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