die of thirst on hospital wards: Forty-three patients starved to death last year and 111 died of thirst while being treated on wards, new figures show. The Daily Telegraph

Geriatric and mental health wards threatened by NHS cuts

Geriatric and mental health wards threatened by NHS cuts: David Cameron faces a growing backlash against NHS cuts and the closure of A&E departments as it emerges that specialist dementia, mental health and geriatric wards are also under threat. The Daily Telegraph

Doctors raise concerns over A&E reforms in open letter to Prime Minister

Doctors raise concerns over A&E reforms in open letter to Prime Minister:
A group of 140 senior doctors have written to David Cameron expressing their alarm over proposals to close and reconfigure accident and emergency units around the country. The Independent

Flu jabs are postponed as vaccine is withdrawn

Flu jabs are postponed as vaccine is withdrawn:
GP surgeries across the country are having to postpone flu jabs for patients because of a shortage of vaccine. Crucell, the global pharmaceutical company based in the Netherlands, said it had stopped all supplies because of "an unexpected test result". The Independent

RCN launches guidance on staffing for nurses working with older people

RCN launches publications for nurses working with older people: The Royal College of Nursing has launched new guidance on staffing levels for nursing staff working with older people.